October 25 / 16.05 Bangor-on-Dee

16.05

Good

Arthur Shone Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Mares’ Hurdle Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £5064.78
  • 2m 3f 123y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Arthur Shone Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Mares’ Hurdle Series Qualifier)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.30

Form: /322P-

Last run: 226 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Puzzling final effort but that was back in March and she had previously run right up to her best in two runs following a wind operation; on a handy mark and the recent rain has been a blessing to her chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

1st Apr 2023

Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

17:05 Uttoxeter

Getaweapon

11st 10lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Clearcut winner at Bangor (2m3f, good to soft) in the autumn but has struggled since, cheekpieces failing to have the desired effect at Market Rasen (2m7f; sixth of seven) on latest start; needs to rediscover her spark.

12/1

6th

3

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

14:40 Market Rasen

Getaweapon

11st 6lb

J: Kai Lenihan

T: Kim Bailey

Kept on well for clear win on seasonal debut at Bangor (2m3f, good to soft) in October but her next two runs were disappointing; needs combination of 82-day break and first-time cheekpieces to prompt a return to form.

12/1

8th

4

20th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

12:15 Ludlow

Getaweapon

11st 10lb

J: Miss Lauren Keen-Hawkins

T: Kim Bailey

Well on top at Bangor in October (2m3f, good to soft; 6lb lower) but she offered little resistance once headed at Warwick and dropped right out; likely contender if shrugging aside that disappointment and she stays this far.

15/2

5/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 7-5855

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Record of 1-14 as a hurdler in Ireland and appeared to be treading water this summer; has changed stables for £16,500 and her new trainer could eke out some improvement; cheekpieces go on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

2nd Jul 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

15:52 Uttoxeter

Merry Poppins

10st 12lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

midfield, not fluent 7th

6/1

3rd

1

27th May 2023

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:15 Cartmel

Merry Poppins

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

led, headed and prominent before 2nd, chased clear leader 4th

13/8

3rd

13

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:35 Haydock

Merry Poppins

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Ex-Irish mare who finished second on three of her four starts for Donald McCain last season (all in cheekpieces), most recently when going close in series final at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month; still unexposed over 3m; a possible if today's headgear switch has any beneficial effect.

14/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 2721-4

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Made the most of a penalty kick at Ludlow last October when odds of 2-5 for a three-runner mares' novice; that remains her only success in 36 career starts and she was never really involved at Cartmel last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

25th May 2024

Soft

3m 1f 83y

Class 3

17:10 Cartmel

Sinndarella

11st 10lb

J: Chris Ward

T: Sarah Hollinshead

Still 4lb higher than when winning over 2m6f here (good to soft) last summer but did not run badly when seventh in competitive series final at Musselburgh last month and is sure to be suited by the return to this track; major player if stamina holds out (unraced beyond 2m7f).

5/1

5th

3

25th May 2024

Soft

3m 1f 83y

Class 3

17:10 Cartmel

Sinndarella

11st 10lb

J: Chris Ward

T: Sarah Hollinshead

Still 4lb higher than when winning over 2m6f here (good to soft) last summer but did not run badly when seventh in competitive series final at Musselburgh last month and is sure to be suited by the return to this track; major player if stamina holds out (unraced beyond 2m7f).

5/1

Form: 46322- BF

Last run: 186 days

W: 11st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Very creditable second in a Grade 3 fillies' handicap at Cheltenham (2m1f, good) in April and it was only a week later when no match for Herewegohoney in a Chepstow novice; not weighted to reverse those placings but slower ground may help her cause (coped well with it in France); considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

6th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 1

14:20 Huntingdon

La Renommee

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Record of 6-16 over fences; broke her Listed duck in Doncaster contest (2m4f) most recently, taking advantage of odds-on Brides Hill's below-par show; chance of following up partly depends on whether that opponent, who beat her by 6l in this event last year, is back on song.

4/1

4th

2

6th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 1

14:20 Huntingdon

La Renommee

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

raced in second

4/1

1st

4

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 115y

Class 1

13:38 Doncaster

La Renommee

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

in touch with leaders, went second 11th, going best when not fluent 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well run-in

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2F411- D

Last run: 186 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Looked progressive last season and gave La Renommee 10lb and a near 3l beating in a 2m3f novice at Chepstow (good; previous win on good to soft), with the two of them a distance clear of Maid On The Moon; an RPR of 116 that day suggests that this mark should be manageable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:50 Southwell

Herewegohoney

11st 13lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

soon led, not fluent 3rd, hit 9th

12/1

5th

1

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:50 Southwell

Herewegohoney

11st 13lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Badly out of form over hurdles and fences since returning last summer from a layoff; lurks on a dangerous mark and will be suited by today's trip/ground but needs to turn a corner.

12/1

5th

3

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Herewegohoney

11st 8lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

raced in fourth, not fluent and dropped to last 7th, mistake 4 out, weakened before 2 out

8/1

14/1

Form: 24623- BF

Last run: 214 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Second to the right horse in a 2m maiden at Hereford (good to soft; first-time hood) before clearly not giving her running when tailed off at odds-on back there in March (2m5f); probably on a decent mark should it all come together.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 3

15:55 Hereford

Malaita

11st 1lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Mel Rowley

Two chase wins at about 2m4f in early 2024 (soft and good); has not found life easy this winter but 3m found her out on her latest start (first-time tongue-tie; cheekpieces now added) and the return to shorter on good ground should suit; bold bid likely.

