Pertemps Network Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 3m 49.9s

Ginger Du Val^h,t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 99| D

11/4

Two bumper wins in France. Back on track over hurdles for this yard lately, gaining reward for her consistency with victory in 2m maiden at Newton Abbot 13 days ago. Penalty makes life tougher.

Form: 7-22321

Blue Bikini¹⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

9/2

Made the frame on 3 of her 4 starts in bumpers for Stuart Edmunds and could improve on that form now going hurdling for new stable.

Form: 4023-

Cup Of Coffee^t²⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Alain Cawley| T: S Drinkwater

15/2

Didn't show that much in 2 bumpers but was in process of making a promising start over hurdles when falling 2 out (going best at time) at Catterick over Christmas. Open to improvement.

Form: 9/FF-

Distant Universe^h1¹⁹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: A Carson

400/1

Well beaten in bumpers and a similar story when pulled up on Huntingdon hurdle debut in March. Hooded for 1st time.

Form: 8/70P-

Luckello¹¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: David England| T: O Murphy

66/1

Disappointed bearing in mind debut promise when only sixth of 9 in bumper at Newton Abbot (16.8f, good) 111 days ago. Goes hurdling now and handicaps may be more her bag further down the line.

Form: 46

Merry Mistress¹²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: David Dennis| D

4/1

Fair 2m bumper winner who posted encouraging fourth in 2m maiden at Worcester on hurdles bow. Possibly failed to stay 2½m at Uttoxeter next time and now drops back in trip on debut for new yard.

Form: 1785-45

Whispering Gypsy^h¹⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| DWS

2/1

Improved on Irish bumper form when making winning start for Dan Skelton in AW event at Lingfield in February. Has bled both starts over hurdles subsequently though, and undergone wind surgery.

Form: 5431P2-

Forecasts

Whispering Gypsy (2/1), Ginger Du Val (11/4), Merry Mistress (4/1), Blue Bikini (9/2), Cup Of Coffee (15/2), Luckello (66/1), Distant Universe (400/1)

CUP OF COFEE has a 9-month absence to overcome, but she looked poised to play a major role when departing at the second last on her Catterick hurdles debut in December and can make amends if returning in similar form. Blue Bikini could improve on her modest bumper form now going hurdling for a new stable, while Merry Mistress remains capable of better back down in trip.