Matchbook Betting Exchange Quevega Mares Hurdle (Grade 3)

4YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 4f 23y | 7 Runners | Turf

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Jordan Gainford| T: James Kenny| OR: 135| D

Four-time winner over hurdles last season and, with chasing quickly shelved, made a successful handicap debut at Ballinrobe in September. Below form in listed race at Doncaster (24.4f, good to soft, 5/2) in December, but no surprise to see her bounce back.

Form: 18/P124-

Baby Kate⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 122

5/1

Useful bumper winner who made a successful start over hurdles at Naas last season. Bounced back from a couple of lesser efforts when second of 5 in minor event at Clonmel (16.9f, heavy, 6/1) 6 weeks ago, but more needed in this contest.

Form: 10/16-52

Cousin Kate¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean Flanagan| T: D Hogan| OR: 131| D

15/8

Most progressive mare who defied another rise in the weights when completing the hat-trick in 18-runner listed handicap at Leopardstown (18f, heavy, 13/2) 17 days ago. Looks well worth her place in this higher grade.

Form: 123111

Grainne A Chroi³⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: John Shinnick| T: Miss M Harding| OR: 127

10/1

Impressive winner at Clonmel on second start over hurdles and took her form up a notch when second of 11 in Shannon Spray Mares Novices' Hurdle at Limerick (22.7f, good to soft, 28/1) in March. Has 11-month absence to overcome.

Form: 630142/

Kilbarry Saint^t⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Danny Mullins| T: C O'Keeffe| OR: 120

16/1

Sole success came over hurdles 2 years ago. Showed fairly useful form sent chasing last season but has faced stiff tasks the last twice, well beaten in Grade 2 novice at Cork (16.9f, soft) in December. Has work to do back hurdling.

Form: 245/245

Lantry Lady^t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 132

9/4

Useful form when winning first 2 of 3 starts over hurdles but hasn't matched that level since (including over fences), 20½ lengths fourth of 6 to Home By The Lee in John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran (23.5f, heavy, 12/1) 27 days ago. Drop back in grade could help.

Form: 747/654

Pebble Bleu¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Michael Kenneally| T: C Motherway| OR: 110| C

25/1

Has benefited from the switch back to hurdling, making it 3 wins from her last 4 starts with a dominant success in 10-runner handicap at this course (23f, heavy, 9/4) 2 weeks ago. Faces a tough ask in this grade, though.

Form: 4F1811

Forecasts

Cousin Kate (7/4), Lantry Lady (9/4), World Of Fortunes (9/2), Baby Kate (11/2), Grainne A Chroi (8/1), Kilbarry Saint (14/1), Pebble Bleu (25/1)

COUSIN KATE continued her progress when winning a listed handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival and she can take this further step up in grade in her stride to land the 4-timer. The main danger could be World of Fortunes, who ran below-par last time but had previously took her form up to a useful level this season, ahead of Lantry Lady.