16:23 Ludlow

Wednesday 26 April 2023

All13:4014:1014:4015:1515:5016:2316:5317:28

Phillip Matthews Memorial Mares' Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 16:23 | Winning time: 5m 10.04s

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Selected odds by:

Our Laura B²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 100

15/2

Reached the frame in a couple of novice hurdles at Sedgefield before making successful switch to handicap company at Newcastle (2½m) 4 weeks ago. Did that quite readily so respected despite a 6 lb rise.

Form: 224441

Symbolic Spirit^p⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 97

25/1

Runner-up on Southwell handicap hurdle debut in November but has disappointed on both runs since. A short break needs to have had a reviving effect.

Form: 4F32P0

Atjima^p³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Alan Johns| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 96

6/1

Bumper winner who opened her account over hurdles in 2½m Ffos Las handicap last month. Stamina possibly stretched by 3m at Taunton since and treated as if still in form.

Form: 67F-P15

Chinook¹⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 91

33/1

Still looking for first success and below form on her stable debut at Exeter in October. Off since.

Form: 087387

Ol'river Shine²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 91

17/2

Third in her sole point and offered something to work on sent hurdling this year, reaching the frame in maiden events around this trip at Wetherby and Plumpton. Possible improver now making a quick switch to handicaps.

Form: 3-43

Iconic Rock³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁷⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 89

16/1

No impact in 2 handicap hurdles last month and has something to prove at present.

Form: 26F-90P

Night Fever²⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 88

13/2

One-time fairly useful performer on the level when trained in Germany but just modest form so far over hurdles, finishing fourth in a couple of handicaps at Worcester in the autumn. Been off for 6 months.

Form: 36544

Dana's Gem⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 87

20/1

Hinted at ability when well-beaten third of 13 in mares novice hurdle at Wincanton on Boxing Day. No show in her 2 outings since but more chance now switching to handicap company. One to monitor in the betting.

Form: 379

Never No Trouble^b³²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 95

17/2

Gained reward for her consistency when winning 8-runner maiden at Hereford (2m, good) in February. Let down by jumping when below-form seventh back in handicap company at Kelso since.

Form: 322317

My Virtue^h³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Alex Edwards| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 82

18/1

Off the mark in points at the third attempt. First sign of encouragement under Rules when fourth in a 2m novice hurdle here last month and could take another step forward back up in trip on handicap debut.

Form: S1-9074

Maid Of The Night⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 79| BF

3/1

Point winner who justified strong support making a winning handicap debut at Hereford (21.5f, good) in February. Weakening when falling 3 out over 3m at Ffos Las since but claims if bouncing straight back to the Hereford form.

Form: 59961F

Div Ine Tara³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 76

12/1

Made the frame on a couple of occasions in bumpers. Yet to better poor form over hurdles, but it's possible she needed the run after 6 months off when fading into a well-held fourth on 20.5f Southwell handicap debut last month. Still early days for a good stable.

Form: 240-374

Happy Index^p⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: P R Webber| OR: 72

22/1

Is bred to be useful jumper but has offered little so far. Handicaps provide her with a more realistic chance but still hard to make a case for.

Form: 66F7

Forecasts

Maid Of The Night (3/1), Atjima (6/1), Night Fever (13/2), Our Laura B (15/2), Never No Trouble (17/2), Ol'river Shine (17/2), Div Ine Tara (12/1), Iconic Rock (16/1), My Virtue (18/1), Dana's Gem (20/1), Happy Index (22/1), Symbolic Spirit (25/1), Chinook (33/1)

OUR LAURA B had something in hand when making a successful start to her handicap career at Newcastle last month and may be able to defy a rise in the weights with the Ben Haslam team continuing in good form. Ol'river Shine and My Virtue both bring unexposed potential to their handicap debuts, while Div Ine Tara might have needed the outing after a break when fading into fourth on her handicap debut and could last longer this time.