11:52 Wetherby

Monday 26 December 2022

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

William Hill Epic Value Mares' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 11:52 | Winning time: 5m 9.90s

Queens Rock³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: R T Dunne| T: N J Henderson

10/11

Runner-up only start in Irish points and also hit the crossbar in a Ffos Las bumper on Rules debut in April. Duly landed the odds switched to hurdles on return at Southwell (15.8f, soft) and she possesses plenty of potential.

Form: 22-1

Bowland Belle³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies

40/1

Decent jumps pedigree and offered something to work on starting out in a bumper here last month. Probably more one for the longer term.

Form: 5

Darsi's Darling³²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

66/1

Promise on first of 2 starts in bumpers but found wanting for speed when well held on hurdles debut over 2m here back in February. Handicaps likely more her bag in due course.

Form: 386-

First Venture⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: T Symonds

33/1

Narrow winner of sole start between the flags but her lost action when pulled up on Hereford hurdles debut last month.

Form: 1-P

Micronormous²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: D Pipe

11/4

Won 14-runner bumper at Exeter on Rules debut last month and didn't shape at all badly when third on subsequent hurdles bow at Wincanton (21.4f, good to soft), staying on. Likely improver.

Form: 3-13

Nell's Bells²⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: D McCain Jnr

9/2

Confirmed bumper debut promise in no uncertain terms when scoring in good style at Carlisle last December. Subsequently well held in listed/Grade 2 company but it's too soon to forget the promise she showed at Carlisle and worth a second look now tackling hurdles.

Form: 4/180-

Perculator⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford

14/1

Came good at the third time of asking in bumpers at Carlisle (17.2f, heavy) in October, showing a good attitude under the conditions. Ultimately well held on subsequent hurdles debut at Hexham but likely to leave that form behind in due course.

Form: 6-215

Visite Officielle^p,t³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond

18/1

Fair stayer on Flat who showed a bit sent hurdling in cheekpieces/tongue strap at Catterick 38 days ago, though her jumping needs improvement.

Form: 5

Forecasts

Queens Rock (10/11), Micronormous (11/4), Nell's Bells (9/2), Perculator (14/1), Visite Officielle (18/1), First Venture (33/1), Bowland Belle (40/1), Darsi's Darling (66/1)

QUEENS ROCK probably didn't beat a great deal on her Southwell hurdling debut last month but she possesses plenty of potential to improve, so gets the vote to defy a penalty with this longer trip likely to suit. Micronormous made an encouraging start in this sphere at Wincanton recently and rates the main threat ahead of Nell's Bells.