October 23 / 15.53 Southwell

15.53

Good

Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Herring Queen Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4629.1
  • 1m 7f 182y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Herring Queen Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 5-33 BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
No match for the thriving Gale Mahler in a spring Stratford bumper (2m, good; on second rules start); fared okay, without excelling, when placed on last month's hurdles debut at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good; 4-5 favourite); may benefit for that initial experience.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

13th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:42 Stratford

Asian Star

11st 13lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Chasing the last twice and well held; pulled up in her only previous handicap over hurdles but should be on a competitive mark judged on novice form.

7/1

2

31st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

18:00 Stratford

Asian Star

11st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Low-mileage mare who beat Mary in a Southwell novice hurdle (2m, good) in the autumn; pulled up on handicap hurdle debut the following month (bled from the nose) but ran well for a long way on recent chasing debut and could still have significant potential over fences.

7/2

2

31st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

18:00 Stratford

Asian Star

11st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Low-mileage mare who beat Mary in a Southwell novice hurdle (2m, good) in the autumn; pulled up on handicap hurdle debut the following month (bled from the nose) but ran well for a long way on recent chasing debut and could still have significant potential over fences.

7/2

4/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 9P412F D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; plenty of experience, progressive since getting off the mark at Stratford (2m, good to firm) in August; likely to have made a winning chasing debut at Worcester (2m, soft) last month but for falling at the last; sets benchmark on return to hurdles, despite a 7lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

14:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Mary

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Both wins over hurdles came when making all; yet to convince as a chaser, falling in two of her three starts in this sphere; a clear round would be a priority.

7/2

2nd

4

7th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

14:45 Huntingdon

Mary

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Returned to form with front-running win at Warwick (2m3f, good) in September and caught the eye at Stratford (2m, good) last month, after a break, making good headway from a long way off the pace before fading into fifth on the run-in; back up in trip here and it will be interesting to see whether she reverts to much more positive tactics.

5/1

5th

6

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:08 Stratford

Mary

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Returned to form with front-running win at Warwick (2m3f, good) in September but absent since tame finishing effort in November (breathing issue reported) and remains on fairly tough mark.

12/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 315- D

Last run: 228 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made all when justifying favouritism at Ludlow (2m bumper, soft) in January; creditable effort in a Listed mares' bumper at Sandown (2m, soft; fifth of 11) subsequently; has hurdle winners in her family - may prefer further - but interesting to see how she goes in newly applied tongue-tie; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

26th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Bellas Bridge

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Irish point (debut) and bumper winner; yet to improve on bumper form over hurdles (bled from the nose when pulled up at Wetherby on her penultimate start); ran well without really threatening the winner at Chepstow (2m3f, good; first time hood and tongue-tie) latest but that was promising and she still has potential; player.

8/11

2nd

1

16th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

14:02 Chepstow

Bellas Bridge

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Point/useful bumper winner; made mistakes when third of nine on her hurdle debut at Southwell in October, after which she underwent wind surgery (her second such operation); 11-4 second favourite for a 2m3f mares' maiden at Wetherby on Boxing Day but dropped right away and was subsequently found to have bled from the nose; has ability and this is weak so she has to be considered despite the obvious risks; hood now enlisted.

3/1

10/1

Form: 33U2- BF

Last run: 197 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in both bumpers; unseated rider on hurdles debut (Wetherby) and, although finishing runner-up, was unable to justify favouritism in a modest junior event at Hereford (2m, soft; beaten 7l) in April; returns from a marginally longer absence than her much more appealing stablemate Irish Chorus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:23 Uttoxeter

Rockola

11st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Drew well clear of the others with Lahinch Wave when scoring at Worcester (2m4f, good to soft) last month and is now 3-9 over hurdles; latest 5lb rise does not look excessive; must be considered.

4/1

5

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:55 Worcester

Rockola

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

One blip over 3m1f aside she's held her form fine since the winter's Southwell and Huntingdon successes, a refusal to settle just finding her out late at Fontwell latest (2m6f, good); no margin for error following a 2lb rise for not winning that, however.

9/2

2nd

7

15th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

19:10 Fontwell

Rockola

11st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Won her first two handicaps at about 2m4f and at least as good when a closing third at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) 22 days ago; thereabouts.

11/4

Form: 06-3

Last run: 170 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal from the 2021 Becher Chase winner Snow Leopardess; failed to make her mark in bumpers, but there was some encouragement drawn from her opening attempt over hurdles, finishing 21l third at Warwick (2m, good; hooded) in May; this race is likely to form another step in her development.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

13

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Red Panda

10st 13lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Came good over hurdles at seventh attempt, gamely making all at Worcester (2m7f, good) this month; still unexposed over this sort of trip; further progress is possible.

