15:00 Kelso

Saturday 25 March 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

BetVictor Herring Queen Series Final Mares' Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 4m 3.23s

Autumn Return⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: P W Wadge⁽⁵⁾| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 113| BF| D

7/2

Landed a bumper at Ayr in the spring and created a good impression when following up on Market Rasen hurdle debut in September. Double her tally in this sphere in decisive fashion at Catterick prior to finding only one too good on handicap debut at Newcastle (16.9f). Respected off same mark.

Form: 1-14612

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Notnowlinda³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 111| BF| D

28/1

Winning Irish pointer who displayed a willing attitude when making successful hurdles debut at Warwick. Resumed winning ways back in calmer waters at Catterick in December but shaped as if amiss when well backed on handicap debut at Market Rasen last time. Back down in trip.

Form: 33-1716

Jane Du Berlais⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: R Potter| OR: 111| D

5/1

Looked a bright prospect when winning on first completed start over hurdles at Lingfield (2m) in December. Found out under a penalty at Wetherby but remains with potential now switching to handicaps.

Form: 5-S13

Bonttay^p1¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 110| D

6/4

Triple bumper winner who confirmed her hurdling debut promise when drawing clear from a subsequent winner in a Exeter maiden last month. Left with too much to do when runner-up at Market Rasen (18.6f) since and her opening mark could easily underestimate her. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 11-2212

Walk Of No Shame¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 107| BF| D

15/2

Off the mark in a Warwick bumper in November and left hurdling debut form behind to land 2m Lingfield novice last month. Failed to meet expectations under a penalty at Wincanton but perhaps found the emphasis too much on speed. Makes handicap debut.

Form: 331512

Midnight Shuffle^p1²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 106| CD

16/1

Bumper winner at Kelso in 2021 who came on plenty for hurdling debut when runner-up at Sedgefield in January and needed only to match that form to go one better at Musselburgh (15.5f) last month. Faced a stiff task upped markedly in trip at Doncaster (24.4f) since. Cheekpieces on for handicap bow.

Form: 71-5214

Lacila Blue³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: C O'Farrell| T: N W Alexander| OR: 98

50/1

Showed more than previously when third of 8 to Midnight Shuffle in a novice at Musselburgh (15.6f, soft) last month but appears to have been handed a stiff opening mark on the back of that.

Form: 84-593

Dime Store Cowgirl^t1⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 89| BF| D

16/1

Built on earlier promise when making a winning handicap debut at Catterick (15.7f) in January, bit in hand. Disappointed at Warwick (21f) but was soon back to form when third at Uttoxeter (15.8f) last week. Tongue strap on for 1st time.

Form: 85P183

Never No Trouble^b²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 98| D

12/1

Gained reward for her consistency when winning 8-runner maiden at Hereford (16.2f, good) 27 days ago, always holding on. Will find life tougher back in handicap company, though.

Form: 232231

Forecasts

Bonttay (6/4), Autumn Return (7/2), Jane Du Berlais (5/1), Walk Of No Shame (15/2), Never No Trouble (12/1), Midnight Shuffle (16/1), Dime Store Cowgirl (16/1), Notnowlinda (28/1), Lacila Blue (50/1)

The one who makes most appeal is BONTTAY, a triple bumper winner, who was left with too much ground to make up in a steadily-run event at Market Rasen 13 days ago and now goes handicapping in first-time cheekpieces from a potentially lenient mark. Jane du Berlais got the better of the selection at Lingfield back in December and still has potential despite failing to advance her form at Wetherby last time. Autumn Return merits respect, also.