January 23 / 16.13 Huntingdon

16.13

Good To Soft

Pertemps Network Mares’ Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Category 3 Elimination) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £2178.4
  • 1m 7f 171y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
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Pertemps Network Mares’ Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Category 3 Elimination) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 4

Last run: 78 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair effort in sole point and likewise when 9l fourth at 20-1 on bumper debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in November; could do with settling better but the Chepstow form has worked out very well; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

8th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Philippas Choice

11st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Alastair Ralph

Only one place behind a subsequent Listed scorer on rules debut and justified favouritism, despite still seeming green, at Huntingdon (soft) since; possibilities, with further improvement plausible.

14/1

5

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:13 Huntingdon

Philippas Choice

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Fair effort in sole point and likewise when 9l fourth at 20-1 on bumper debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in November; could do with settling better but the Chepstow form has worked out very well; a possible.

13/2

1st

5

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:13 Huntingdon

Philippas Choice

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

made all, increased tempo over 2f out, ran green when faced challenge over 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong

13/2

10/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 84

Last run: 84 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran okay when fourth at 66-1 at Stratford (2m, good to soft) in October on her second start but needs to take another step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

29th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

15:40 Stratford

Slack Alice

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Off the mark at the seventh attempt over hurdles when justifying support at Market Rasen (2m7f, good) 17 days ago; up 7lb but that was an emphatic success and she's open to more progress; big player.

6/4

1st

4

12th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

18:16 Market Rasen

Slack Alice

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Gradual improvement over hurdles, twice hitting the frame at Ludlow (2m5f-3m), getting to within 3l of Son Of Tyran (beaten by Brionywells since) last month; slightly more needed to make the breakthrough from this 1lb higher mark.

5/1

3rd

2

10th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

14:52 Ludlow

Slack Alice

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Maiden under both codes; seemed to appreciate the return to good ground here 18 days ago (2m5f) and having the visor back on was no bad thing; needs a bit more off the same mark but hard to dismiss.

5/1

OUR TIP

5/4

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 62

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Built upon November's debut sixth at Warwick (2m, good to soft) when runner-up at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; has leading claims on that latest form and is open to further improvement for top yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

16th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Diamonds Galore

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Clearly not herself when pulled up in valuable series final in March but quickly got career back on track with odds-on maiden win at Market Rasen (2m, good) last month; returns to a handicap on workable mark and remains lightly raced; shortlisted.

5/2

1st

4

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

14:10 Market Rasen

Diamonds Galore

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Runner-up on first three hurdling starts this season, losing out only narrowly on handicap debut at Ludlow (2m, soft; front pair clear) in February; clearly not herself when pulled up in valuable series final last month but should be fine on the forecast good ground here and will be hard to beat if back on song.

1/2

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:10 Kelso

Diamonds Galore

10st 13lb

J: David Bass

T: Nicky Henderson

Runner-up in two novice hurdles towards end of last year (2m/2m5f, good/good to soft) and filled the same position when beaten half a length on last month's handicap debut at Ludlow (2m, soft); she was well clear of the third last time and could play another leading role even now 4lb higher.

14/1

Form: 4

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point runner-up who was a 17l fourth of nine on last month's bumper debut at Southwell (2m, good to soft; 4-1); took on males in what looked a warm race that day and there's every chance she'll progress; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 146y

Class 3

17:25 Ascot

Dramatic Encore

10st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Harry Derham

Won a Huntingdon maiden (2m5f) last February and took a four-runner handicap at Plumpton (2m2f; second-time cheekpieces) 13 days ago, and good ground is probably okay, but to win this demands a career best.

6/1

1st

2

16th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 169y

Class 4

15:45 Plumpton

Dramatic Encore

11st 9lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Yet to build on her Huntingdon maiden hurdle win last February but she's gone close since; returned to some form when a 12l fourth at this level at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) last month, running without her usual tongue-tie but fitted with first-time cheekpieces; drops in trip here and eased in the weights, so worth considering.

