15:40 Hereford

Monday 16 January 2023

All13:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:10

Cazoo Mares' Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:44 | Winning time: 4m 13.2s

Fay Ce Que Voudras⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 102

16/5

Left low-key bumper exploits behind when second on hurdles debut at Ludlow in March 2021. First outing since when chasing home the useful Kateira (winner again since) in a Uttoxeter (15.8f, soft) novice in November and she's open to improvement now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 872/2

Minniemum^h²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: T J O'Brien| T: H D Daly| OR: 99

11/4

From a good family and showed improved form when third in the Uttoxeter novice won by Kateira in November, coming home around 3 lengths adrift of the re-opposing Fay Ce Que Voudras. No further progress when fifth at Ludlow next time, though, and more needed now handicapping.

Form: 420-435

Lady Gwen¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 96

10/3

Raised her game when second in a Ffos Las novice in October and wasn't disgraced when fourth of 9 on recent handicap bow at Newbury (16.3f, soft) where she didn't see things out as well as one would've hoped. Still, she's 3 lb lower here and should have a part to play.

Form: 52-5254

Stamina Chope²²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dave Roberts| OR: 93

33/1

Opened chase account off 1 lb lower at Sedgefield last spring but she's 0-14 in this sphere and is opposable back from a 7-month break.

Form: 5U21-33

Crem Fresh⁴⁰⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: David Prichard⁽⁵⁾| T: F Brennan| OR: 89

22/1

Showed improved form on handicap debut when second at Fakenham in May 2021. Built on that when again hitting the crossbar on sole start last season but she's entitlted to need the run following over a year off.

Form: 58P6/22-

Asa⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 102| BF

5/1

Encouraging third on hurdles debut at Toulouse last summer, and backed that effort up on UK debut when a clear second in a 15.5f Leicester juvenile for Richard Hobson in November. Leading claims on debut for another new yard here.

Form: 32

Sa Alors¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: James Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 85

8/1

Proved that ability remains intact following a lengthy absence when fifth of 14 in a 19f Warwick handicap recently. Dropping back in trip here will help and place possibilities if able to build on that effort.

Form: 96/633-5

Doctor Dotty^t⁵⁹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 82

40/1

Signs of ability on just one of her 3 starts over hurdles for Polly Walker in 2021 and probably best watched on debut for new yard/handicap bow following a 19-month absence.

Form: 07605/6-

Call Me Sainte^h¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: C Gethings| T: N J Hawke| OR: 75

25/1

Hasn't shown much in 4 starts to date, including when returning from a lengthy absence at Exeter recently. Big step forwarded needed on this handicap debut.

Form: 060/9

Jesse's Lady³⁰³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: K Brogan| T: A Wintle| OR: 69

66/1

Hinted at ability in 2 runs over hurdles in 2019/20 for Bernard Llewellyn. However, didn't show much for Deborah Faulkner following a significant layoff last season and it's hard to envisage her faring any better starting out for another new yard here.

Form: 58/900P-

Intriguing Lady^t⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Bryan Carver| T: N J Hawke| OR: 76

40/1

Essentially exposed as a poor maiden in this sphere and looks up against it from 11 lb out of the weights.

Form: 336553

Non-Runners

Woodford Bridge²⁶

Weight: 10-2| Age: 7

T: C Hobson J: Benjamin Poste

Forecasts

Minniemum (11/4), Fay Ce Que Voudras (16/5), Lady Gwen (10/3), Asa (5/1), Sa Alors (8/1), Crem Fresh (22/1), Call Me Sainte (25/1), Stamina Chope (33/1), Intriguing Lady (40/1), Doctor Dotty (40/1), Woodford Bridge (50/1), Jesse's Lady (66/1)

It's likely that there's further improvement to come from the lightly-raced FAY CE QUE VOUDRAS, who took a step forward back from a 20-month absence when chasing home a useful mare at Uttoxeter. She makes her handicap bow off what looks a workable mark and gets the nod ahead of Asa, who was just touched off on her first run on these shores at Leicester and is armed with a handy weight-for-age allowance now handicapping. Of the others, Sa Alors is one of the more appealing each-way options.