13:30 Cheltenham

Thursday 20 April 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

NAF Challenger Series Mares' Hurdle Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:31 | Winning time: 4m 57.56s

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Selected odds by:

Galice Macalo^t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 127

50/1

Useful hurdler who posted a career best when impressively winning 10-runner handicap at Chepstow (2m) in January. Excuses next time but latest effort was rather tame.

Form: 431450

Sashenka⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Ffrench-Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 120

5/1

Hereford maiden winner last February on final start for Michael Scudamore and in good nick on Flat/over hurdles for new yard, scoring at Newbury in gutsy style last time. Merits respect again.

Form: 041-221

Merry Poppins^p,t⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 119

18/1

Fair form in Ireland and has made a positive start for current stable, runner-up again at Ludlow last time. Others look better treated, however.

Form: 855272

Grivetana³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 119

7/1

Dual winner last term and progressed again when runner-up in handicap company at Newbury (16.3f) on first 2 outings this season. Disappointing at Chepstow last time but not a forlorn hope.

Form: 4-22648

Marada³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 119

18/1

Progressed well over hurdles during 2020/21 as she won novices at Hereford and Huntingdon (twice). However, absent 22 months following that campaign and has struggled so far this season.

Form: 212/007

Dollar Bae³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 119

7/1

Point/bumper winner who has made a bright start over hurdles and resumed progress upped to this trip when scoring at Chepstow a month ago. More to come and looks a big player.

Form: 221151

Lone Star^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 118| D

9/1

At the very top of her game, completing a four-timer in comfortable fashion in a competitive affair at Musselburgh 27 days ago. A well-run race here will suit and another bold showing is expected.

Form: 121111

Windtothelightning⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 117| D

11/2

£35,000 purchase out of the pointing field who has made a bright start over hurdles, completing a hat-trick (straightforward task) in novice at Ayr last time. Still looks ahead of her mark and could be the one to beat.

Form: 2-3111

Mulberry Hill^t¹⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 115| D

28/1

Opened her account in a Worcester maiden at the end of last summer and doubled her tally on the back of a wind op at Carlisle in October. Respectable sixth at Exeter next time but has been off 5 months subsequently.

Form: 224516

Princess T^p,t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 114

22/1

In fine form on the Flat in Jersey last summer, winning four times on the bounce. Also successful twice over hurdles in the autumn and respectable effort back from a break at Ffos Las 29 days ago. Return to quicker ground should suit.

Form: 3-12152

Presenting A Queen⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 114

11/1

Won 2 bumpers and a 19.5f Chepstow novice hurdle on her first 3 starts under Rules. Better form in defeat since, notably when second to Windtothelightning on 20.5f Market Rasen handicap debut 58 days ago, but she has shown signs of temperament.

Form: 11-1242

Lime Drop⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 114

25/1

Five-time winner last season and back to form when runner-up at Newbury in December. Not in the same form at Exeter since and this looks too competitive.

Form: 214-829

Terresita³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 114

8/1

Won 3 times last term, including a Kempton novice (21f) on her final outing. Hasn't quite recaptured that form during the current season, but latest third to Dollar Bae was a step in the right direction.

Form: 543743

Could Be Trouble^b1,t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 112| D

66/1

Fairly useful hurdler who posted a respectable fourth of 6 in 20.5f handicap at Market Rasen on penultimate outing but was below par at Uttoxeter last time. Blinkers now tried.

Form: 43F445

Malaita⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Alex Edwards| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 107

20/1

Bumper winner who, having been given a chance by the handicapper, belatedly got off the mark over hurdles in 14-runner handicap at Carlisle (17f, good to soft) 2 months ago, suited by the emphasis on stamina. Task is now backing that up.

Form: 623-641

Well Vicky³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: C Gethings| T: A Ralph| OR: 103| BF| D

17/2

Looked a different proposition switched to handicaps, racking up a quick-fire hat-trick with victories at Hereford (19.7f), Bangor (19.6f) and Plumpton (15.9f). Creditable fourth to Dollar Bae at Chepstow last time but the handicapper might have caught up.

Form: 061114

Brown Bullet^h²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁵⁾| T: A Irvine| OR: 94

66/1

Back on the scoreboard in 7-runner handicap hurdle at Plumpton (15.9f, soft) in March and not disgraced at Chepstow 2 days later. Faces a stiff task from out of the weights, though.

Form: P37313

Non-Runners

Progressive²⁹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: Dr R D P Newland J: Luke Scott

Forecasts

Sashenka (5/1), Windtothelightning (11/2), Dollar Bae (7/1), Grivetana (7/1), Terresita (8/1), Progressive (8/1), Well Vicky (17/2), Lone Star (9/1), Presenting A Queen (11/1), Merry Poppins (18/1), Marada (18/1), Malaita (20/1), Princess T (22/1), Lime Drop (25/1), Mulberry Hill (28/1), Galice Macalo (50/1), Could Be Trouble (66/1), Brown Bullet (66/1)

This is fiercely competitive but WINDTOTHELIGHTNING still appears to have a lot of improvement left in her and she's fancied to complete a hat-trick. Dollar Bae and Lone Star, another pair of improving types, could pose a serious threat, while there are a whole host of others for whom a case can be made.