15:55 Cheltenham

Thursday 17 April 2025

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Changing Young Lives At Jamie's Farm Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Listed) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 4m 57.85s

Jubilee Alpha³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127

4/1

Successful on first of 2 starts in bumpers and bright start over hurdles, winning 2 of her first 3 starts including at this level. Not at best having failed to settle fully when eighth in Gr. 2 mares' novice at the Festival but she's respected returned to calmer waters over this longer trip.

Form: 12-3118

Anariza³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Andrews| T: T Ellis| OR: 110

50/1

Easy winner sole start in point bumpers and bright start under Rules, matching her fair hurdles debut form when runner-up in 6-runner mares' novice at Kempton (2m) 33 days ago. Likely to stay 2½m and whilst she appeals as the type to do better still, this is a big step up in class.

Form: 1-432

Bluey³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 124

4/1

Successful only start in bumpers last spring and excellent start over hurdles this term, doubling her tally from the front in mares' novice at Market Rasen (16.6f) in February. Well below best when pulled up in Grade 2 mares' novice here in March though and bounce back called for.

Form: 1-4121P

Kitty Foyle³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Reed| T: Daisy Hitchins| OR: 119

33/1

Fairly useful on the Flat (stays 2m) and of similar merit in this sphere, successful at Newton Abbot last summer and best effort yet when third behind Jubilee Alpha in December. Found Grade 2 company too hot at the Festival latest and minor honours probably her best hope here.

Form: 12530

La Pinsonniere^p²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 123

13/2

Useful form in France and ran easily her best race since joining Nicky Henderson equipped with first-time cheekpieces when runner-up in EBF Final on handicap debut at Newbury (20.5f) 26 days ago. This stiffer test won't inconvenience her on that evidence and she's respected.

Form: 36-2122

Miss Cynthia^v⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 115

11/1

Useful stayer on the Flat for Sir Mark Prescott and improving with each run over hurdles, successful on handicap debut at Market Rasen (20.6f) prior to a good second in mares' listed novice at Doncaster (24.4f) 7 weeks ago. Each-way claims again with connections' opting for refitted visor.

Form: 2212

Sainte Tartare^h⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 125

6/1

Saint Des Saints mare who confirmed promise of opening pair of placed efforts when running out a facile winner of an 11-runner mares' maiden at Limerick (2m, heavy) in January. Forecast quicker ground an unknown but she's worth her place at this higher level and she's in top hands.

Form: 231

Settle Down Jill³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

16/1

First 2 starts in listed bumpers worked out well and she went with plenty of promise eased in class when second of 14 in a Warwick bumper 39 days ago. This a tall enough ask on hurdles bow but she's a very interesting runner nevertheless for the Skelton team.

Form: 1-472

Speculatrix³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 121

25/1

Fairly useful mare who confirmed the promise of her previous run when opening her account in mares' maiden at Wexford (2m) 31 days ago, keeping on well. Bred to be suited by this far and there could well be more to come.

Form: 0-F69F1

The Great Nudie³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Flanagan| T: C Bowe| OR: 126

10/3

Not without promise in 2 bumpers and improved sent hurdling, doubling her tally in 7-runner novice at Punchestown (19.2f) in January. Shaped as if still in good form in stronger company since, her jumping an asset, and not out of things returned to listed company.

Form: 415126

Non-Runners

Metkayina³⁵

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: Noel Williams J: J J Burke

Forecasts

The Great Nudie (10/3), Jubilee Alpha (4/1), Bluey (4/1), Metkayina (9/2), Sainte Tartare (6/1), La Pinsonniere (13/2), Miss Cynthia (11/1), Settle Down Jill (16/1), Speculatrix (25/1), Kitty Foyle (33/1), Anariza (50/1)

METKAYINA shaped up well in the face of a stiffish task when fifth in the Dawn Run at the Festival 5 weeks ago, shaping as if ready for this step back up in trip in the process. She gets the narrow vote to come out on top, with Sainte Tartare representing the Willie Mullins' stable and La Pinsonniere others to consider. The Great Nudie and Jubilee Alpha complete the shortlist.