May 17 / 20.05 Aintree

20.05

Good

Ha Civils Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
RTV
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Ha Civils Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

11/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.70
  • Place: £3.30

Form: 221P4- D

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Assessor quick to respond to January's Doncaster demolition job (2m3.5f, good to soft), the 11lb rise for that appearing to compromise her for win purposes at Ludlow latest; bit extra needed from somewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Masked Dance

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Won this two years ago and was only a short-head away last year; higher in the weights now but had been in career best form until last run which was in a strong handicap; has to be feared.

7/1

6th

8

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 50y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Masked Dance

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Better than ever in her last three starts over 2m5f and 3m; highly likely to run another solid race but this is stronger than she's accustomed to.

12/1

2nd

1

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 3

14:42 Ludlow

Masked Dance

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

In career-best form this season, winning from the front here (2m5f, good to soft) in December before clear second to Magical Maggie over that trip here (soft) three weeks ago; will be on the premises again if suited by today's extra distance.

4/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 11-4 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Unbeaten hurdling record went west on this month's Hereford handicap debut (2m3.5f, good), the litter of errors proving too much to shrug off this time; mark and headgear of choice are both unchanged.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:10 Cartmel

My Chiquita

12st 0lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

A fairly useful 2m4f hurdles winner for Ben Brookhouse; made a promising start for her new yard after eight months off when third of eight over 2m4f at Aintree eight days ago; she should strip sharper here and rates a player off the same mark.

7/1

3rd

1

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

My Chiquita

12st 2lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Runner-up to Masked Dance in this race two years ago and her final two runs of last year were right up there with her best; could easily be a factor if in the same form for new stable after a break.

8/1

2nd

6

11th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

18:05 Uttoxeter

My Chiquita

11st 8lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: B F Brookhouse

Below best in two Flat runs this year but returned to hurdling with close second at Worcester (2m4f, good); might have won that day with greater fluency and only 2lb higher; wouldn't want the ground to slow up.

7/2

5/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 71213- D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
All wins on soft or heavy, and found 2m1f and good ground too sharp for her in a Cheltenham Grade 3 juvenile handicap latest; step back up in trip may prove a plus, but unchanged mark looks prohibitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:40 Limerick

Majestic Jameela

11st 13lb

J: Mr D Allen

T: E McNamara

Three-time hurdles winner whose form slumped in Britain last winter; low-key stable debut at Listowel in June was followed by a fall at Killarney; never in the hunt at Listowel festival; trainer appears to have a better chance with Meehall.

16/1

13th

12

26th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 2f 0y

13:58 Listowel

Majestic Jameela

11st 7lb

J: Ms E C Costello

T: E McNamara

Form took a nosedive for Stuart Edmonds last winter; low low-key stable debut at this track was followed by a fall when last seen at Killarney; can only be watched.

40/1

17

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 85y

18:37 Killarney

Majestic Jameela

10st 13lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: E McNamara

First reserve; struggled for form in Britain over the winter and low-key yard debut since.

Form: /4PFP- D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Hasn't entirely clicked for her over fences yet, and current hurdles mark merely fair set against the pick of her late-2022 winning mares' novice hurdle form (2m3.5f-2m5f); something more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

16th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Aintree

Touchy Feely

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Ran quite well when fourth behind Masked Dance in this race a year ago and is 10lb lower now but has become far too inconsistent to rely upon; pulled up over C&D on latest hurdling start (Boxing Day) and safely held in a chase a few weeks later; needs 112-day break to have done her good.

7/1

8

16th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Aintree

Touchy Feely

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Ran quite well when fourth behind Masked Dance in this race a year ago and is 10lb lower now but has become far too inconsistent to rely upon; pulled up over C&D on latest hurdling start (Boxing Day) and safely held in a chase a few weeks later; needs 112-day break to have done her good.

7/1

6th

7

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 4

12:55 Doncaster

Touchy Feely

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

pressed leader, led narrowly before 2nd, headed before 11th, not fluent 4 out

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 357P1- D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
First win in a year when bouncing back to form at Perth last month (2m4f, soft); 5lb rise makes sense and she won't mind any drier ground, but have to hope the effects of the wind surgery which preceded that success last longer than those of the previous autumn's similar procedure.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:18 Perth

Space Voyage

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Has shown fairly useful form in handicaps at Market Rasen (won by 15l) and Wincanton (ran well under big weight) since wearing blinkers; may have more to offer in the retained blinds.

16/1

3rd

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:18 Perth

Space Voyage

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Has shown fairly useful form in handicaps at Market Rasen (won by 15l) and Wincanton (ran well under big weight) since wearing blinkers; may have more to offer in the retained blinds.

