12:55 Newcastle

Saturday 5 April 2025

All12:5513:3014:0514:4015:2516:3017:05

quinnbet.com Conditional Jockeys' Training Series Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:55 | Winning time: 5m 50.11s

Maura Jeanne^t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Ellis Collier| T: I A Duncan| OR: 95| D

15/2

Finally off the mark at Kelso in October and proved better than ever after 11 weeks off when doubling her tally in 13-runner handicap at Ayr (24.3f) in February. Ran one of this season's poorer races at Sedgefield (27f, good to soft) 16 days ago but can bounce back quickly.

Form: 514715

Blame Rose^p,t⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Leah Noreci⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 93WS

10/1

Ended last term with success at Hexham (2m4f) but no impact on both outings this season (unseated on reappearance). Returns from a short break with stable in good form so could have more to offer (has had a wind op).

Form: 4151-U0

Flighttothestars^t⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Cameron Iles| T: L Horsfall| OR: 89

40/1

Still a maiden and is one to leave well alone judged on recent efforts.

Form: 535PP6

Ballyhiho¹³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Fern O'Brien| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 84

6/1

Placed on 2 of 4 starts in Irish points but she's made an unpromising start to career under Rules, showing nothing in a trio of hurdle outings. Needs to find plenty of improvement on return/handicap debut upped markedly in trip but that's not ruled out.

Form: P7-2008

Somebody's Fortune^t,v¹⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Conner McCann⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 84

15/2

Made a winning handicap hurdle debut at Kelso last May but not in anything like the same form on all 3 subsequent starts (including over fences). Watching brief advised returning from 5 months off.

Form: F5-17P0

Heather Honey¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Power| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 82

9/4

Upped in trip and made more impact than previously sent handicapping when fourth of 11 at Southwell (20.4f) 19 days ago, despite not getting home as strongly as might have been expected. Handicapper drops her 2 lb and she has more compelling claims than most upped further in trip.

Form: 4-59854

Noble Affair^p1¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Murray Dodd| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 80

8/1

Just the one win to her name from 21 appearances overall and failed to justify the support having been subject of a significant late gamble at Hexham (20.1f, good to soft) 11 days ago. Cheekpieces applied and interesting to see if her supporters return.

Form: 0-0P647

Joanna I'm Fine³⁰⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Joshua Thompson⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 73| D

10/1

Did manage a win at Ayr in February 2023 but has been in-and-out since, last seen finding just one too strong at Perth (23.9f, good to firm) 10 months ago. Seemingly hard to get to the track but capable if ready to roll.

Form: 1P/58-92

Lady Hamilton¹²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Lewis Dobb| T: W Storey| OR: 73

5/1

Long-standing maiden who was below form with cheekpieces back on at Musselburgh (23.8f, good to soft) when last seen 4 months ago. Headgear discarded for return and handicapper has dropped her another 3 lb.

Form: 333858

Forecasts

Heather Honey (9/4), Lady Hamilton (5/1), Ballyhiho (6/1), Maura Jeanne (15/2), Somebody's Fortune (15/2), Noble Affair (8/1), Joanna I'm Fine (10/1), Blame Rose (10/1), Flighttothestars (40/1)

Preference is for HEATHER HONEY, who made more impact than previously sent handicapping when fourth at Southwell last month and this further step up in trip may well unlock further improvement. Heading up the threats is Maura Jeanne, who ran one of this season's poorer races last time but was in good order prior. Noble Affair can edge out Joanna I'm Fine for the bronze medal.