December 16 / 15.35 Cheltenham

15.35

Soft

Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 4f 56y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV
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Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 1124/7 BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Absent 613 days but co-favourite when soundly beaten on chase debut at Exeter last month; needs to prove how much ability she retains but she was fourth in the Grade 2 Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival (2m1f, soft) and looked a good prospect at that stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

2

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Nurse Susan

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Useful mare whose record of 6-12 over hurdles includes two handicap wins over C&D and Listed honours at Sandown; heavy ground possibly contributed to a form-dip last time; faded into midfield in this race last year but was ridden more prominently than usual; on a stiffer mark this time.

14/1

4th

5

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 1

14:50 Fontwell

Nurse Susan

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced and thriving, better than ever at the age of nine; took hurdles record to 6-11 when staying on strongly to win Listed event at Sandown (2m4f, good; handles soft) early last month; has a 4lb penalty for that but she's very well entered up at the Cheltenham festival next month and commands plenty of respect here.

3/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: F5277-

Last run: 268 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
2m6f maiden winner and twice runner-up since in 3m handicaps, all in the mud; those were her best results for Paul Nolan in Ireland, whom she left for £28,000 in May; had wind surgery since and the cheekpieces worn on last three starts are replaced by a hood; probably needs a career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

16th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Martha Divine

10st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

2m6f maiden winner and twice runner-up since in 3m handicaps, all in the mud; those were her best results for Paul Nolan in Ireland, whom she left for £28,000 in May; had wind surgery since and the cheekpieces worn on last three starts are replaced by a hood; probably needs a career best.

12/1

7th

7

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

3m 0f 0y

15:50 Cork

Martha Divine

11st 1lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Paul Nolan

Maiden winner last year has mostly acquitted herself creditably in handicaps since; not beaten far on last two starts and shouldn't be too far away again.

9/1

7th

11

19th Feb 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 115y

15:45 Punchestown

Martha Divine

10st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Paul Nolan

Stayed on well to win a 2m6f course maiden hurdle last February; second on her handicap debut in a competitive Cork contest at Easter; returned to form when second at Fairyhouse last month; closely matched with Cher Why Not on that running.

6/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: P32F-1

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
No ground worries; 0-6 as chaser last term; reverted to hurdles at Wincanton (2m5f) five weeks ago, always prominent and pulling out more to win at 18-1; while best form is a bit better than that, she has a tough 10lb higher mark today because she's 5lb out of the handicap; blinkers (worn on last two starts last season) return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 2

15:55 Doncaster

Good Look Charm

10st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

raced in second, lost position before 2 out

8/1

8th

9

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

15:05 Haydock

Good Look Charm

10st 12lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

Ran well on first four starts last season, latterly over an extended 2m7f, and she was back to that peak form when winning in clearcut style at Sandown (2m4f, heavy) six weeks ago under claimer Chad Bament; respected even though she's up 5lb and may well need a career best.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1113-1 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
3-5 during first season over hurdles, signing off with third of 17 in competitive series final over C&D (good) in April; first run on soft when reappearing at Wetherby (2m3f) six weeks ago and she led three out to win easily by 9l; 12lb rise is the stumbling block but she has to be in serious calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:35 Haydock

Windtothelightning

11st 1lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Mare who was progressive last year and returned to form when seventh of 15 at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month, beaten just under 3l; she went very close in a 3m point and this first attempt at a staying trip under rules is worth a go; not discounted.

11/1

4th

9

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:35 Haydock

Windtothelightning

11st 1lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Mare who was progressive last year and returned to form when seventh of 15 at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month, beaten just under 3l; she went very close in a 3m point and this first attempt at a staying trip under rules is worth a go; not discounted.

11/1

7th

4

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Windtothelightning

11st 5lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

midfield, lost position 5th

12/1

Form: U115-P D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Three wins during first season over hurdles, the most notable in 15-runner Grade 2 mares' handicap at Newbury (2m4f, soft) in March; signed off with a lesser effort here in April and pulled up on reappearance five weeks ago but it's far too soon to dismiss her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 198y

Class 4

15:05 Carlisle

Ilovethenightlife

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Just one win from her 11 chase starts and inconsistent this season but she ran okay in the face of a tough task when third of five in Listed race at Newbury (2m7f, good to soft) three weeks ago; capable of having a big say now back in a handicap.

7/2

3rd

2

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 1

15:15 Newbury

Ilovethenightlife

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Record of only 1-10 over fences and rather exposed; distant second on penultimate start and never landed a blow in competitive handicap at Cheltenham latest; however, best form suggests she can achieve a top-three finish in this field.

10/1

5

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Ilovethenightlife

11st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-time hurdle winner and prevailed narrowly in a 2m4f mares' handicap chase at Kempton in November (good); hasn't really threatened to go in again since then and cheekpieces are added to the tongue-tie tried last time.

