April 20 / 14.40 Cheltenham

14.40

Good

Catesby Estates Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £14237.5
  • 2m 4f 56y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Catesby Estates Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 232-P0

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
50-1 runner-up in a 2m1f Grade 2 at last season's Festival, after which she further raised her profile with two Flat wins and a fifth in the Cesarewitch; reportedly bled on reappearance and she could finish only tenth back in that same Grade 2 last month; remains a maiden over hurdles and Nico De Boinville turns elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(7)

20th Jun 2023

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Ahorsewithnoname

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: Nicky Henderson

Revelation in a hurdles run (soft) and on Flat (good) in spring 2022, form backed up when she was next seen taking fifth of 21 in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, good) in October; the latter shows she needs better off the same mark today; returned to form in latest hurdles start (April) and is now in foal, so this is scheduled to be her last race.

7/1

1st

2

20th Apr 2023

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Ahorsewithnoname

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Nicky Henderson

50-1 runner-up in a 2m1f Grade 2 at last season's Festival, after which she further raised her profile with two Flat wins and a fifth in the Cesarewitch; reportedly bled on reappearance and she could finish only tenth back in that same Grade 2 last month; remains a maiden over hurdles and Nico De Boinville turns elsewhere.

8/1

10th

5

16th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

16:50 Cheltenham

Ahorsewithnoname

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Returned from a similar absence when a 50-1 runner-up in this 12 months ago, since when she has further raised her profile with two Flat wins and a good fifth in the Cesarewitch; reported to have bled from the nose when pulled up behind Endless Escape on return to jumping and, if back to anything like her best, she could make the frame again.

22/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 11

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Better over hurdles than she was on the Flat and the hood is working well after clearcut wins at Catterick (good) and Kempton (soft); this longer trip is unlikely to pose a problem for one who stayed well on the Flat; dangerous to dismiss.
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

16/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 2-1116 D

Last run: 114 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won two novices (2m5f/2m3f) and a 3m handicap earlier in the season and it wasn't her first below-par run on soft ground when well held in a Kempton handicap over Christmas; has no doubt been held back for a spring campaign and could run well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

17th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 2

15:32 Uttoxeter

I Spy A Diva

10st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Four-time hurdle winner; returned from 688-day absence with low-key run on soft ground in April and absent for another six months since; ought to be better suited by the quicker conditions here but her current ability is hard to gauge.

16/1

Form: 3-3141 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Placed in Grade 2 bumper at last season's Aintree festival; has won two of her four starts over hurdles, the latest very easily at Plumpton when long odds-on; goes on all ground and ratings make her a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

14:32 Doncaster

Lutinebella

12st 2lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

In the frame twice this autumn, more recently when coming from off the pace for fourth at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) in October, but has basically become a bit disappointing and needs to up her game here.

10/1

8th

1

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

14:32 Doncaster

Lutinebella

12st 2lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

In the frame twice this autumn, more recently when coming from off the pace for fourth at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) in October, but has basically become a bit disappointing and needs to up her game here.

10/1

4th

7

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 3

15:53 Exeter

Lutinebella

11st 5lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Lightly raced since her two novice wins during 2022-23 season and was nothing better than a respectable third of five behind Made For You at Worcester (2m7f, soft) last month; needs a bigger run here.

10/1

Form: 153U11 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Has improved to win her last two, taking a Newbury handicap (2m4f, soft; won on good) in pleasing fashion under top weight; has to concede weight again here and this time against classier opposition, but not out of it.
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: 1221

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Looked good in a Warwick bumper and off the mark over hurdles in a small-field handicap at Newbury (2m3f, good); has something to find on the figures with the best of these and Nico De Boinville has jumped ship.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

28th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

12:05 Newbury

Spring Note

12st 2lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Nicky Henderson

Easily won this last year and made it 3-3 here (good-heavy) when scoring over C&D in March; soundly beaten on final start last season and pulled up here on her return, but she may have needed that run and is entitled to respect based on her excellent record here previously.

11/1

10th

1

28th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

12:05 Newbury

Spring Note

12st 2lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Nicky Henderson

Easily won this last year and made it 3-3 here (good-heavy) when scoring over C&D in March; soundly beaten on final start last season and pulled up here on her return, but she may have needed that run and is entitled to respect based on her excellent record here previously.

11/1

10

30th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 2

13:54 Newbury

Spring Note

11st 3lb

J: David Bass

T: Nicky Henderson

raced in second, weakened 3 out, pulled up after 2 out

10/1

Form: 341

Last run: 137 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Connor Brace was aboard for three bumper runs (all on good ground) and she showed a willing attitude to repel two rules debutants in a Listed event at Huntingdon in December; however, that form has taken some knocks and this is a tough starter over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

24th Mar 2026

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

14:00 Southwell

Lilting Verse

11st 13lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Hasn't been at her best of late (behind Smurfette latest) but she has the form to feature off this mark and won't mind getting back on drier ground; stays this far; possible.

4/1

4th

3

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:45 Southwell

Lilting Verse

11st 11lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Solid record off current mark comprises a success at Huntingdon in 2024 and second-place finishes in this race last year and at Ffos Las in October; not ruled out.

13/2

7th

2

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:45 Chepstow

Lilting Verse

11st 13lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Gave good account when second on seasonal debut at Ffos Las (3m1f, soft) in October and remains on a workable mark but her latest run was disappointing and she'd arguably appeal more on better ground than is forecast.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1431

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Made heavy weather of winning a Limerick hurdle last month (2m, soft/heavy) but had previously performed well in a couple of 2m4f Grade 2s won by Inthepocket and You Wear It Well, both of whom ran so well here at the Festival; has form on all ground and must have every chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

20th Apr 2023

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Deeply Superficial

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

Made heavy weather of winning a Limerick hurdle last month (2m, soft/heavy) but had previously performed well in a couple of 2m4f Grade 2s won by Inthepocket and You Wear It Well, both of whom ran so well here at the Festival; has form on all ground and must have every chance.

9/4

1st

2

26th Mar 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 50y

13:15 Limerick

Deeply Superficial

11st 7lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Gordon Elliott

prominent, soon raced in second, lost second 4 out, not fluent 3 out, headway and went second home turn, made challenge 2 out, led after last, ridden clear final 110yds

13/8

3rd

1

16th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Deeply Superficial

11st 4lb

J: Davy Russell

T: Gordon Elliott

Irish mare who was purchased for £385,000 after point win (3m, good); followed up in Galway maiden hurdle (2m, soft) then ran well behind some useful male rivals in Grade 2 at Naas (2m4f, soft; form has substance); had wind surgery since and now goes in tongue-tie; should improve further; big player back against her own sex.

7/4

Form: 2-141 D

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
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.
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

Non-runners

Queens Rock

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £44.70
Straight Forecast £39.69
Trifecta £412.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Deeply Superficial

WEST COUNTRY:

Ilovethenightlife

Telegraph:

Queens Rock

D Express:

Lutinebella

RP Ratings:

Ahorsewithnoname

LAMBOURN:

Spring Note

TOPSPEED:

Zestful

The Times:

Ilovethenightlife

The Sun:

Queens Rock

POSTDATA:

Deeply Superficial

The Guardian:

Deeply Superficial

Daily Mail:

Deeply Superficial

Daily Mirror:

Deeply Superficial

Daily Record:

Lutinebella

The Star:

Ahorsewithnoname