Fitzdares Mares' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:45 | Winning time: 3m 57.29s

Jubilee Alpha²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 128| D

8/13

Reversed the form of her 1½ lengths third of 9 to Listentoyourheart when scoring impressively in a Listed mares novice hurdle at Taunton (16.5f, good to soft) 20 days ago, seeing off some promising mares. That performance sets the standard here and she looks the one to beat.

Form: 12-31

Barrabool⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| D

50/1

Just modest form in bumpers for Tom Weston but hard to know what she achieved on hurdles debut for Harry Derham, making all to land a modest three-runner maiden at Plumpton (15.9f), comfortably. She is open to improvement for yard going well but this is a much tougher race.

Form: 35-21

Bluey²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Joe Anderson| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 117

4/1

Point winner who made all on only start in bumpers at Plumpton (17.7f) in April. Left hurdles bow behind when much improved, winning an 11-runner novice hurdle at Wincanton (15.2f, soft) 24 days ago, only ridden out late on having always led. Open to further progress.

Form: 3611-41

Siog Geal²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| D

13/2

£80,000 buy after winning sole outing in Irish points and showed plenty in a couple of bumpers, including second in a Listed event. Made a winning start when warm order for hurdles debut at Catterick and will have learned plenty. Respected and will be even better over further in time.

Form: 1-221

Everest²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore

200/1

Ran to a fair level when second on debut in a Southwell bumper (15.8f) but struggled to make an impact in stronger company at Cheltenham in 2 starts afterwards. 33¼ lengths fifth of 11 to Bluey in a novice hurdle at Wincanton (15.2f) on hurdles bow 24 days ago and looks to have a mountain to climb.

Form: 2705

Katira Du Mestivel⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling

22/1

Cost €85,000 as a 3-y-o and held every chance when exiting at the last in a maiden point last spring. Excellent second on hurdles debut at Fontwell (19f, winner second in a Listed race behind Jubilee Alpha since), travelled best and headed last. Drop in trip should help and has decent claims here.

Form: F-2

Khrisma^h1⁴²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

8/1

Dual bumper winner in France who also finished third in a Grade 1 bumper at Fontainebleau 14 months ago on her final run for Emmanuel Clayeux. Wears hood for UK debut and is very much one to consider now going hurdling for new leading owner/top yard.

Form: 62/3113-

Forecasts

Jubilee Alpha (8/13), Bluey (4/1), Siog Geal (13/2), Khrisma (8/1), Katira Du Mestivel (22/1), Barrabool (50/1), Everest (200/1)

Some exciting mares on show and JUBILEE ALPHA sets the standard after her dominant victory in a Listed event last time. Placed in a Grade 1 bumper on her final start in France, Khrisma is a fascinating new recruit for the Henderson team, while Katira du Mestivel showed lots of promise on hurdle debut and could be an improver.