13.55
SoftApples & Oranges Mares’ Handicap Chase (Challenger Mares’ Chase Series Qualifier)
- Prize money: £6495.63
- 2m 5f 150y
- Class 4
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: 211353
Last run: 26 days
W: 12st 2lb
6 yo Mare
OR: 122
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 3 |
20th Apr 2023 Good 2m 0f 62y Class 3 |
10st 6lb |
Usually consistent but didn't cover herself in much glory when a remote fourth at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft) latest; sole win over fences (1-14) came on her last attempt at this sort of trip, so that may help. |
9/2 |
|
4th 1 |
3rd Apr 2023 Soft 2m 4f 11y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Only 1-13 over fences but she's consistent and ran creditably behind La Renommee over C&D most recently; has form on all types of going; sole handicap win (over hurdles) came off this mark; solid chance. |
11/4 |
|
2nd 1 |
2nd Mar 2023 Good 2m 4f 11y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Came good over fences in quite valuable event at Worcester (2m4f, good) in the autumn; hasn't really kicked on from that success and was no match for clear winner when second at Uttoxeter (2m5f, good to soft) in January but will appreciate this ease in grade and is on a good mark. |
15/8 |
Abandoned
Form: 645-74
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 13lb
6 yo Mare
OR: 119
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 8 |
11th Nov 2023 Soft 2m 4f 35y Class 3 |
11st 3lb |
Three-time hurdle winner; not an instant success over fences last season but seemed to be getting her act together when close/clear second to a course specialist at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft) in April and has possibilities here if fully tuned up. |
7/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
3rd Apr 2023 Soft 2m 4f 11y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Well handicapped on best hurdles form, including a win off 6lb higher; however, finished behind a few of these rivals here last month (third chase attempt) and still has something to prove over fences. |
12/1 |
|
5th 2 |
2nd Mar 2023 Good 2m 4f 11y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Three-time hurdle winner; behind Fortunes Melody when modest fourth on chasing debut at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) on Boxing Day and was pulled up at Hereford in January; comes here with a point to prove. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 31-133 D
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 12lb
8 yo Mare
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
27th Mar 2024 Soft 3m 1f 30y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Returned to form with small-field win in first-time visor at Carlisle (2m5f, soft) last month; remains on a workable mark and will be fine over today's longer trip but was struggling to keep up with Juniper before falling quite heavily at three out at Taunton (2m5f, soft) on latest outing. |
7/2 |
|
2 |
29th Feb 2024 Soft 2m 5f 150y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Made it 2-2 at Carlisle (2m5f; both on soft) when winning the same race for the second time this month (first-time visor replaced blinkers, as today); acts on sharp right-handed tracks as well and, despite going back up 4lb, her first Carlisle win came off this mark; looks good for a big run. |
13/8 |
|
1st 3 |
5th Feb 2024 Soft 2m 4f 198y Class 3 |
11st 3lb |
Hasn't threatened this season but he faced a tough Listed assignment last time and is now 4lb lower than when winning this last year (soft); not ruled out with a first-time visor replacing blinkers. |
11/4 |
Abandoned
Form: 2-1232 BF
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 12lb
8 yo Mare
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 4 |
28th Jan 2023 Good To Soft 2m 4f 189y Class 3 |
11st 3lb |
towards rear, pushed along from 4th, dropped to last 9th, soon behind |
7/2 |
|
2nd 4 |
31st Dec 2022 Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
in touch with leaders, pushed along and lost position 4 out, ridden and ran on from 2 out, no match for winner |
2/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 454-1P BF
Last run: 46 days
W: 11st 11lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
22nd Feb 2024 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Won three-runner chase debut at Warwick (2m4f, soft) in November 2022; right out of form in her three starts since, the latest (way out of her depth) for new yard in December having left Anthony Honeyball; questions to answer. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 54-1R6 CD
Last run: 43 days
W: 11st 10lb
10 yo Mare
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 7 |
13th May 2024 Good 3m 1f 44y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Kept on for very respectable third behind Shirocco's Dream and Do You Think over C&D (good) in November and is now 8lb lower but this regressive 11yo has not been firing on all cylinders for a good while now and was pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) on her latest appearance. |
10/1 |
|
4th 7 |
13th May 2024 Good 3m 1f 44y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Kept on for very respectable third behind Shirocco's Dream and Do You Think over C&D (good) in November and is now 8lb lower but this regressive 11yo has not been firing on all cylinders for a good while now and was pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) on her latest appearance. |
10/1 |
|
2 |
7th Apr 2024 Heavy 3m 0f 54y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
Not firing on all cylinders this season but has become well handicapped, and seemed to be travelling pretty well in second place before slipping and unseating rider on home turn at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) recently. |
9/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 455-22 D
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 6lb
8 yo Mare
OR: 112
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
26th Dec 2023 Good To Soft 3m 1f 30y Class 3 |
11st 8lb |
Bounced back from a disappointing seasonal debut (over hurdles) to win narrowly at Taunton (2m7f, good) last month; will be fine on today's slower ground but has become a hard mare to predict and is on a career-high mark. |
7/2 |
|
1st 1 |
30th Nov 2023 Good 2m 7f 3y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Seemingly boosted by first-time cheekpieces when winning small-field mares' chase here (2m5f, good) in March but was pulled up on both subsequent outings (chase/hurdle) and has become a hard one to predict. |
10/1 |
|
0 6 |
29th Oct 2023 Good To Soft 2m 5f 82y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Ran poorly on last season's sole run over hurdles, while taking well to fences until a respiratory noise was reported on final outing; cheekpieces last two; needs to be back at her best on this first run since wind surgery. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3-6151 C
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 0lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 106
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
5th Jun 2024 Good 3m 1f 170y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
Won back-to-back handicap chases (2m7f/3m) on right-handed tracks two winters ago and she may prefer going that way round; modest form of late in cheekpieces and now tries blinkers. |
20/1 |
|
10 |
14th May 2024 Good 3m 0f 60y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
in touch with leaders |
9/1 |
|
10 |
14th May 2024 Good 3m 0f 60y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
in touch with leaders |
9/1 |
Verdict
Whatsdastory and Fortunes Melody, first and second 12 months ago, should be involved again off identical marks, but this year’s contest might be rather more competitive. Lilith (second choice) and Love Actually command plenty of respect but the strongest claims belong to LADY KK whose close second at Exeter on New Year’s Day has already been franked.[Richard O’Brien]