16:50 Cheltenham

Thursday 14 March 2024

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 4m 20.60s

Birdie Or Bust⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 130

10/1

Fairly useful hurdler who produced her best effort yet when running out a cosy winner of a listed contest at Thurles 88 days ago. Seemingly saved for this but she has something to find.

Form: 22-1351

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Brighterdaysahead³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 143| D

5/6

Unbeaten in 2 bumpers, including a valuable sales race at Fairyhouse's Easter Festival and also 3 from 3 over hurdles, taking a big step forward to land a Grade 3 at Down Royal in November before following up in bloodless fashion at Navan. Open to further improvement and boasts excellent claims.

Form: 11-111

Jade De Grugy⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 141

2/1

Won her sole outing in bumpers in France and has been most impressive in winning both her starts over hurdles for new yard, including the Grade 3 Solerina at Fairyhouse (18f, heavy) last time. Exciting prospect who warrants the utmost respect.

Form: 1-11

Golden Ace³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 124

10/1

Fairly useful in bumpers (runner-up to Dysart Enos final outing) and, on the back of a breathing op, created a favourable impression in seeing off a couple of above-average winners on her Taunton hurdle debut (19f). Not extended to defy a penalty back there and well worth her place at this level.

Form: 152-11

Majestic Force²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead

25/1

£120,000 buy after running out a wide-margin winner on point debut and looked a useful prospect in following up in a 2½m Punchestown maiden 22 days ago. Sure to progress.

Form: 11

Mollys Mango^t1⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 125| D

40/1

Bumper winner who made a successful start to her hurdle career in 2m maiden at Thurles in November and quickly back on track when making the most of a simple task in stylish fashion at Fairyhouse (17.2f) in January. Subsequently left Gordon Elliott for €170,000. New trainer reaches for a tongue tie.

Form: 136-1P1

Titanium Moon³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 127| D

80/1

Failed to win in 4 outings on the Flat but thrived over hurdles last summer, completing a 4-timer at Stratford (2m) in July. Shaped better than the distance beaten suggests under a change of tactics at Musselburgh last month but this is a big ask.

Form: 211113

Victoria Milano²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Tudor| T: A Ralph| OR: 119

125/1

Game winner first time up over hurdles at Ludlow (21.2f) before showing better form in defeat at Warwick (19f, heavy). Resumed winning ways in a muddling affair at Sandown (2m) 4 weeks ago but this is a whole different ball game and will surely come up short.

Form: 4-121

Non-Runners

Casa No Mento⁷⁵

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Dysart Enos⁴⁶

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Little Miss Dante²⁸

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: O Murphy J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Brighterdaysahead (5/6), Jade De Grugy (2/1), Dysart Enos (4/1), Golden Ace (10/1), Birdie Or Bust (10/1), Majestic Force (25/1), Casa No Mento (33/1), Mollys Mango (40/1), Little Miss Dante (50/1), Titanium Moon (80/1), Victoria Milano (125/1)

BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD has looked a class act on each visit to the racecourse, again barely asked a question when easing to success in a listed event at Navan a month ago, so she's marginally preferred to Jade de Grugy, another bright prospect representing a top Irish yard. Dysart Enos was highly impressive at Doncaster last time and looks the clear pick of the British contingent.