14.05
HeavyHappy Birthday Tom Hughes Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £3696.7
- 1m 7f 50y
- Class 5
- 6 runners
Runners: 6 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
Abandoned
Form: -27142
Last run: 19 days
W: 12st 0lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 100
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
20th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 161y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Progressive mare with three wins this season; respectable sixth in stronger company at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) last time, 4.5l behind Game Colours; better off at the weights with that rival and a bold bid for a fourth win of the campaign can be expected if she handles these more testing conditions. |
2/1 |
|
1st 1 |
10th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 11y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
2-8 over hurdles; signed off in good form in the spring, making all at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good), but is 5lb higher now and may not enjoy such a favourable tactical scenario this time. |
100/30 |
|
1st 3 |
7th May 2025 Good 2m 0f 167y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
made all, faced challenge 2 out, ridden and wandered around but ran on well approaching last, went clear run-in, comfortably |
3/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 833
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 13lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 99
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 |
28th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 110y Class 5 |
11st 9lb |
Ultimately disappointing over hurdles (0-12) but she has some competitive form off this sort of mark and a pointing background bodes well for this switch to fences. |
100/30 |
|
4 |
12th Apr 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 9lb |
Three seconds among her minor honours but below form on last three outings, with tongue tied on last two; a leading contender if judged on her Southwell second (extended 2m4f, good to soft) in December. |
6/1 |
|
4th 4 |
24th Mar 2026 Good 2m 4f 88y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Beaten a length over C&D (good to soft) in December but hard to trust after two heavier defeats (first-time tongue-tie last time); bit risky. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3F5-35
Last run: 36 days
W: 11st 8lb
6 yo Filly
OR: 94
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
6th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 1m 7f 50y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
prominent, in touch with leaders 4th, mistake 5th, reminders before 6th, overjumped and fell 3 out |
15/2 |
|
5th 3 |
21st Jan 2025 Heavy 2m 4f 110y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Glimpses of promise in a bumper and maiden hurdles; came in for some support on her handicap and seasonal debut at Southwell (2m4f, good) last month, when doing much of the work before weakening to be an 18l third; tongue-tie now goes on and no surprise if she finds an improved finishing effort. |
11/2 |
Abandoned
Form: P6-978 D
Last run: 26 days
W: 10st 12lb
8 yo Mare
OR: 84
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 5 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 100y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
9yo who is exposed over hurdles but she scored over C&D (soft/good to soft) in two of her last three starts; 3lb higher than for her last win two weeks ago but she remains feasibly treated and should get a decent tow into this race; shortlisted. |
11/4 |
|
1st 10 |
26th Mar 2026 Good 2m 3f 100y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Drew clear to win by over 9l over C&D (soft) in February, opening her hurdling account at the 16th attempt; not sure to be ideally suited by today's forecast quicker ground but her 5lb higher mark ought to be manageable, and she certainly didn't run badly on heavy going at Ffos Las this month. |
5/1 |
Abandoned
Form: PP6
Last run: 22 days
W: 10st 4lb
9 yo Mare
OR: 76
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12 |
25th Mar 2025 Good 2m 0f 104y Class 5 |
10st 4lb |
prominent, lost position 4 out, pulled up before 3 out |
40/1 |
|
5th 8 |
6th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 1m 7f 50y Class 5 |
10st 4lb |
led |
33/1 |
Abandoned
Form: P7-9P5
Last run: 19 days
W: 10st 2lb
5 yo Filly
OR: 74
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 9 |
5th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 8y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
Still winless after 20 starts but placed over hurdles and fences at up to 2m4f (all on a sound surface); did too much too soon when failing to see it out at Exeter (2m, good) last time but had been running consistently well beforehand from this sort of mark and could have a part to play back over fences. |
8/1 |
|
3rd 9 |
17th Apr 2026 Good To Firm 2m 0f 161y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
0-19 but placed over both hurdles and fences at up to 2m4f (all on a sound surface); has been competitive from this mark on her last three starts and should be again. |
9/4 |
|
3rd 8 |
7th Apr 2026 Good 2m 3f 48y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Longstanding maiden but was close up in her final handicap hurdle and ran okay in her first chase (2m2f, good), for all that she was no match for the clearcut winner; should have a role to play. |
7/2 |
Verdict
This small field for her handicap debut may offer the right opportunity for FEET ON THE GROUND, who’s improved over 2m on soft ground on her last two starts. Prairie Queen is a left-field suggestion for the chief danger, as she lacks any solid form, but there was a whiff of ability last time and she’s the youngster of the party. Sweet Caryline and Coco Brave have less to prove but are at the other end of the weights.[Richard Austen]
Selections
SPOTLIGHT:
Feet On The GroundRP RATINGS:
Sweet CarylineThe Times:
Feet On The GroundDaily Mail:
Feet On The GroundD Express:
Feet On The GroundThe Sun:
Feet On The GroundThe Star:
Feet On The GroundDaily Record:
Feet On The GroundPOSTDATA:
Sweet CarylineWEST COUNTRY:
Sweet CarylineTelegraph:
Sweet CarylineThe Guardian:
Sweet CarylineDaily Mirror:
Sweet Caryline