wetherbyracing.co.uk Mares' Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 5f 56y | 7 Runners | Turf

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: H McMahon

Made the frame both completed starts in Irish points a few years ago but offered little on recent Ayr hurdle debut after a long absence.

Form: F42/6

Followango¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 104| BF

Point/bumper winner who has shown plenty in 4 starts since switched to hurdles, finishing third in a 19.5f Chepstow handicap last time. Likely to go well again.

Form: 1-13223

Imperious Star²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

Flemensfirth mare who has shown ability in 2 novice hurdles around 2m and promises to be suited by this step up in trip. Won't need to raise her game much.

Form: 56

Josie Alice²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 96

Winning Irish pointer who has run to only a modest level in bumpers/hurdle so far, finishing a well-held fourth switched to handicap company at Hexham last month.

Form: 1-34324

Miss Maverick¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Benjamin Poste| T: G Hanmer

Second of 4 in a Uttoxeter bumper last spring but well beaten on completed start over hurdles in recent months.

Form: 72-7F

Valentia⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Liam Harrison| T: F O'Brien

Placed on the second of 2 starts in Irish points in 2022 but well held in a Warwick bumper on Rules debut in November and remote fourth on Hereford hurdle debut since. Paddy Brennan on leading stable's other runner.

Form: P3/94

Wrappedinrubies¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr

Placed in a point but hasn't achieved much in 3 outings under Rules, finishing a well-held third in 2m Haydock maiden hurdle last month. This longer trip should suit, though.

Form: 72053

Forecasts

Followango (7/4), Imperious Star (11/4), Josie Alice (3/1), Valentia (8/1), Wrappedinrubies (8/1), Miss Maverick (25/1), Cloneyhurke Maid (66/1)

FOLLOWANGO has been knocking on the door over hurdles and might prove the answer to this mares' maiden. Fergal O'Brien's Imperious Star could have more to offer over this longer trip and is second choice ahead of Josie Alice.