16:00 Cheltenham

Saturday 17 November 2018

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:00

Karndean Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race (Listed)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 3m 50.1s

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Selected odds by:

Cardigan Bay^h,t⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: C E Longsdon

25/1

Left first two races behind when winning after a break at Fontwell where she travelled supremely well before kicking clear. This much tougher but looked an improved mare there so not ruled out.

Form: 651

Cedar Valley³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| BF| D

11/1

Taunton winner on debut found Aintree Grade Two tougher latest (ninth of 20). Fair third of 16 on return at Carlisle last month but suggest she needs to step up on that here.

Form: 19-3

Crossgalesfamegame²¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr S A Morgan| T: F O'Brien

25/1

£22,000 purchase at the Doncaster sales after finishing third in two point-to-points. Joined yard with few equals where bumpers are concerned so merits respect although stablemates look more likely.

Form: 33-

Danse Idol³⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

4/1

Winning point-to-pointer made a fine start to her career under rules when a close second to Relegate at Punchestown. That horse won the Champion bumper here subsequently so form exceptional and now joined top yard.

Form: 12-

Kalifornia³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: H D Daly

25/1

Bangor winner last season was fifth on return at Carlisle behind Mega Yeats beaten 7¼L. 7lb better off with that rival now so should close the gap but reversal less likely.

Form: 7-15

Legends Gold²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss R Curtis

11/1

Winning point-to-pointer in only start was second of 12 first time out under rules at Aintree last month. Solid start that but will need more now stepped up in class.

Form: 1-2

Mega Yeats³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson

8/1

£60,000 purchase after winning lone point-to-point made a very impressive start under rules at Carlisle winning by 3½L with several of these rivals behind. Leading contender based on that and a smart prospect.

Form: 11

Moor Freedom²⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P Gundry

16/1

Outran 50/1 odds when storming home for second on debut at Warwick back in April. Winner that day won lone race since at Ascot so form solid and she therefore can't be ruled out here.

Form: 2-

Mrs Hyde³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| D

14/1

Marked debut for this yard in style when making all at Ludlow last month, eventually winning by 5L. This looks a good bit tougher but this yard's bumper horses are never to be ruled out.

Form: 5-1

Pink Rock

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: E Griffin

33/1

Newcomer by Ascot Gold Cup winner Westerner is a sister to bumper, hurdles and chase winner Azorian out of a once raced mare. Would need to be exceptional to win this first time up.

Form:

Poperinghe Ginger²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson

16/1

Fourth on debut at Southwell last term and went one better to start this campaign at Aintree as she finished third. Up in class now and looks up against it.

Form: 4-3

Royal Illusion¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

5/2

Easy winner on debut at Punchestown and even more impressive subsequently at Cork where she won by 14L and was value for considerably more. Top Irish trainer exceptional with bumper horses and this his lone runner here. Hugely exciting prospect.

Form: 11

Stacey Sue⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: N D Fehily| T: A M Hales| D

14/1

Won two of her three bumpers for previous connections at Cork and at Worcester, Starts out for new yard here but faces a considerably stiffer task although she has earned the chance at it.

Form: P1-121

Tashunka²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Alain Cawley| T: F O'Brien

33/1

Yet to win in six starts including three bumpers more recently. Eighth of 12 at Aintree first time out gives her plenty to prove despite her powerful yard's record in such races.

Form: P/F726-8

The Glancing Queen²⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

8/1

Won lone point-to-point and subsequently bought for £80,000. Starts out under rules here with a tough task although family full of useful bumper performers.

Form: 1-

Forecasts

Royal Illusion (5/2), Danse Idol (4/1), The Glancing Queen (8/1), Mega Yeats (8/1), Cedar Valley (11/1), Legends Gold (11/1), Mrs Hyde (14/1), Stacey Sue (14/1), Poperinghe Ginger (16/1), Moor Freedom (16/1), Kalifornia (25/1), Cardigan Bay (25/1), Crossgalesfamegame (25/1), Pink Rock (33/1), Tashunka (33/1)

ROYAL ILLUSION couldn't have been more impressive in two starts so far as she hacked up at Punchestown and Cork. Willie Mullins sends just this daughter of Kings Theatre over from Ireland today and she will certainly take an awful lot of beating. Most obvious danger has to be Paul Nicholls' new recruit Danse Idol who chased home champion bumper winner Relegate when last seen. In a race filled with smart and exciting prospects Mrs Hyde for bumper king Fergal O'Brien is another worth consideration.