2/1

4th

3

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

15:33 Ludlow

Dramatic Encore

11st 8lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Low-mileage 6yo who won Huntingdon maiden (2m4f, good to soft) just under a year ago; failed to build upon encouraging seasonal/handicap debut when well-held fourth at Sandown (2m4f, soft) in December but has possibilities if aided by new cheekpieces here; tongue-tie left off.

10/1

20/1

Form: 05

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Improved form when 14l fifth at 66-1 at Wetherby (2m, good to soft) in November on her second start; bred to do better still but others have more substance to their claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:03 Ffos Las

Polkaface

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Ben Case

Bits of modest form in her three bumpers and three maiden hurdles, easily best from this sphere over 2m5f at Huntingdon (heavy) on penultimate start; tongue tied last two outings; needs improvement on this handicap debut but it looks a weak race.

8/1

3rd

8

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

14:10 Chepstow

Polkaface

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Ben Case

Better for the tongue-tie when fourth at Huntingdon last month (2m4f, heavy) but posted a modest RPR and might not be up to this.

10/1

4th

7

19th Feb 2026

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

14:16 Huntingdon

Polkaface

11st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Ben Case

No great substance to her bumper form and she was beaten a long way at Doncaster on her switch to hurdling (2m, good; 20-1); now has her tongue tied; much to prove.

20/1

Form: 43

Last run: 68 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth on debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) in October and again showed ability when third there (good) in November; may not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:02 Worcester

Walkingtheline

10st 11lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Steph Cameron

Dual point winner but has looked very limited under rules; 300-1 when pulled up here 15 days ago; the tongue-tie is new.

100/1

12

1st Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:25 Worcester

Walkingtheline

10st 11lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Steph Cameron

Minor form under rules for Tom Lacey; has since gone 2-7 in points; others are much preferred.

28/1

4th

5

19th Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

16:07 Huntingdon

Walkingtheline

10st 12lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

prominent, outpaced before 3 out, soon dropped to last and weakened

8/1

Form: 82/

Last run: 642 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Went close when 150-1 at Bangor (2m, good) in April 2023 and it will be interesting to see how she goes in the betting on this first run since, but it's a very hefty absence to defy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

7th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:15 Newton Abbot

Barford Groover

10st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Kayley Woollacott

in touch with leaders, hit 3 out, weakened 2 out

7/1

6th

6

7th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:15 Newton Abbot

Barford Groover

10st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Kayley Woollacott

in touch with leaders, hit 3 out, weakened 2 out

7/1

4th

7

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

13:59 Newton Abbot

Barford Groover

10st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Kayley Woollacott

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

33/1

Form: 7

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Rare bumper runner for in-form, Flat-orientated yard; this half-sister to three winners is one to watch in the betting on her second start but she failed to settle or threaten on last month's debut at Ludlow (2m, good to soft), when 28-1, and improvement is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

4

19th Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

17:12 Huntingdon

Astra Luna

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Jamie Osborne

towards rear, outpaced home turn, no impression

33/1

9

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:13 Huntingdon

Astra Luna

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Jamie Osborne

Rare bumper runner for in-form, Flat-orientated yard; this half-sister to three winners is one to watch in the betting on her second start but she failed to settle or threaten on last month's debut at Ludlow (2m, good to soft), when 28-1, and improvement is needed.

16/1

8th

9

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:13 Huntingdon

Astra Luna

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Jamie Osborne

took keen hold, towards rear, dropped to last back straight, tailed off

16/1

Non-runners

Hidden Star, Vera Hobbs

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.40
Straight Forecast £26.26
Trifecta £101.30

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Diamonds Galore

SPOTLIGHT:

Philippa's Choice

The Sun:

Walkingtheline

POSTDATA:

Diamonds Galore

LAMBOURN:

Diamonds Galore

The Times:

Diamonds Galore

Telegraph:

Diamonds Galore

The Guardian:

Diamonds Galore

Daily Mail:

Diamonds Galore

Daily Mirror:

Diamonds Galore

The Star:

Diamonds Galore

Daily Record:

Diamonds Galore

D Express:

Philippa's Choice