9/2

8

2nd Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Worcester

Red Panda

11st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Remains a maiden under rules, latest when given an attacking ride in first-time cheekpieces (retained) but ending up a well-beaten third of seven finishers at Warwick (2m3f, good) four weeks ago; steps up in trip but stamina may be an issue.

10/1

3rd

5

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Warwick

Red Panda

11st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Her dam is Snow Leopardess, who won the Becher Chase for these connections; this mare has been a long way from hitting those heights but ran well for a fair way at Fakenham (2m4f, good) four weeks ago when back from a break, and she could build on that effort; first-time cheekpieces replace a hood.

13/2

Form: 99-1 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal from a 2m Flat and 2m3f-2m7f hurdle winner; left her opening two efforts behind when making all to spring a 22-1 surprise at Warwick (2m, mares' bumper) recently; Brian Hughes takes over in the saddle on hurdles debut; market could reveal the expectation level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

(11)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 6

16:30 Catterick

Lady Buttercup

9st 4lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Donald McCain

0-7 over hurdles and hasn't threatened on her first three Flat starts; however, this bumper winner goes up in trip off a lowly opening Flat mark and Hollie Doyle has been booked; no surprise to see a good run.

8/1

7th

2

(2)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

15:00 Wetherby

Lady Buttercup

10st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Donald McCain

Bumper winner in September 2024 but 0-7 over hurdles, followed by two low-level performances under Flat rules; best watched for now.

100/1

1

(2)

11th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Lady Buttercup

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: Donald McCain

Bumper winner last September but is 0-7 over hurdles; made some modest late gains when fifth of seven on Flat debut at Ripon (1m2f, good) 17 days ago; likely wants further.

50/1

Form: 33765-

Last run: 197 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Consistent in bumpers but has failed to kick on positively since switching to hurdles, twice beaten in excess of 20l at Hereford, well behind today's rival Rockola there in April; rates as an unlikely candidate today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:10 Hereford

Simply Belle

10st 3lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: David Dennis

prominent

25/1

6th

9

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:10 Hereford

Simply Belle

10st 3lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: David Dennis

prominent

25/1

7th

10

23rd Oct 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:53 Southwell

Simply Belle

10st 13lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: David Dennis

towards rear, mistake 4th, outpaced 3 out, soon lost touch

33/1

Form: 0-3513 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Carries a 7lb penalty for her summer Worcester win (2m, good; on hurdles debut); was returning from a short break when running to a similar level (third) over slightly further at Exeter (2m2f, good) just under a fortnight ago; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:20 Hereford

Hola Hermosa

12st 0lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Matt Sheppard

Won a novice at Worcester (2m, good) last July on hurdles debut; better form in defeat next time but not seen since pulled up at Southwell later in October; makes handicap debut having changed hands and left Fergal O'Brien.

5/1

6th

1

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:20 Hereford

Hola Hermosa

12st 0lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Matt Sheppard

Won a novice at Worcester (2m, good) last July on hurdles debut; better form in defeat next time but not seen since pulled up at Southwell later in October; makes handicap debut having changed hands and left Fergal O'Brien.

5/1

1

23rd Oct 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:53 Southwell

Hola Hermosa

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, lost position 4th, lost touch after 3 out

9/1

Form: 397

Last run: 122 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran green, but showed ability, when placed on Hexham debut (2m bumper, good) in May; failed to build on that in two more attempts in bumpers the following month; switches to hurdles for the first time and, from the family of L'Ami and Kelami, has potential for further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

23rd Oct 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:53 Southwell

Avas Angel

10st 13lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

held up in rear, looked reluctant and detached 1st, slow jump 3rd, tailed off when bad mistake and almost fell 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

33/1

7th

11

23rd Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

17:48 Hexham

Avas Angel

10st 4lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Ran green when encouraging third on debut over C&D (good) last month; failed to settle on slower ground when soundly beaten at Southwell (2m, good to soft) latest; not written off but something to prove after last time.

12/1

9th

6

4th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:15 Southwell

Avas Angel

10st 11lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

From the family of quality staying chasers L'Ami and Kelami; even super-stiff Hexham didn't appear to provide a sufficient stamina test last month (good) and this flatter track might be too sharp, but clearly has talent.

10/1

Non-runners

Irish Chorus

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.50
Straight Forecast £10.32
Trifecta £26.30

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Mary

SPOTLIGHT:

Bellas Bridge

WEST COUNTRY:

Hola Hermosa

The Star:

Asian Star

Telegraph:

Irish Chorus

LAMBOURN:

Bellas Bridge

D Express:

Bellas Bridge

The Sun:

Bellas Bridge

TOPSPEED:

Mary

POSTDATA:

Mary

The Times:

Mary

The Guardian:

Mary

Daily Mail:

Mary

Daily Mirror:

Mary

Daily Record:

Mary