Hogmanay Ball At Western House Hotel Mares' Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 5m 14.1s

Fiadh¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Oakley Brown⁽⁵⁾| T: C Grant

9/4

Took another step forward after 4 months off to get off the mark at the third attempt in bumpers at Hexham (16.2f) 16 days ago. Makes hurdles debut now up in trip and one to consider.

Form: 5U-31

Granny Mags¹⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith

50/1

Runner-up on second of 2 starts in point bumpers (Mar 29). Is bred to be a stayer and shaped in kind when a well-held fourth in a Stratford bumper in May. Since left Ms Georgina Nicholls.

Form: 62-4

Silver Star Mix^h1,t³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Edward Austin⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith

250/1

Maiden pointer who could hardly have shown any less when pulled up in a novice hurdle at Perth in September. Hood quickly added to tongue tie.

Form: 63/7U-P

The Player Queen¹⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin

8/13

Successful in her only point and ran to a fairly useful level to make a winning start under Rules in a Cheltenham bumper in May. Subsequently sold out of Mel Rowley's yard for £140,000. Player.

Form: 11-

Worldly Approach⁴¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: R M Smith

50/1

Behind in bumpers/both starts over hurdles. Has left John Joseph Hanlon.

Form: 6/00088-

Maura Jeanne¹⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: I A Duncan

11/2

Improved on debut form after 11 weeks off when second of 13 in bumper at Perth (16.2f, good) in June, best work finish. Goes hurdling now up in trip and may do better again.

Form: 5-2

Non-Runners

Miss Milano

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: N G Richards J: Danny McMenamin

Forecasts

The Player Queen (8/13), Fiadh (9/4), Miss Milano (7/2), Maura Jeanne (11/2), Granny Mags (50/1), Worldly Approach (50/1), Silver Star Mix (250/1)

THE PLAYER QUEEN looks a promising recruit to hurdling having been acquired for £140,000 following a Cheltenham bumper success for Mel Rowley and should take plenty of beating starting out at a realistic level in this sphere. Miss Milano makes some appeal on paper for a good yard, so is a debutante to note, while recent Hexham bumper scorer Fiadh also merits consideration.