11:52 Wetherby

Tuesday 26 December 2023

All11:5212:2713:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

William Hill Epic Value Mares' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 11:52 | Winning time: 5m 19.40s

Chatshow Host⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr

25/1

Point winner who plugged on late when fifth in a bumper at Newbury and failed to feature in a novice at Hexham on hurdling debut 8 months later. Others preferred.

Form: 32115-7

Dontyawantme⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Craig Lidster

7/2

A fairly useful bumper winner for Fergal O'Brien and shaped well for a long way when fourth in a C&D novice on hurdling/stable debut last month. Open to progress and a big player.

Form: 1/3137-4

Lady Alex⁴²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: H D Daly

20/1

25/1, third of 12 in novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (15.8f, good to soft) on hurdles bow, not knocked about. Off 14 months but still likely to improve and worth a market check.

Form: 7/3-

Lady In The Park³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

10/3

Successful on second of 2 starts in Irish points in March and went with plenty of zest when third in a bumper at Aintree and on his hurdling debut in Uttoxeter novice this winter. Has more to offer.

Form: 71-33

Micks Jet³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby

6/4

Runner-up in a point and scored impressively in a Cheltenham bumper in April. Soon back to form when third in a listed contest there last month and is worth a second look on her hurdles debut.

Form: F21-43

Missy Ava

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: M Walford

25/1

Fom the family of useful hurdler/smart chaser (winner up to 3¼m, also runner-up in Grand National) Oscar Time. Stable has a few decent novice hurdlers so she's worth a second look in betting,

Form:

Sweet Honey B²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: C Boultbee-Brooks

5/1

Won sole start in point bumpers and probably should have followed up when runner-up in bumper at Aintree, going left when headed 1f out. Encouraging third at Lingfield on her hurdles debut too so needs considering.

Form: 1-23

Non-Runners

Twyford's Diamond²⁹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: B Pauling J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Micks Jet (6/4), Lady In The Park (10/3), Dontyawantme (7/2), Sweet Honey B (5/1), Twyford's Diamond (16/1), Lady Alex (20/1), Chatshow Host (25/1), Missy Ava (25/1)

DONTYAWANTME made a promising start in this sphere for her new yard when fourth over C&D so this fairly useful bumper scorer looks the way to go. Lucinda Russell's Lady In The Park also has better days ahead of her and rates the main danger, although hurdling newcomers Micks Jet and Missy Ava could have a say too, especially if the market vibes are positive.