Betway Cosmic Case Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 3m 58.65s

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Selected odds by:

Dieu Benisse¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Ross Chapman| T: P A Kirby| OR: 110| D

7/1

Ffos Las novice hurdle winner on her last start for Nicky Henderson, but yet to match that form for new connections, and took a heavy fall at Kelso last time. Needs to prove that experience has not left a mark.

Form: F5-154F

Flood Defence⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R D Day| T: I Jardine

22/1

Heavy ground scorer at Carlisle (1m3f, heavy) in August, and had excuses for a couple of lesser efforts since. Ran badly on final Flat start, though, and no easy task now embarking on a hurdles career.

Form:

Movin'on Up^b1¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: K Dalgleish

66/1

Soundly beaten in two starts in bumpers, not looking an easy ride. Now blinkered for hurdles debut, but has something to prove, not least his temperament.

Form: 160

Royal Cosmic²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: R A Fahey| OR: 102| C

4/1

Fair performer at up to 1¾m on the flat, and better effort over hurdles when a promising third of 14 to Full of Surprises in mares novice at Catterick last time. Should make a bold showing if building on that.

Form: 33

Set In Stone²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies| C

7/1

Winner twice on soft ground at Hamilton on the Flat this year. Better than the result when sixth of 14 to Full of Surprises in mares novice at Catterick on hurdling debut, and may do better, but held by Royal Cosmic on that form.

Form: 6

Shabba Dada Do²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr

40/1

Not badly bred with this job in mind, but failed to win in points, and has shown only a modicum of promise over hurdles, albeit carried out last time.

Form: 420C

Smart Lass⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| C

6/4

Won her last two starts in flat handicaps here in the autumn, and shaped well when second of 12 to Timetochill in a 2m mares novice here on hurdles bow. Respected on that form, and going the right way.

Form: 2

Winfola¹¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby

7/2

Won twice on the flat in France this year, showing fairly useful form, and joined current yard for €22,000 in November. Will go well if translating her form to jumps at first time of asking.

Form:

Forecasts

Smart Lass (6/4), Winfola (7/2), Royal Cosmic (4/1), Set In Stone (7/1), Dieu Benisse (7/1), Flood Defence (22/1), Shabba Dada Do (40/1), Movin'on Up (66/1)

ROYAL COSMIC would be a very appropriate winner of this contest, and appeals most after a solid third at Catterick last time. Smart Lass is also going the right way, and has solid place claims, with Winfola a threat to all if translating her fairly useful flat form to hurdles at the first attempt.