December 26 / 11.52 Wetherby

11.52

Good To Soft

William Hill Epic Value Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £3539.9
  • 2m 3f 154y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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William Hill Epic Value Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

OUR TIP

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.70
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 4/180-

Last run: 263 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Down the field in Listed and Grade 2 races on her final two bumper starts; however, she won one in fine style at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) last December and could have a part to play if tapping back into that promise now back down in grade for her hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

31st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

15:25 Leicester

Nells Bells

11st 6lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

A two-time hurdles winner last season but she returned from nine months off with a well-held fifth of seven in 2m2f Kelso handicap 33 days ago; she needs to take a big step forward.

8/1

5th

3

29th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 4

14:28 Kelso

Nells Bells

11st 3lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

held up in rear, niggled along briefly before 4 out

5/1

1st

2

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 7f 149y

Class 5

13:00 Newcastle

Nells Bells

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

held up in last, hit 2nd, niggled along after 3rd, pushed along briefly before 7th

9/2

16/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 6-215

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on stable debut in bumper at Hexham (2m, good to soft) in October then went one better at Carlisle (2m1f, heavy); it's still very early days over hurdles but she was well beaten in a Hexham novice (2m, soft) on her first attempt and has to leave that form well behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:50 Southwell

Perculator

11st 7lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

in touch with leaders, lost ground after 2nd

16/1

6

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:50 Southwell

Perculator

11st 7lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Placed on consecutive outings after her narrow win at Wetherby (2m5f, good) in November but looked out of sorts on her last two outings and needs to have been refreshed by a 12-week break.

16/1

2

21st Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

13:20 Leicester

Perculator

11st 13lb

J: James Robottom

T: Mark Walford

Disappointing at Wetherby last month but in good form previously, winning there in November (2m5f, good) before two good thirds at Carlisle (good to soft/soft); could bounce back with a big performance.

9/1

25/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 5

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
French Flat winner (1m7f, very soft) who was a fairly encouraging fifth of nine on last month's hurdle debut at Catterick (2m3f, soft), but she was beaten 20l and may be of greater interest when tackling further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(2)

15th May 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 5

15:50 Catterick

Visite Officielle

8st 12lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Ex-French mare who was again beaten a fair way at Pontefract last time when having Vintage Valley behind over 2m5.6f; is on a competitive mark now though.

12/1

4th

6

(6)

24th Apr 2023

Good

2m 5f 139y

Class 6

16:10 Pontefract

Visite Officielle

9st 7lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Fair fourth over 2m2f here (good to soft) last October and now 4lb lower; however, she was well beaten by the first two when third at Redcar (2m, soft) a fortnight ago when fit from hurdling; others appeal more.

12/1

3rd

2

(2)

10th Apr 2023

Soft

1m 7f 217y

Class 6

15:26 Redcar

Visite Officielle

9st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

1-23 in France and 0-7 in Britain; hurdling hasn't worked out (refused to race on penultimate appearance, tailed off latest) and her one piece of solid handicap form last season is not enough to persuade.

11/1

Form: 2-1

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a 3m point and a bumper (2m, good) before winning on last month's hurdle debut at Southwell (2m, soft); carries a penalty but she's a leading candidate for her top trainer who has a 33% strike-rate here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

14th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 3

15:50 Plumpton

Queens Rock

11st 9lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Nicky Henderson

Made it 2-3 over hurdles with an easy Doncaster win on her handicap debut in February, after wind surgery; up 11lb in a tougher race but surely open to further improvement and obvious shortlist material.

6/4

2

1st May 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Kempton

Queens Rock

12st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

It was only an ordinary Class 4 handicap that she won at Doncaster (2m3f) but she fairly breezed home and that was also her first run back from wind surgery; up 11lb but very much respected.

15/8

7

20th Apr 2023

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Queens Rock

11st 2lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

It was only an ordinary Class 4 handicap that she won at Doncaster (2m3f) but she fairly breezed home and that was also her first run back from wind surgery; it bodes well that Nico De Boinville prefers her to Ahorsewithnoname and Spring Note; respected.

