14:40 Exeter

Wednesday 2 February 2022

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:45

Virgin Bet Mares' Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 1)

Off time: 14:44 | Winning time: 4m 15.69s

Firefly Lane¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Reed| T: J D Frost

150/1

Little impact both starts in bumpers and predictably struggled both starts over hurdles more recently. Can only be watched.

Form: 4099

Flying Sara⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber| BF

1/1

Dual bumper winner who has hit the frame both starts in listed mare's contests in that sphere upon returning this winter. Not at very best latest but she's an interesting hurdle debutante nevertheless

Form: 1/1-24

Lady Ironside¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Houlihan| T: C J Gray| OR: 71

200/1

Fair maiden on Flat in Ireland, but well beaten both completed starts in this sphere to date.

Form: 0F08

Midnight Callisto^p,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 104

11/8

Bumper winner who has showed fair form over hurdles, placed in handicaps at Taunton/Wincanton (at around 2m) of late. Had plenty of chances already but entitled to be in the mix on balance.

Form: 48-6423

Parisian Blue¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

13/2

Getaway mare who offered some promise in a couple of bumpers but sloppy jumping hasn't aided her cause so far over hurdles. In excellent hands but she may need more time.

Form: 3-6P5

Salcombe²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard

12/1

Runner-up on first of 2 starts in bumpers and showed more than on hurdles bow when fourth of 8 in a mares' maiden at Hereford (21.7f) last month. Drops back in trip now and handicaps more her bag.

Form: 27P4

Talk Of The Moon⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

25/1

Shaped like a stayer on first of 2 starts in bumpers and never threatened on hurdles bow here (18.5f) in December. Another who may do better once sent handicapping in due course.

Form: 496

The Height Of Fame^p1³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Stan Sheppard| T: Kieran Burke

150/1

Hinted at ability in the third of 3 starts in bumpers, but yet to complete over hurdles, always behind and pulled up in a mares' novice at Wincanton (15.2f) on Boxing Day.

Form: 58-6UP

Non-Runners

Briery Express¹⁰³⁵

Weight: 11-6| Age: 9

T: Noel Williams J: H Cobden

Ma Belle Noire⁷³

Weight: 11-6| Age: 5

T: H Fry J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Flying Sara (1/1), Midnight Callisto (11/8), Ma Belle Noire (5/1), Parisian Blue (13/2), Briery Express (13/2), Salcombe (12/1), Talk Of The Moon (25/1), The Height Of Fame (150/1), Firefly Lane (150/1), Lady Ironside (200/1)

A dual, fairly useful winner in bumpers, FLYING SARA has acquitted herself with credit in a pair of listed contests in that sphere this winter and she could be the way to go now hurdling in a race lacking depth. Ma Belle Noire should come on for her hurdles debut effort at Uttoxeter and is a threat, along with Midnight Callisto who boasts the benefit of plenty of experience.