14/1

Form: 1128-1 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Has had a fine year over hurdles and on the Flat; no ground worries; last month's impressive Kempton win (5lb higher today) came front-running over 3m, admittedly firmly in charge all the way up the straight but there's a concern that this drop back in trip is not ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(10)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:13 Nottingham

Coquelicot

10st 1lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Anthony Honeyball

made virtually all, increased tempo over 4f out, pushed along 3f out, clear when ridden over 1f out, reduced lead but kept on inside final furlong, gamely

14/1

1st

4

(10)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:13 Nottingham

Coquelicot

10st 1lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Anthony Honeyball

made virtually all, increased tempo over 4f out, pushed along 3f out, clear when ridden over 1f out, reduced lead but kept on inside final furlong, gamely

14/1

10th

4

22nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

16:08 Newbury

Coquelicot

11st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Made all in Listed mares' hurdle at Kempton (3m, good to soft) in November and was runner-up (beaten 12l) in another at Haydock the last time, which was a good run back at 2m3f (heavy); should give her running but others might be better in.

10/1

Form: 3163-3 CD BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Won here in April 2022 and creditable sixth of nine when 50-1 in the Grade 1 Mares' Hurdle here (2m4f, soft) this March; not disgraced on Ascot reappearance, despite being only third of five as favourite, but might not be well enough handicapped to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

12th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

16:10 Cheltenham

Theatre Glory

11st 5lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

pressed leaders

100/1

5th

4

28th Jan 2024

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 1

14:35 Doncaster

Theatre Glory

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful at up to 2m5f and has Graded form; running respectably when final-flight faller in Cheltenham handicap most recently; some of her relatives have 3m form and she shapes accordingly; interesting upped in distance.

11/2

0

1

16th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Theatre Glory

12st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Won here in April 2022 and creditable sixth of nine when 50-1 in the Grade 1 Mares' Hurdle here (2m4f, soft) this March; not disgraced on Ascot reappearance, despite being only third of five as favourite, but might not be well enough handicapped to win this.

5/1

Form: 511-52

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Doughty 9yo, usually ridden these days by Kit Alexander; front-running sort who was back to her best when second of ten at Haydock (2m3f, good to soft) three weeks ago; effective in the mud but not proven over quite this far and probably too exposed to see off all of today's younger rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

17th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 2f 191y

Class 1

13:02 Haydock

Stainsby Girl

11st 2lb

J: Mr Kit Alexander

T: N W Alexander

made virtually all, went well clear from 3 out, ridden out run-in, unchallenged

5/1

5th

6

27th Jan 2024

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 1

14:05 Doncaster

Stainsby Girl

11st 2lb

J: Mr Kit Alexander

T: N W Alexander

took keen hold, led, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last

25/1

0

2

16th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Stainsby Girl

11st 9lb

J: Mr Kit Alexander

T: N W Alexander

Doughty 9yo, usually ridden these days by Kit Alexander; front-running sort who was back to her best when second of ten at Haydock (2m3f, good to soft) three weeks ago; effective in the mud but not proven over quite this far and probably too exposed to see off all of today's younger rivals.

16/1

Form: 112-24

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Began hurdling career with consecutive wins in February/March (1m7f/2m) then showed better form going close in Cheltenham Listed race (2m4f; fluffed the last) and Market Rasen handicap (2m7f); back from summer break with a creditable run on heavy two months ago, which she may well build on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(10)

10th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:25 Bath

Zestful

10st 0lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Martin Keighley

Dual hurdle winner; only 6l away last time at Pontefract (2m1f, good to firm) on ground that would have been on the lively side for her; can see her going well.

15/2

5th

6

(2)

19th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 5

16:05 Pontefract

Zestful

9st 11lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Martin Keighley

took keen hold, midfield, headway after 8f, outpaced over 2f out, kept on

10/1

11th

8

(9)

19th Aug 2024

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 5

14:15 Catterick

Zestful

10st 13lb

J: Mr Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

midfield, outpaced then weakened over 3f out

12/1

Form: 2121-1 C

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Listed bumper winner here and won two of four hurdle races last season, including a 2m handicap at Kelso (soft); reappeared with another win in handicap at Hereford (2m, good; by a neck; up 5lb today) last month and she's bred to be suited by at least this far, so further improvement looks on its way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

7th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 3

15:20 Ludlow

Bonttay

11st 12lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Listed bumper winner in 2021 and won two of four hurdle races last season, including on her only start in cheekpieces, which return today; reappeared with another 2m handicap win (Hereford) and, bred to be suited by at least 2m4f, she was a hot favourite when upped to that trip at Cheltenham in December, only to unseat two out when challenging; can make amends, with plenty more to offer over this sort of trip.

6/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £57.40
Straight Forecast £53.81
Tricast £835.13
Trifecta £682.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bonttay

RP RATINGS:

Theatre Glory

Daily Mirror:

Windtothelightning

Telegraph:

Nurse Susan

WEST COUNTRY:

Ilovethenightlife

The Star:

Windtothelightning

Daily Mail:

Nurse Susan

TOPSPEED:

Bonttay

POSTDATA:

Bonttay

The Times:

Bonttay

The Guardian:

Bonttay

D Express:

Bonttay

Daily Record:

Bonttay

LAMBOURN:

Theatre Glory

The Sun:

Theatre Glory