12:27 Wetherby

Sunday 26 December 2021

All11:5212:2713:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

William Hill Play Responsibly Mares' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:28 | Winning time: 5m 24.76s

Just Jess¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 109

10/1

Much improved on the back of a breathing operation when winning 7-runner novice hurdle at Hexham (16.2f, heavy) 18 days ago, easily. Open to more progress back up in trip.

Form: 07PP-1

Ballybough Mary²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| BF

9/2

Point scorer who showed fairly useful bumper form and offered some encouragement sent hurdling until the lack of a recent run told when fifth at Leicester (20.5f) 24 days ago. Should do better.

Form: 12120-5

Fonzerelli¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| BF

7/1

Won sole start in Irish points and left Rules debut form well behind after 10 months off when second in a Carlisle bumper. Not in same form there last time but is bred to do well over hurdles.

Form: 16-24

Galia Des Liteaux⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

15/8

£70,000 5-y-o, Saddler Maker mare. Dam lightly-raced hurdler/maiden chaser. Won her sole start in Irish points in October and has subsequently joined a top yard, so warrants plenty of respect.

Form: 1

Sashenka⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: M Scudamore| OR: 120

5/2

Fairly useful stayer on Flat and again knocked on the door over hurdles when beaten only by one on a roll at Hereford in October. Not at her best in a deeper race at Cheltenham but can bounce back.

Form: 23F2-20

Sheila Nash⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: H Whittington

25/1

Bumper winner who showed some aptitude for hurdling on return at Sedgefield but broke blood vessel at Plumpton next time. Goes back up in trip.

Form: 2/U10-40

Shighness³²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Billy Garritty| T: Micky Hammond| C

33/1

Much improved to get off the mark at the fourth attempt in bumpers here (2m) last month, staying on to lead final 50 yds. That form is only ordinary though, so further progress required now hurdling.

Form: 956-1

Taragrace⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr

40/1

Placed on completed start in Irish points. Offered something to work on when seventh of 18 in an Aintree bumper on Rules debut, but could run to only a similar level on her Huntingdon hurdle debut.

Form: 3-F75

Non-Runners

Jen's Georgie²⁷⁷

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: S Drinkwater J: Sean Quinlan

Forecasts

Galia Des Liteaux (15/8), Sashenka (5/2), Ballybough Mary (9/2), Fonzerelli (7/1), Just Jess (10/1), Sheila Nash (25/1), Shighness (33/1), Taragrace (40/1), Jen's Georgie (66/1)

GALIA DES LITEAUX, a £70,000 purchase after winning her sole point in October, looks to have been found a good starting point over hurdles by her top yard and is preferred to standard-setter Sashenka, who can be expected to bounce back to top form now returning to calmer waters. Ballybough Mary has the scope on bumper form to leave her opening effort in this sphere behind and is also a threat.