newtonabbotracing.com Mares' Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 5m 17.94s

Gorcombe Blueskye⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford

100/1

Sent off 300/1 when pulled up in mares maiden hurdle at Lingfield (19.5f, heavy) on debut a couple of months ago, beaten long way out.

Form: P

Jokers 'N' Clowns⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen| T: Billy Aprahamian| OR: 104

5/2

Rather lost his way for Gavin Patrick Cromwell and first-time cheekpieces failed to have the desired effect at Punchestown in February. Headgear left off for yard debut and she could make her mark in this (should be suited by this sort of trip).

Form: 5-P0990

Merry Shuil^h⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: J Candlish

9/2

Tailed off in a bumper for Leonard Paul Flynn but more like it with a hood fitted on hurdling debut for her new yard 13 months later when fourth of 8 in maiden at Carlisle (19.3f, good to soft) in February. This extra distance should suit and she's open to improvement.

Form: 0-4

Mighty Fleur¹⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen

1/1

Fair form when placed all 3 starts in bumpers, latest when runner-up at Ffos Las when last seen 5 months ago. Likely sort on hurdles bow provided she's ready to roll.

Form: 2-32

Northern Symphonie^h³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 92

15/2

Disappointed following an encouraging debut in bumpers and failed to build on the minor promise shown at Chepstow when finishing tailed off on handicap debut at Exeter (18.5f, good to soft) last month. Bounce back required returned to maiden company.

Form: 79-8857

Non-Runners

Dawn's Desire³⁵

Weight: 11-6| Age: 5

T: R Walford J: Harry Kimber

Forecasts

Mighty Fleur (1/1), Jokers 'N' Clowns (5/2), Merry Shuil (9/2), Northern Symphonie (15/2), Gorcombe Blueskye (100/1), Dawn's Desire (100/1)

A tricky puzzle to solve despite the small field but MIGHTY FLEUR was placed on all 3 starts in bumpers so she gets the nod to make a winning hurdling debut returning from 5 months off. Heading up the dangers is Merry Shuil, who showed much more than she had in a bumper in Ireland when finishing fourth first time up over hurdles at Carlisle in February. Jokers 'N' Clowns can fill out third.