14:15 Navan
Saturday 1 April 2017
All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:40
Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Mares Maiden Hurdle
- 4YO plus | 2m | Heavy | 20 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 4m 30.7s
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Selected odds by:
Half-sister to three winners including Champers On Ice, who cost €7,500. Will probably want more of a test in time than she's likely to get on this racecourse debut, though her dam did win over just slightly further than this.
Sister to useful hurdler and chaser Mr Diablo, but a fairly unexciting pedigree other than that, from a yard not renowned for its first time out winners.
Last two performances were much more like it after a couple of tame runs and she seems to be making real progress. Handles the conditions and is easily capable of getting off the mark here for a top trainer.
Has finished last of all in two racecourse appearances so far, both bumpers run on good ground, but there is no apparent reason why the addition of hurdles and more cut in the ground should bring out the necessary improvement.
Not totally disgraced in five racecourse appearances so far, but she also hasn't shown enough to suggest she is capable of winning a race as competitive as this, and she should be playing for a place at best here.
Useful Flat performer who ran approximately to her odds of 12/1 on jumps debut over C&D last time. Will need to come on plenty for that run, but she is obviously unexposed over hurdles.
Makes her debut over hurdles here having accrued some decent form in bumpers, including winning at Down Royal in August (2m, good). Has been off since September and needs to show she can handle the forecast conditions, however.
Has failed to get competitive in two starts under rules so far, having been sent off at 100/1 each time. Similarly large odds seem likely again this time around, and for good reason.
Fair, but inconsistent Flat performer who makes her hurdles debut today. Would have a chance on her best form from the level, but the likelihood of her producing that on her first run in this sphere seems unlikely. Best watched.
Former Flat mare who has shown little over hurdles so far. The first of her two appearances seemed a good quality race with Invitation Only and Barra ahead of her, but no real excuses in the second, more standard quality affair. Others hold more convincing claims.
Won a point to point a year ago but little has gone for her right since, with her best performance being a 10L beating into 5th last time out. Would need to be much improved in a race this competitive.
One of the more experienced hands in the field, and she has shown good form on her day, including a 5L beating into second by Elusive Theatre, now rated 122. Showed she handled soft ground that day and has leading claims here.
Point to point winner on heavy ground earlier this month who makes her debut under rules here. Looked progressive in that sphere but is entitled to find herself pitched in a little deep here, especially over the shorter trip.
Has looked utterly outclassed on all three starts over hurdles so far. This is probably the most challenging of any of those races, at least on paper, and she looks to be one who can be easily discounted.
Half-sister to impressive hurdler Classfied, and sister to a winner over 2m, so this doesn't look an impossible task on debut for her, and she is worth a check in the market.
Half-sister to four winners but not the most interesting of pedigrees even within this field, so looks best watched on racecourse debut.
Well beaten in two bumpers, including last time out when getting significant class relief. Makes hurdling debut here having been off since December, and something more would be required for her to get competitive.
Showed some good form in bumpers over the summer but failed to translate that into hurdling performances, having been well held on two starts in this sphere back in September. Has had a break now and may be somewhat better for it.
By Fleminsfirth, first foal of a mare who won a bumper on her only racecourse appearance. From the extended family of Dawn Run and is one of the more interesting newcomers.
Unremarkable Flat performer who was similarly unimpressive on hurdling debut at Gowran last time in conditions similar to what's forecast today. Would be a very surprising winner.
Forecasts
Our Valentina (4/1), Folly Dat (6/1), Howluckycanwebe (7/1), Off The Hoof (8/1), Jeremys Joy (8/1), Westinmare (8/1), Naughty But Nice (10/1), Reine Des Pres (12/1), Joy's Gift (12/1), Maudlin Magdalen (12/1), Chesterfield Queen (14/1), She's Made It (16/1), Victoria Says (25/1), Trans Wood (50/1), Running Skeard (50/1), Kiln Rock (66/1), Royal Roslea (66/1), Blue Lobster (66/1), The Last Indian (66/1), Hannah Huxwell (100/1)
There are several unexposed runners here, including mares making their debut or those who have raced once or twice. It may pay to side with experience, though, and perhaps OUR VALENTINA can provide the answer. She has shown much better form since switching to hurdles from bumpers, including in soft ground conditions, which should help her today, and the form from her races is generally working out well. She should win a maiden sooner or later and it could easily be this one. Favourites have a good record in this race and if, as expected, Folly Dat fills that role then she has to be feared given the progress she has shown recently for a top trainer, while Westinmare, disappointing over hurdles so far, could be much better having had a break of several months.
- Our Valentina
- Folly Dat
- Westinmare
Prize Money
1st: €9,239.002nd: €2,865.003rd: €1,365.004th: €615.005th: €240.00
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