12:15 Kelso

Sunday 29 December 2019

All11:4512:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:10

SPG Fire & Security Ltd Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:18 | Winning time: 4m 44.9s

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Selected odds by:

Millarville⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Callum Bewley| T: Mrs H O Graham| OR: 117| D

22/1

Back over hurdles after two disappointing chasing efforts for this yard having previously been with Oliver Sherwood. Dual novice hurdle winner for that yard her mark looks a stiff one and she comes here with a bit to prove.

Form: 1371-2U

She'sasupermack^h1¹⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 117

25/1

Found her form at the start of the season recording wins at Ayr and Worcester in mares' company. Below-par when last seen in the summer she's now hooded on her return and dropping in trip (both her wins came at 2m4f).

Form: 3-11260

Hidden Dilemma²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Adrian Heskin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 115

10/1

Failed to impress over fences since returning from a break after being a dual winning hurdler in late 2018. 12lb higher than when last in winning form over timber; one of two that the yard run in this race, fair bit to prove.

Form: 279P-30

Baby Ticker¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Callum Whillans⁽³⁾| T: D W Whillans| OR: 111

11/2

Showed the benefit of her reappearance run and a return to her last winning mark when scoring at Hexham earlier in the month. Lightly-raced for her age she's at her best in testing conditions; up 4lb but still of interest in this sphere.

Form: 58/52-41

Sophie Fatale¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 110

8/1

Handicap newcomer who doesn't have that many miles on the clock and based on her last run looks as though she will enjoy this trip. Hardly thrown in off this mark but could get involved in a race where few are ahead of their marks.

Form: 87/2-3

Dieu Benisse⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: P A Kirby| OR: 110

9/1

Ffos Las novice hurdle winner on her last start for Nicky Henderson she's not quite back to the level that she showed for her previous stable. Far from disgraced in both starts though; certainly enters the argument against her own sex.

Form: FF5-154

Birch Vale^p⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 109

22/1

Form has a rather chequered nature since her Hexham win in June off a 3lb lower mark (failed to complete twice). Fell heavily last time out and her jumping remains a cause for concern; chance if remaining upright but comes with risks.

Form: U-71U4F

Buttevant Lady^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 107

100/1

Wexford bumper winner on her only start in Ireland she's yet to make much of an impression for this yard over hurdles. Ran no sort of race on her handicap debut last month at Musselburgh; comes here with questions to answer.

Form: P-5152P

Rubytwo²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 105| BF| C

9/4

Yet to win over hurdles (0-9) she's been knocking at the door in handicaps since returning from a six-month break. Second in her last two starts she was strong in the betting last time here over 2m; raised 3lb she should still be in the picture.

Form: 234-722

Animore^h³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Ross Chapman| T: I Jardine| OR: 101

17/2

Second in her hurdling debut after showing some fair form in bumpers she's never really progressed in three subsequent runs over timber. Typically took a strong hold last time out; now makes her handicap debut but remains unconvincing.

Form: 4325-54

Hermanus^p³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁷⁾| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 91

8/1

Dual handicap winner last year on good ground over slightly shorter trips but offered little on her return to action after 13-months off last month. Well handicapped if she could find her old form; only of interest if there is market support.

Form: 30558-6

Island Mahee^h1¹⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 90

16/1

Lightly-raced sort who hasn't shown much over hurdles so far in four starts with three of those coming at a longer trip than today. Hood now reached for on her handicap debut; hard to make a case for given what she's shown.

Form: 5584

Forecasts

Rubytwo (9/4), Baby Ticker (11/2), Sophie Fatale (8/1), Hermanus (8/1), Animore (17/2), Dieu Benisse (9/1), Hidden Dilemma (10/1), Island Mahee (16/1), Millarville (22/1), Birch Vale (22/1), She'sasupermack (25/1), Buttevant Lady (100/1)

Rubytwo has been knocking at the door in handicaps of late and this represents another chance for her to break her hurdling maiden after two sound efforts. However BABY TICKER may be able to condemn her to the placings once again as she has shown the ability to defy a recent 4lb rise for her Hexham win last time out. Of those making their first start in a handicap Sophie Fatale appeals although she’s not given an easy task off her initial mark. Of the rest the most interesting is Hermanus, well weighted on her old form the market should provide a good indication as to her expectations.