13:50 Newbury

Thursday 9 November 2023

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

CSP Mares' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 7.31s

Manimole⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 112| D

8/1

Hasn't finished out of the first two in 7 outings in maiden/novice company since May, but did too much too soon back in a handicap last time at Worcester (2½m, soft) where she was safely held when unseating rider at the final flight. Looks vulnerable conceding weight all round.

Form: 12212U

Bella Civena²³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham

12/1

Very promising start to her career when landing an 8-runner Market Rasen juvenile hurdle (16.6f, heavy) in March, impressing with the way she jumped in what was a strongly-run race and the turn of foot she displayed. More on her plate here, but she's potentially useful.

Form: 1-

Birdhouse³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: S Edmunds| D

150/1

Related to winners on the Flat and settled much better when making second bumper start a winning one at Fakenham in April. Looked badly in need of the experience sent hurdling on return at Warwick (2m, good) and likely to leave that form well behind in time.

Form: 71-8

Break My Soul²⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

8/13

Half-sister to several winners and fetched £290,000 after landing an Irish maiden point in February. Joined a top yard, which saddled the winner of this race in 2018 and 2020, and it will look significant if the market speaks in her favour on Rules debut.

Form: 1-

Politacus²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Liam Harrison| T: F O'Brien| BF| D

13/2

Off the mark at the third attempt in bumpers at Ascot in February before finishing fourth in a 20-runner Grade 2 at Aintree. Failed to justify favouritism on return/hurdles debut at Chepstow (19.4f, heavy), but she wasn't knocked about and looks sure to come on for that run.

Form: 45214-4

Raindance Queen⁶⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Ffrench-Davis| T: W De Best-Turner

300/1

Placed both starts between the flags early-2022, but absent since and she's pitched into a warm race for her Rules debut.

Form: 23/

Sanda Rena²³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| BF

28/1

£150,000 purchase after making a winning start in the Irish pointing field last December. Unable to justify her position in the market (sent off 13/8 favourite) when third in Southwell bumper on Rules debut during the spring, but it'll be interesting to see how she gets on now switched to hurdles.

Form: 13-

Seeyouinmydreams^t1²¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| CD

4/1

235,000 gns buy after point success in April 2022 and impressed on Rules debut here when landing a bumper by 11 lengths in March. Far too keen in a Grade 2 at Aintree next time, but she's clearly talented and will be a threat if settling better now sent hurdling in a first-time tongue strap.

Form: 1/10-

Selkirk Grace^t³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: H Morrison

200/1

Has the physique for hurdling and progressive form in bumpers, best effort when third in 10-runner event at Southwell in May. Left behind from 3 out on back of wind op when fifth in Warwick mares' novice (2m, good) on return last month, making novicey mistakes. Engaged 2.05 Chepstow Wednesday.

Form: 94-35

Telepathique²¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| D

50/1

Confirmed debut promise when landing a 12-runner Warwick bumper (2m, good to soft) in February. Another who was too keen in Grade 2 company at Aintree's Grand National meeting and she's up against some potentially useful types now switched to hurdles.

Form: 410-

Tipperary Star²⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: W GreatrexWS

33/1

Showed plenty of ability when placed in a trio of bumpers in the first half of last season, prior to finding listed company too hot (also didn't help herself by racing freely) at Market Rasen on latest start in February.

Form: 3237-

Forecasts

Break My Soul (8/13), Seeyouinmydreams (4/1), Politacus (13/2), Manimole (8/1), Bella Civena (12/1), Sanda Rena (28/1), Tipperary Star (33/1), Telepathique (50/1), Birdhouse (150/1), Selkirk Grace (200/1), Raindance Queen (300/1)

If the market vibes surrounding BREAK MY SOUL are upbeat, it will be an ominous sign for her rivals. Indeed, the 4-y-o was a big-money buy after winning her sole start between the flags and now embarks on a career under Rules for the Nicky Henderson yard, which has saddled the winner of this race on a couple of occasions in recent years. Bella Civena was pretty impressive on her introduction at Market Rasen and she is second choice ahead of Politacus and Seeyouinmydreams.