While plenty of these need a close look, stepping up markedly in trip may seal the deal for SIOG GEAL and she gets the vote ahead of Jasmine Bliss, who has seemingly shown her hand more but is a class act. Sunset Marquesa and Crazierthandaisy complete the shortlist, while Pismo Beach may be the best of those at longer odds.[Richard Austen]
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Point and dual bumper winner and she's now starting to deliver on that promise, short-priced favourite when winning on good to soft in a maiden at Ludlow (2m5f) and novice at Southwell (extended 2m5f; made all from La Pinsonniere) on her last two starts; tops the weights for this handicap debut but scored easily last time.
Bumper winner and 2-8 over hurdles, latest win over 2m4f at Chepstow in October; ran creditably in face of a stiff task in Listed event at Punchestown in December when last seen; this handicap debut demands improvement and 5lb claimer is enlisted.
Three good-ground wins last June-November, latterly on handicap debut at Ascot (2m7f); pulled up on soft ground in December when she bled from the nose and absent since; even if back to her best, perhaps a little further would be ideal.
Ex-French mare who's had one win (2m Huntingdon maiden) and two seconds from her three starts in Britain, all on good to soft; could not hold a candle to Jasmine Bliss in the closing stages at Southwell (2m4f) 19 days ago, which sees her 7lb better off today but she'll need much better than that performance; cheekpieces are given a go; stable runs three.
Made her mark in bumpers and easily made all over hurdles in a maiden at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) and four-runner novice at Ffos Las (2m, heavy); tongue tied first time in the latter, having been soundly beaten sixth on handicap debut here (2m) on penultimate start; could still be capable of better.
Maiden point winner who came second in her two bumpers and went one better on hurdles debut at Catterick (2m, good; 4-9); best form in defeat on last two outings and a strong candidate for this longer trip on handicap debut.
Won at Southwell and Sedgefield on her first two attempts at this sort of trip but her clash with Jasmine Bliss and La Pinsonniere at Southwell on latest outing did not go well; headgear goes on, plus 7lb claimer, and big overall improvement is required.
Bumper win on good last April; favourite in all three hurdle races, runner-up twice but making no mistake in 16-runner race at Warwick (2m5f, soft; from Come On Nia) on New Year's Eve last time despite having to be switched markedly; can still do better but this slight drop back in trip is a little worrying given her strength at the finish last time; stable runs three.
Bumper winner; 0-7 over hurdles but three times a runner-up, best effort at Ludlow (2m5f) on penultimate start; ran respectably on latest but needs to find extra from somewhere; maybe the wind surgery will provide it.
Always claimer ridden; won handicaps last May (good to soft) and June (good); two seconds late in the year, latterly behind Crazierthandaisy at Warwick (2m5f, soft) when hanging left on the run-in may have conceded the initiative; heavy ground was presumably the excuse behind Sunset Marquesa on latest start but overall improvement is needed.
Made all at Warwick (2m3f, good to soft) in January and second at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) next time; that was progressive but she was handed a 26l beating by Jasmine Bliss at Southwell on latest start and needs to put that well behind her on this handicap debut.
Not lacking in experience with her 1-10 record over hurdles, best efforts over Ludlow's 2m5f (good/good to soft) on last three outings; given wind surgery before latest; absent three months and needs to pull out extra against rivals who appear less exposed.
Has run in two points, a bumper and three hurdle races; major steps forward on good to soft on last two starts when second at Warwick (2m3f) and fourth of 15 at Huntingdon (2m5f); needs better in this warm race for handicap debut but worth a second look for stable which had two winners last week.
Placed over hurdles and fences in France before making all in three-runner 3yo hurdle on British debut at Huntingdon (2m, soft) in December, the two backward steps since are a worry but heavy ground was an excuse last time and she now goes beyond 2m1f for first time since her French days.
Stayed on well to win on her hurdle debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good) in November; good third at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) next time but tailed off on handicap debut at Sandown (2m4f, soft) last month; maybe the return to better ground will help; one of three in this for her stable.
No win after three points, four bumpers and five hurdle races; the last two of those were handicaps in the mud at Bangor (2m and extended 2m3f) in which she was a good fourth on first occasion but pulled up on latest (reportedly made a respiratory noise); trainer won this race in 2021; needs overall improvement.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4,5
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