16/1

2nd

1

24th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:00 Wincanton

Space Voyage

12st 9lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Olly Murphy

Four-time winner over hurdles who made it 2-4 over fences with a 15l success in first-time blinkers at Market Rasen (3m, good) eight days ago; Beau Morgan's claim partly offsets the 7lb penalty and she is a major player once again.

8/11

Form: 23410- D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Cashed in a career-low mark at Catterick in March (2m3.5f, soft); class 2 she trailed home last in since was effectively only a 0-121, so can't say this represents a vastly easier assignment; others likelier.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

8th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

15:15 Sedgefield

Could Be Trouble

11st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Scored at Haydock (2m5f) in March and largely in good nick since, though she beat only one in 2m4f Worcester handicap hurdle 33 days ago; she's the sort to bounce back.

14/1

7

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Worcester

Could Be Trouble

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

First-time visor and enjoyed a soft lead when winning at Haydock (2m5f, good) in March; bumped into one when second last time but that still completed a subsequent run of double-figure defeats.

9/1

Form: 136/1- D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Took fair record fresh to a new level when shrugging off a 22-month break to oblige on debut for Ryan Potter at Uttoxeter last month (2m, soft); back up 7lb and there's always the potential to bounce, but is proven over this longer trip and sounder surface before now; 2lb badly in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Lady Malarkey

10st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Ryan Potter

Took fair record fresh to a new level when shrugging off a 22-month break to oblige on debut for Ryan Potter at Uttoxeter last month (2m, soft); back up 7lb and there's always the potential to bounce, but is proven over this longer trip and sounder surface before now; 2lb badly in.

5/1

7th

13

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Lady Malarkey

10st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Ryan Potter

Took fair record fresh to a new level when shrugging off a 22-month break to oblige on debut for Ryan Potter at Uttoxeter last month (2m, soft); back up 7lb and there's always the potential to bounce, but is proven over this longer trip and sounder surface before now; 2lb badly in.

5/1

1st

3

24th Apr 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

18:45 Uttoxeter

Lady Malarkey

10st 13lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Ryan Potter

prominent, led narrowly or disputed lead 5th, pushed along and led clearly 3 out, went clear run-in, comfortably

7/1

Form: 53053-

Last run: 106 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
1-26; taking in a first 0-120 since her November 2021 handicap debut and does so from 13lb out of the weights; surely too big an ask.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

5th Jul 2024

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

17:45 Newton Abbot

Maroochi

10st 11lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Keiran Burke

Sole win (28 races) came when dead-heating in a C&D handicap (good) in 2022; well supported when a good third over 3m2f at this track (good; beaten 2l) last month; should give a good account back in distance.

100/30

3rd

8

5th Jun 2024

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:10 Newton Abbot

Maroochi

10st 4lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Keiran Burke

Sole win (27 races) was at this track in September 2022; chance on some 2023 form but she needs better than on last five outings if she's to win and there are stamina doubts judged on three attempts at about 3m.

10/1

8th

14

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Maroochi

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Keiran Burke

1-26; taking in a first 0-120 since her November 2021 handicap debut and does so from 13lb out of the weights; surely too big an ask.

66/1

Form: 1126F- D

Last run: 193 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Has never won after breaks of over 30 days, so this quick return after two Flat spins for current handler last month rates a plus; sometime tendency to pull too hard very much back on that recent evidence, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

23rd Mar 2025

Good

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Carlisle

Simply Red

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Brian Ellison

held up in rear, steady headway on outer 3 out

9/2

3rd

7

5th Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

14:25 Catterick

Simply Red

11st 3lb

J: William Maggs

T: Brian Ellison

towards rear but in touch with leaders, headway 2 out, went third after 2 out, kept on

14/1

5th

5

(3)

25th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

16:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Simply Red

9st 5lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Four-time hurdle winner; had few chances on the Flat but her recent handicap debut saw her finish eighth of ten when a 50-1 shot; has new combination of accessories today but others appeal more for win purposes.

14/1

Form: 34/25- D

Last run: 336 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Proven capable of running up to her best (and indeed winning) after a lengthy absence, so oughtn't fail for the lack of a run since last June; winless in handicaps but is back on a career-low mark; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

19

3rd May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Nora The Xplorer

11st 9lb

T: M Mullineaux

Peak hurdles rating would give her a chance if she could translate it to the Flat; absence to overcome; new yard.

33/1

4th

19

3rd May 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Nora The Xplorer

11st 9lb

T: M Mullineaux

Peak hurdles rating would give her a chance if she could translate it to the Flat; absence to overcome; new yard.

33/1

9th

5

28th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

21:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Nora The Xplorer

11st 12lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Well beaten on last month's stable debut; that run came after an 11-month absence, she's on a tempting mark and conditions will be preferable; effective in the reapplied blinkers.

