15:15 Newbury

Saturday 22 March 2025

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

BetVictor British EBF 'National Hunt' Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 2.5s

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Selected odds by:

Jasmine Bliss^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 125| C| D

10/3

Irish point winner who was successful twice in bumpers last season and has repeated the feat over hurdles with wins in maiden at Ludlow (21f, soft) and novice at Southwell (20.5f, good) in recent weeks. While it's hard to argue an opening mark of 125 looks generous she surely has more to offer.

Form: 11-2411

Rockstown Girl^t¹⁰²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Oakley Brown⁽⁵⁾| T: A McCann| OR: 121

18/1

Fairly useful hurdler, winning 2m maiden at Tipperary and 19.5f novice at Chepstow in the first half of the season. Stiff task and ran to form when 14 lengths seventh in Punchestown listed novice when last seen in December. Makes handicap debut after break.

Form: 1431F7

Scarlet O'Tara⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Luke Scott⁽³⁾| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 119

12/1

Added to her maiden/novice wins in the first half of the season when landing a 3m Ascot handicap in November. Ran poorly (found to have bled) in a Carlisle handicap in December and off since. Others are more obvious,

Form: 3-1211P

La Pinsonniere^p1¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 118

10/1

Useful form in France and struck at the second time of asking for Nicky Henderson in 2m Huntingdon maiden in January. Jasmine Bliss was 11 lengths too strong for her at Southwell since but she's the mount of Nico de Boinville from the yard's trio. Cheekpieces are added for handicap debut.

Form: 336-212

Sunset Marquesa^t⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 117

13/2

Bumper winner who gained a second hurdle success when seeing off 3 rivals in a 2m Ffos Las novice (heavy) last month. First-time tongue tie worn on that occasion retained. This is her first outing beyond 2m.

Form: 33-2161

Siog Geal³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 116| BF

5/2

£80,000 Irish point winner who showed plenty in a couple of bumpers and made a successful start over hurdles when a warm order at Catterick (2m) in December. Better form in defeat twice since and her opening handicap mark looks very workable with the prospect of more to come at 2½m.

Form: 1-22142

Jakana^p1¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Fern O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 111

25/1

Landed maiden/novice wins around 2½m in December/January. Looked a bit ungainly when a below-par fifth to Jasmine Bliss in Southwell novice 19 days ago and cheekpieces are reached for now handicapping for the first time.

Form: 9-32115

Betty's Tiara³⁰

14/1

Disappointed on Taunton handicap debut just after Christmas but has bounced back to form with placed efforts in mares' maidens at Ludlow (second to Jasmine Bliss) and Huntingdon. Has had wind surgery.

Form: 72-5523

Come On Nia⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁵⁾| T: Andrew Martin| OR: 107

20/1

Improved away from the mud when winning back-to-back 2m handicaps last summer. Flopped on heavy ground at Ffos Las 6 weeks ago but these conditions should be more to her liking. Proven at this trip.

Form: 118224

I Am The Moon¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N A Twiston-Davies| OR: 107

22/1

Acquitted herself well in a couple of bumpers and improved on hurdling debut effort to justify support in a Warwick novice in January. Matched that form when runner-up at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy) the following month but well behind Jasmine Bliss and La Pinsonniere at Southwell since. Handicap debut.

Form: 544124

Of Course You Can^t⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 106| BF| D

20/1

Off the mark in a 21f Ludlow handicap in October and creditable placed efforts there on her 2 outings since. Returns from a 3-month break with her stable in form.

Form: 4F8132

Pismo Beach³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 105

14/1

Hinted at ability sole outing in bumpers last summer and has made steady progress in maiden/hurdles since. Appeals as one who should have more to offer now moving into handicaps.

Form: 4F-6624

Clotilda^t⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117

25/1

Fair juvenile hurdler in France who made a winning start for Paul Nicholls at Huntingdon (2m) in December. Has disappointed in 2 outings since and now steps up in trip for handicap debut in a bid to get her career back on track.

Form: 223143

Either Way³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: N J Henderson| OR: 101

40/1

Runner-up sole start in Irish points and stepped up on bumper efforts when making a winning hurdling debut at Uttoxeter (2m) in November. Improved under a penalty when third of 7 in novice at Ludlow (21f, soft) in December but disappointed on Sandown handicap debut last month.

Form: 2-95135

The Secret Pearl^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 101

40/1

Matched the pick of her novice form sent handicapping when fourth of 11 at Bangor last month but reported to have made a respiratory noise when pulled up there since.

Form: 0-3354P

Non-Runners

Crazierthandaisy⁸¹

Weight: 10-10| Age: 6

T: N J Henderson J: James Bowen

Forecasts

Siog Geal (5/2), Jasmine Bliss (10/3), Sunset Marquesa (13/2), La Pinsonniere (10/1), Crazierthandaisy (10/1), Scarlet O'Tara (12/1), Pismo Beach (14/1), Betty's Tiara (14/1), Rockstown Girl (18/1), Come On Nia (20/1), Of Course You Can (20/1), I Am The Moon (22/1), Clotilda (25/1), Jakana (25/1), The Secret Pearl (40/1), Either Way (40/1)

SIOG GEAL should relish the step up to 2½m and can strike from what looks a favourable opening handicap mark. Pismo Beach, Crazierthandaisy and Jasmine Bliss are other newcomers to the handicap ranks who should have more to offer.