Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2023 Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race)

Age: 3| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 97| D

Fair maiden on Flat for Charlie Johnston and off the mark at the third attempt in this sphere when landing a juvenile maiden at Ludlow (15.8f, good) with 4 of these rivals behind. The runner-up didn't do much for the form next time, but she's a big player nonetheless.

Form: 221

All Blues²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: T R Gretton

Shaped well on 2-y-o debut on the Flat in Ireland, but subsequently failed to build on that and she was beaten a long way on hurdles debut in the maiden won by Grain of Hope at Ludlow.

Form: 8

Bubblecraft⁹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: M Wigham

Fair performer at up to 13f on the Flat in France, winner of a claimer at Dax (11.4f, good to soft) when last seen in July. Claimed from J. Reynier €13,256 after, then sold for 21,000 gns in September. One to note in the betting on hurdles/yard debut.

Form:

Cantalupo Bella¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M & D Easterby| BF

Modest maiden on the Flat, visored for the first time when sixth of 9 in handicap at Musselburgh (2m, good to soft) on latest start 16 days ago. Will probably need to improve for the switch to hurdles if she's to make a winning debut in this sphere.

Form:

Limelight^t²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 86

Modest maiden on Flat (stays 1m) for Mike Murphy & Michael Keady. Has shown ability in a trio of starts over hurdles, but behind Grain of Hope the last twice and she needs to find improvement from somewhere. Majestic Jameela appears to be the stable first-string.

Form: 334

Majestic Jameela²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 90

Modest performer on Flat but placed all 4 starts since switched to hurdles, finishing 6 lengths third to Grain of Hope at Ludlow last time, despite making mistakes. 7 lb better off with the winner now and will be a big threat if able to cut out the errors.

Form: 2323

Royal Athena²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: James Owen

Fair handicapper on Flat at up to 13.5f. Beaten 12 lengths in the Ludlow contest won by Grain of Hope on hurdles debut, but she is entitled to come on for that and may finish closer this time.

Form: 5

Saisissante^b,t1⁹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: James Davies| T: Noel Williams

Fairly useful Flat winner at up to 1¼m in France. Below par on yard debut at Newmarket in July and subsequent Stratford hurdles debut was unpromising, but interesting to see how she gets on with blinkers/tongue strap refitted (form figures in this headgear combination on the Flat read 211).

Form: 7

Forecasts

Grain Of Hope (7/4), Majestic Jameela (5/2), Limelight (5/1), Royal Athena (13/2), Bubblecraft (12/1), Cantalupo Bella (14/1), Saisissante (25/1), All Blues (33/1)

Though SAISISSANTE hasn't shown much in two starts for present connections, including on her hurdles bow at Stratford when last seen in August, she could be worth chancing with headgear refitted. Indeed, her three efforts in this combination of blinkers and tongue strap on the Flat were among her very best efforts in that sphere. If Majestic Jameela avoids the mistakes she made when third to Grain of Hope at Ludlow she may well reverse the placings with that rival on 7 lb better terms here.