QuinnBet Mares' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 4 | 1m 7f 168y | 7 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: Nick Scholfield| OR: 110

Won handicap on stable debut at Wincanton (12/1) 43 days ago after leaving E. Sheehy, fitted with a hood for the first time. Ran respectably when third of 7 in novice hurdle at Taunton (85/40) on Tuesday, finding life a bit tougher. Still merits respect under a penalty.

Form: 007-613

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I Heard A Rumour

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Liam Harrison| T: D Skelton

Getaway Mare. Sister to fairly useful hurdler Listentoyourheart and half-sister to hurdle winner Miss Corby. Top yard has had success with this family and she's one to note if supported on debut.

Form:

Madame La Papillon²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Alice Stevens⁽³⁾| T: Miss C Dyson| OR: 106| BF| D

Fair bumper winner has made an encouraging start over hurdles with 2 runner-up finishes. Second of 11 in maiden hurdle at Newcastle (13/8 favourite) 23 days ago, pulling clear with a useful prospect and staying on well. Can make her presence felt.

Form: 1/58-22

Midnight Venture⁷¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Joe Anderson⁽³⁾| T: Jamie Snowden

Once-raced mare out of a fairly useful hurdler (for the Snowden yard) who offered plenty to work on when second of 8 in maiden bumper at Chepstow nearly 2 years ago. Makes hurdle debut and could do better if ready to roll after an absence.

Form: 2/

Moorsbrook^h¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley

Promise with third at Cheltenham in bumper in April 2024 but has failed to reproduce that form over hurdles. Ninth of 16 in novice hurdle at Warwick (250/1) 15 days ago, tailed off on second hurdling start following 20-month absence. Plenty to prove.

Form: 93/3-09

Rosa Diaz^p1,t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

£32,000 purchase after winning an Irish point winner in November 2024. Two runs in novice hurdles, fifth of 12 on debut at Ludlow in December. Fourth of 5 at Sedgefield (11/1) 13 days ago, tailed off having regressed from her debut. First-time cheekpieces applied but could be one for handicaps.

Form: 1-54

Seekingrainbows¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: Sarah Hollinshead

Made belated hurdling debut at eight years old when pulled up in 14-runner C&D maiden 14 days ago. Makes little appeal.

Form: P

Forecasts

Madame La Papillon (6/4), Queenie St Clair (13/8), I Heard A Rumour (9/2), Midnight Venture (13/2), Rosa Diaz (25/1), Moorsbrook (200/1), Seekingrainbows (250/1)

MADAME LA PAPILLON has made an encouraging start over hurdles with runner-up finishes on both starts, pulling clear with a useful prospect at Newcastle last time and she can go one better. Queenie St Clair impressed when winning a handicap on stable debut at Wincanton but may again prove vulnerable in a novice, while any support for interesting hurdling debutantes I Heard A Rumour and Midnight Venture should be noted.