8/1

Form: /0330-

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Below-par run in the Scottish Champion Hurdle needs forgiving but had placed twice in class 2/3 company before that and she faces her easiest task in handicaps here; mixed signals as to whether 2m4f is needed, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

15th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 44y

Class 3

14:25 Salisbury

Salsada

9st 9lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Seen far more often over hurdles in recent years and she's pretty useful, but pulled up in March on latest outing; stiff task in a three-runner race last September and that's her only Flat run since a creditable show over C&D (good to firm) in June 2022; down the weights but not solid.

9/1

1

15th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 44y

Class 3

14:25 Salisbury

Salsada

9st 9lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Seen far more often over hurdles in recent years and she's pretty useful, but pulled up in March on latest outing; stiff task in a three-runner race last September and that's her only Flat run since a creditable show over C&D (good to firm) in June 2022; down the weights but not solid.

9/1

1

22nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

14:25 Kelso

Salsada

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

Won two handicaps in a row at Sedgefield (2m4f, good/good to soft) towards the end of last year before tough Grade 2 task at Doncaster; however, only fifth when back in a handicap at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) last month and needs a bigger performance this afternoon.

14/1

Form: 6/145- D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
20l fifth in a Listed Cheltenham novice last time (2m4.5f, good) represented a new form personal best, if still not anything that quite warrants this tough-looking opening mark; more needed again, therefore.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

24th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 3

17:05 Cartmel

Mellificent

10st 10lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Promising novice at up to 3m for Jonjo O'Neill in 2023-24 season but well beaten in two handicaps for new stable this year (2m5f/2m4f), the latter at Hexham a fortnight ago; needs to get career back on track.

25/1

5th

4

24th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 3

17:05 Cartmel

Mellificent

10st 10lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Promising novice at up to 3m for Jonjo O'Neill in 2023-24 season but well beaten in two handicaps for new stable this year (2m5f/2m4f), the latter at Hexham a fortnight ago; needs to get career back on track.

25/1

7th

7

10th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

18:20 Hexham

Mellificent

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Won a 2m4f novice hurdle at Carlisle (soft) in October 2023 when with Jonjo O'Neill; 3l behind Pinot Rouge in a Listed mares' novice the following month (3m, good) but now 9lb better off; pulled up at Ayr last time; had a wind op since; interesting.

20/1

Form: 912F5-

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Pick of her beaten handicap form rates a step up on that shown when victorious in a Doncaster novice previously (16.5f, good to soft), though can't say she's anything much in hand of her mark now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Sammys Guarantee

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Pick of her beaten handicap form rates a step up on that shown when victorious in a Doncaster novice previously (16.5f, good to soft), though can't say she's anything much in hand of her mark now.

14/1

6

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Sammys Guarantee

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Pick of her beaten handicap form rates a step up on that shown when victorious in a Doncaster novice previously (16.5f, good to soft), though can't say she's anything much in hand of her mark now.

14/1

5th

4

25th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

16:35 Huntingdon

Sammys Guarantee

11st 8lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Improved to win at Doncaster (2m. good to soft) in January; stepped up on that when second on handicap debut at Hereford (2m3f, soft); fell at Chepstow only eight days ago but considered on the earlier form.

3/1

Form: 02P3P-

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
December's Newbury Listed mares' novice second (beaten a head) remains an outlier form-wise; have to hope her disappointing handicap debut effort back at the same venue last time was owed to the heavy ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

7th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

15:42 Fontwell

Brave Jen

11st 5lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Cynthia Woods

Won twice for Tom Ellis (2m1f/2m) towards end of last year but suffered 28l defeats on both starts for new stable in February/March (2m/2m4f) and returns from six-month break with quite a bit to prove.

25/1

5th

4

10th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

17:00 Plumpton

Brave Jen

11st 9lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: Cynthia Woods

Won maiden hurdle at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) and a handicap at Market Rasen (2m, soft) when with Tom Ellis; subsequently changed hands for £5,000; well below that form when last of eight at Huntingdon last month on stable debut (2m, good to soft); more needed.

25/1

8th

5

6th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:55 Huntingdon

Brave Jen

11st 9lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: Cynthia Woods

raced in third

7/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £65.90
Straight Forecast £45.71
Tricast £232.04
Trifecta £334.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Space Voyage

Daily Mail:

Lady Malarkey

WEST COUNTRY:

Mellificent

SPOTLIGHT:

Nora The Xplorer

The Sun:

Majestic Jameela

The Times:

Salsada

POSTDATA:

Space Voyage

The Guardian:

Space Voyage

Daily Mirror:

Space Voyage

Daily Record:

Space Voyage

Telegraph:

Mellificent

TOPSPEED:

Nora The Xplorer

D Express:

Lady Malarkey

The Star:

Lady Malarkey