15:35 Wincanton

Thursday 2 February 2023

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3516:1016:45

JenningsBet Newbury EBF Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 5m 24.41s

Annie Magic^t1³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 119| BF| CD

6/5

Irish point winner has finished runner-up either side of her C&D novice success in December, though admittedly wasted what looked a good opportunity on handicap debut by hanging badly left. Nevertheless, much respected back into novice company.

Form: U31-212

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Fairy Gem^p,t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 110

12/1

Twice placed at listed level in bumpers last season but perhaps slightly underwhelming over hurdles so far, taking advantage of a weak race to get off the mark at the third attempt at Hereford last time. Will need to be closer to her bumper form here to deft penalty.

Form: 123-641

Ilovethenightlife³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 115

4/1

Made successful hurdles debut at Ffos Las in October and showed improved form when 10¾ lengths third of 8 to Credrojava in listed hurdle at Taunton (16.5f, good to soft) 34 days ago. Expected to be bang there.

Form: 40-153

Phillapa Sue^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Kielan Woods| T: F O'Brien| OR: 112| BF

20/1

Placed both starts in novice hurdles last season and made a successful handicap debut on return at Hereford in November. Possibly amiss when beaten favourite at Kelso last time and has a slight question to answer after that showing.

Form: 2U/23-17

Dana's Gem²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill

200/1

Hinted at ability when well-beaten third of 13 in mares novice hurdle here (15.2f) on Boxing Day but showed nothing when upped in trip at Huntingdon last time. Others preferred.

Form: 37

Fortuna Ligna^t⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball

15/2

Progressed with each run in bumpers (placed in listed contest at Cheltenham final start) and made a perfectly encouraging debut in this sphere when fourth in a Plumpton maiden (20.5f) 44 days ago. Better to come and needs taking seriously.

Form: 5-234

Great Snow⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N P Mulholland

25/1

Promise in bumpers and shaped like a stayer when third on hurdles debut at Ludlow over 21.3f in December, picking up a couple of places after the last. Frame claims if progressing here.

Form: 6-63

I Giorni^t⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: A J Honeyball

200/1

Successful on her only start in Irish points but failed to see her race out after looking a threat in a Chepstow bumper on debut. Well held on hurdles debut at Leicester last time and needs to leave that form behind.

Form: 1-76

Lime Avenue^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

4/1

Impressive bumper winner on debut at Chepstow in October. Failed to land the odds when second over C&D on hurdles bow and went backwards from that effort when fifth at Exeter on New Year's Day. Nevertheless, still too early to write her off.

Form: 125

Somespring Special⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball

250/1

Runner-up sole start in points but didn't last out on her Rules debut at Exeter (23.1f) in November. Down in trip.

Form: 2P

Forecasts

Annie Magic (6/5), Lime Avenue (4/1), Ilovethenightlife (4/1), Fortuna Ligna (15/2), Fairy Gem (12/1), Phillapa Sue (20/1), Great Snow (25/1), I Giorni (200/1), Dana's Gem (200/1), Somespring Special (250/1)

ILOVETHENIGHTLIFE ran well in listed company last time and is fancied to continue her progress dropped back into novice company. Annie Magic scored over C&D in December and holds strong claims, while improvement is anticipated from Fortuna Ligna on her second hurdles start.