14:15 Wincanton

Thursday 1 February 2024

All13:4514:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:45

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

Off time: 14:17 | Winning time: 5m 39.92s

Asian Spice⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: J D Frost| OR: 96

33/1

Showed much-improved form on her handicap bow when landing 16-runner event at Exeter 67 days ago, holding on gamely after making her move around the entire field. Faces a stiff task at the weights back in novice company, however.

Form: 027-511

Baby Shally²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| CD

11/1

Point winner who made a successful start in this sphere in 7-runner C&D novice at Wincanton in December. Only fifth at Huntingdon since and might struggle with her penalty again.

Form: 1-715

Imperial Jade^t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: B Roberts⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 96

66/1

Progressed with each start over hurdles last term, ending campaign with victory in 6-runner juvenile at Chepstow. Disappointing so far this season, though, and has a bit to find.

Form: 3321-57

Betty's Tiara²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| BF

9/2

Promising individual. Winner in bumper at Stratford in August. 11/4, second of 12 in novice at Hereford (21.7f, soft) on hurdles bow 28 days ago, running on. Should improve.

Form: 1572

Brave Jen³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 116

6/1

Showed improved and fairly useful form when narrowly denied in a 2m course listed event at Newbury in December and didn't have much chance in the Challow there last time. Worth a chance to open her account back down in grade.

Form: 46-402P

Butterflycollector³⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard

33/1

Related to numerous winners but only sixth in a bumper at this track and looks more of a long-term project.

Form: 6-

Dairylane Daisy⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: C Gethings| T: Noel Williams

18/1

Successful on her sole outing in points and offered something to work on when sixth of 13 in a maiden hurdle at Market Rasen (20.6f, good to soft, 7/1) on Rules debut 77 days ago. Should do better.

Form: 1-6

Goodtimecrew⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 103| C

7/2

Fair bumper winner who has run to a similar level in finding only one too good both starts over hurdles in November. Upped significantly in trip now.

Form: 2/17-22

Gypsy Hill^p,t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Johns| T: V R A Dartnall

400/1

Finished down the field in a couple of bumpers last term and no better in a novice at Exeter on hurdling debut.

Form: 00-P

Larchmont Lass^h³³

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

13/8

Useful form in bumpers, including a Sandown listed win in March. Yet to match that over hurdles but could show more now upped in trip.

Form: 321-524

Love Of Neymore⁶⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Liam Harrison| T: R L Llewellyn

250/1

Little show in bumpers and has 22-month absence to overcome (has also left Martin Keighley).

Form: 89/

Saunton Surf⁷⁰

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

25/1

Easy winner of a point/Aintree bumper for Bradley Gibbs and did well in the circumstances when runner-up on Ludlow hurdling debut (21.3f) after 5 months off. Failed to build on that at Newcastle since, though.

Form: 1-125

Time In The Sun⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D A Jacob| T: H D Daly

40/1

Came close to opening account at second attempt in bumpers last spring but went the wrong way from hurdling debut when last of 13 at Market Rasen (20.5f, good to soft) a couple of months ago, possibly amiss.

Form: 8-240

Von Hallers^t⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

66/1

Winner of the second of her 2 starts between the flags but yet to complete in two outings over hurdles, so bit to prove.

Form: P/1-UP

Forecasts

Larchmont Lass (13/8), Goodtimecrew (7/2), Betty's Tiara (9/2), Brave Jen (6/1), Baby Shally (11/1), Dairylane Daisy (18/1), Saunton Surf (25/1), Asian Spice (33/1), Butterflycollector (33/1), Time In The Sun (40/1), Imperial Jade (66/1), Von Hallers (66/1), Love Of Neymore (250/1), Gypsy Hill (400/1)

Having shaped well on hurdling debut, BRAVE JEN was pitched in too deep last time, so she's capable of getting off the mark back in calmer waters. Betty's Tiara is open to improvement and looks a feasible danger, while Larchmont Lass could feature if the longer trip brings more out of her.