3/1

Form: 13

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Game win on rules debut in bumper at Exeter (2m, good) last month before an 11l third of eight in novice hurdle at Wincanton (2m5f, good to soft); it looked a warm race last time and she's a key player here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

Micronormous

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: David Pipe

Should be well handicapped but was pulled up over hurdles and fences before departing early in a handicap chase here 12 days ago; best watched.

16/1

2

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:33 Worcester

Micronormous

11st 13lb

J: James Davies

T: David Pipe

Back below the mark of November's mares' handicap win at Fakenham (2m6f, good to soft); rarely operated at that level since, with little about two latest runs suggesting April's wind surgery has done anything for her.

14/1

4

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:05 Worcester

Micronormous

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: David Pipe

Won over fences last season (2m5f, good to soft) but it was an up-and-down campaign in both disciplines; ran moderately on the back of wind surgery on return to hurdles at Southwell but certainly has a big run in her if she can rediscover her form.

7/2

Form: 5

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Related to winners and was sent off at just 11-2 for last month's debut in a bumper here (2m, heavy); however, she finished a 24l fifth of nine and plenty of improvement is needed now switched to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

17th Jun 2023

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

20:10 Uttoxeter

Bowland Belle

10st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Rebecca Menzies

Four career starts and beaten over 40l in two completions over hurdles; not obviously appealing on handicap debut; now tongue tied.

15/2

12

10th Jun 2023

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Bowland Belle

10st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Four career starts and beaten over 40l in two completions over hurdles; not obviously appealing on handicap debut but shapes as if she has some ability and a tongue-strap might enable her to show more.

16/1

4th

6

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 3

13:43 Newcastle

Bowland Belle

10st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Rebecca Menzies

Well beaten on all three starts and will have more realistic claims in handicaps, for which she'll be qualified after this run.

33/1

Form: 386-

Last run: 324 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Encouraging third on debut in bumper here (2m, good) last November but she was well beaten the next twice, most recently here (2m, good) in February on her first hurdles start; others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

11th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 5

15:05 Carlisle

Darsis Darling

10st 4lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Has shown ability in bumper company and over hurdles; her handicap form didn't amount to much but she goes chasing off a reduced mark and this could be more her game.

16/1

7

11th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 5

15:05 Carlisle

Darsis Darling

10st 4lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Has shown ability in bumper company and over hurdles; her handicap form didn't amount to much but she goes chasing off a reduced mark and this could be more her game.

16/1

5th

7

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

19:10 Uttoxeter

Darsis Darling

11st 3lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Sue Smith

Fair third to the proficient Windtothelightning at Sedgefield (2m4f mares' novices') in January 2023, but has lost her way since (0-3) and has plenty of ground to make up on Faha Belle and Shibuya Song from Market Rasen; much safer to focus elsewhere.

50/1

Form: P

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won an Irish mares' maiden point (3m, good) on debut in April and sold for 60,000euros later that month; pulled up at 18-1 on last month's rules debut in Hereford maiden hurdle (2m, good to soft) but she reportedly lost her action and she's not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

11th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:25 Huntingdon

First Venture

11st 11lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Tom Symonds

12l seventh at Stratford latest (16.5f) was a first glimmer of form since her good-ground Irish point win of a year ago; no chance has been taken with her mark, but first try at 3m under Rules offers some hope.

16/1

7th

3

23rd Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

14:15 Stratford

First Venture

11st 4lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Holds poor claims on her slow-ground hurdles form but may improve back on forecast faster surface; Irish point win came on good.

25/1

3rd

5

18th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:17 Kempton

First Venture

11st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

prominent, shaken up and weakened after 3 out

40/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £38.30
Straight Forecast £57.77
Trifecta £293.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Queens Rock

WEST COUNTRY:

Micronormous

The Star:

Nell's Bells

RP Ratings:

Queens Rock

POSTDATA:

Queens Rock

LAMBOURN:

Queens Rock

The Times:

Queens Rock

Telegraph:

Queens Rock

The Guardian:

Queens Rock

Daily Mail:

Queens Rock

D Express:

Queens Rock

Daily Mirror:

Queens Rock

The Sun:

Queens Rock

Daily Record:

Queens Rock