15:35 Ludlow

Wednesday 24 April 2024

All14:0014:3515:0515:3516:0516:3717:1017:45

Dave Newnes 60th Birthday Mares' Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 11.04s

Ici La Reine⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 97

12/1

Dual AW bumper winner. Shaped well when fifth on 20.5f Market Rasen hurdles debut in November but failed badly to back that up both starts since. Significantly up in trip and fancied to revive now handicapping.

Form: 110-556

Of Course You Can^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 95

7/2

Placed in bumpers but looks to be being brought along gradually in this sphere. Better is therefore expected now handicapping up in trip.

Form: 6-35753

Musique De Fee²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Burke| T: G Nicholls| OR: 92

20/1

Ran to modest level both starts in bumpers and was given a considerate introduction to hurdling when fourth of 7 at Wincanton (2m5f). Not in the same form both starts since but return to this trip in her favour now she's been allotted a mark.

Form: 2-36404

Chinook¹⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Kimber| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 88

40/1

Ex-Irish mare ran well on second start for this stable when fifth at Ludlow (21.2f, good to soft) in April 2023. Failed to complete both starts since 6 months apart.

Form: 3875-FP

Jaunty Belle⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁵⁾| T: D A Rees| OR: 87

40/1

Fifth-placed finish at Hereford in January very much a stand out effort, tailing off on handicap debut at Ffos Las.

Form: 70-0P58

Giulietta²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 85| BF

7/4

Related to some useful performers in these silks and duly improved on her handicap debut when just touched off at Warwick (19f) in November. Something presumably not right when pulled up at Ffos Las in December and she quickly returned to form when third at Taunton. That puts her right in the mix.

Form: U37-2P3

Bridget Mary⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 80

13/2

£75,000 buy after winning a point. Beaten a long way in maiden/novice hurdles and tongue tied, needed to see more on handicap debut at Taunton to seriously consider her.

Form: 1-5465

Emma Hamilton²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: David Bass| T: H D Daly| OR: 76

3/1

Well held in maiden/novice hurdles and while she showed a bit more at Taunton last month, she went in snatches and it's still below her bumper form.

Form: 249864

Non-Runners

Citizen Jane¹¹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 5

T: R Potter J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Giulietta (7/4), Emma Hamilton (3/1), Of Course You Can (7/2), Bridget Mary (13/2), Ici La Reine (12/1), Citizen Jane (16/1), Musique De Fee (20/1), Jaunty Belle (40/1), Chinook (40/1)

GIULIETTA isn't a stable star but she displayed improved form when third at Taunton a month ago and a repeat of that level may well suffice. She may have most to fear from handicap debutantes Ici La Reine and Of Course You Can.