3/1

2nd

2

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:42 Market Rasen

Malaita

11st 6lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Mel Rowley

Has won twice over fences, both over 2m4f; fair third in a mares' handicap at Ludlow last time (2m4f, soft); could go well but perhaps better at shorter.

9/4

3rd

6

18th Feb 2026

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:05 Ludlow

Malaita

11st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Mel Rowley

10yo whose losing sequence is up to 13 after disappointing run at Windsor (2m4f, soft) latest; however, she was runner-up on final two outings in 2025 (2m4f/3m1f, good to soft/soft) and might not be far away if back on song.

12/1

Form: 43213-

Last run: 211 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner on good and won her maiden hurdle on soft; doubt she gave her true running when finishing last of the three on her handicap debut at Ludlow (2m5f, good) and this mark shouldn't be beyond her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

3rd Mar 2024

Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:15 Huntingdon

Hillfinch

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Dual course winner, latterly off 3lb higher over C&D (soft) just under a year ago; out of form this season, though, and needs to turn a corner; wore cheekpieces the last twice; visor tried today.

14/1

10th

3

7th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Hillfinch

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Now back on same mark as for hard-fought win at Huntingdon (3m1f, soft) last March but dropped out of contention very tamely on final two starts last year (cheekpieces added last time) and comes here with a point to prove.

12/1

5th

4

19th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 95y

Class 4

15:10 Fakenham

Hillfinch

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Ended last season in good form, most notably when winning at Huntingdon (3m1f, soft); made a satisfactory reappearance last month but dropped out very quickly after making the running at Market Rasen on latest outing and needs to put that performance behind her; sports first-time cheekpieces.

8/1

Form: 11214-

Last run: 192 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Last season was one to remember, winning for a fifth time at Hereford (2m, soft) in March; nothing wrong with her following fourth in a Class 2 handicap at Haydock (2m3f, good; same mark) and very much enters the reckoning.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

17th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 4

16:07 Uttoxeter

Lime Drop

11st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Three chase wins last season, the first two over C&D (good/good to soft); not beaten far when last of six at Cheltenham in April but remains on career-high mark for this reappearance run and takes on some unexposed rivals.

10/1

6th

1

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 62y

Class 3

16:30 Cheltenham

Lime Drop

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Outclassed in a Listed race two runs back but admirably consistent otherwise and a 4lb rise for beating Ostrava Du Berlais at Warwick the last time (2m, good) is more than fair; strong claims.

7/2

6th

1

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 62y

Class 3

16:30 Cheltenham

Lime Drop

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Outclassed in a Listed race two runs back but admirably consistent otherwise and a 4lb rise for beating Ostrava Du Berlais at Warwick the last time (2m, good) is more than fair; strong claims.

7/2

Form: 35F13- D

Last run: 186 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Penalised for winning a moderate race at Huntingdon (soft), she was left for dead by Herewegohoney and La Renommee on good ground at Chepstow; this mark wouldn't be obviously lenient on what she's achieved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

31st May 2025

Good

2m 6f 0y

18:15 Tramore

Maid On The Moon

12st 0lb

J: Ms H Phillips

T: Miss Elizabeth Anne Lalor

Easy winner over hurdles off 87 at Leopardstown (2m4f, yielding) in March; has come up short three times since off revised mark; 0-6 over fences; needs more to win off this rating.

16/1

1

31st May 2025

Good

2m 6f 0y

18:15 Tramore

Maid On The Moon

12st 0lb

J: Ms H Phillips

T: Miss Elizabeth Anne Lalor

Easy winner over hurdles off 87 at Leopardstown (2m4f, yielding) in March; has come up short three times since off revised mark; 0-6 over fences; needs more to win off this rating.

16/1

6

17th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:00 Wexford

Maid On The Moon

11st 2lb

J: Ms H Phillips

T: Miss Elizabeth Anne Lalor

Easy winner off 87 at Leopardstown (2m4f, yielding) in March; has come up short twice since off revised mark, though wasn't beaten far latest; needs more to win off this rating.

8/1

Form: P/594P C

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Prolific juvenile hurdler in 2020 but missed all of the following year and it's been a struggle under both codes since returning.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

18:10 Fontwell

Hiconic

11st 12lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Alex Hales

Came second off basement Flat mark on latest outing in January and is well handicapped for this return to hurdling but she's not as good as she was and has become inconsistent; others appeal more.

16/1

2nd

8

(8)

29th Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Hiconic

8st 12lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Alex Hales

Seven-time winner over hurdles but 0-12 on Flat (0-10 on the AW); ran respectably when fourth of nine at Wolverhampton (2m, AW) last month but she was behind Taranjerine at Lingfield 22 days ago; others preferred.

14/1

Non-runners

Hiconic

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.80
Straight Forecast £21.15
Tricast £157.39
Trifecta £207.00

Selections

The Times:

Herewegohoney

RP Ratings:

Getaweapon

SPOTLIGHT:

La Renommee

TOPSPEED:

Hillfinch

Telegraph:

Lime Drop

Daily Record:

La Renommee

The Star:

Hillfinch

The Guardian:

Herewegohoney

Daily Mirror:

Herewegohoney

The Sun:

Herewegohoney

Daily Mail:

Lime Drop

POSTDATA:

Getaweapon

D Express:

Getaweapon