November 15 / 14.50 Ayr

14.50

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Go North Lady Buttons Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4488.85
  • 2m 4f 100y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Go North Lady Buttons Series Qualifier)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 116-66 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Much improved with five wins last season, including one over C&D; both starts this term at 2m and this ought to suit her much better; needs to find her best but no great surprise if she did that now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

19:00 Market Rasen

Lone Star

11st 13lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Capitalised upon some considerable help from the handicapper when winning over C&D (good) just under a year ago and returns here after a decent effort at Kelso this month, but she's nothing like the force of old and has become inconsistent.

9/2

5th

5

6th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Lone Star

11st 11lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Last win came off a 5lb lower mark at Market Rasen in June last year (2m4f, good); not at her best last time but has a chance on her previous run when third at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft).

9/1

10th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:07 Newcastle

Lone Star

11st 11lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Scored at Market Rasen (on good ground) last June and she returned from a seven-month absence with a very good third of nine over C&D 11 days ago; this C&D winner can go very well off an unchanged mark.

6/1

Form: 85-763 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
May have been slightly flattered to finish third at Carlisle last month (pace seemed to collapse) but it still represented a best effort for this trainer; well handicapped if she can build on that now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

16th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

12:50 Doncaster

Bon Retour

12st 2lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Mark Walford

No match for the winner on her two runs this autumn (2m4f/2m3f, heavy/soft) but she's kept on nicely to finish placed and is worth another go at this trip; versatile ground-wise; on the shortlist in first-time cheekpieces.

6/1

2nd

6

22nd Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

12:55 Warwick

Bon Retour

11st 6lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Mark Walford

Won two handicaps for Nicky Richards, the latest in September 2022 off 4lb higher; there's a reason for her reduced mark but the signs were more encouraging at Carlisle last month when keeping on for third behind last week's Cheltenham runner-up White Rhino; trip/ground fine.

3/1

Form: 412-14 D

Last run: 151 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Much improved when sent handicapping in the spring, winning twice at Newcastle; only fourth at Hexham when last seen in June but could well resume her progress; acts on good and heavy ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Our Laura B

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

No win since May 2023 but, following wind surgery, she's not been far away in two of her last three starts; the latest was her fifth of 14 to Gardener over C&D; place chance.

11/2

5th

6

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:11 Hexham

Our Laura B

11st 7lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

On a long losing sequence and she was pulled up in 2m4f handicap hurdle at Newcastle 32 days ago; she's not easy to make a case for.

12/1

Form: 2321-6 BF

Last run: 187 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Kelso winner in April and wouldn't judge her too harshly on her Market Rasen defeat the following month; probably needs to improve to defy this mark but still early days after seven career runs so that's very possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

16:39 Kelso

Hashtag Boum

11st 3lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Ruth Jefferson

Her first three chase starts yielded wins at Sedgefield (2m5f, good to soft) and Ayr (2m4f, soft); only third of four at Ayr (2m4f, soft) since but that may not be the limit of her ability; won here over hurdles and she's not ruled out.

6/1

3rd

3

21st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:05 Ayr

Hashtag Boum

10st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Progressive over fences; won on Sedgefield debut (2m5f, good to soft) before career-best when scoring over C&D earlier this month (soft); runs off 7lb higher today; contender.

11/8

3rd

3

21st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:05 Ayr

Hashtag Boum

10st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Progressive over fences; won on Sedgefield debut (2m5f, good to soft) before career-best when scoring over C&D earlier this month (soft); runs off 7lb higher today; contender.

11/8

Abandoned

Form: 245-78

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Unplaced in two Irish outings last month but has acquitted herself well on trips to Britain, winning a Hereford maiden in February and coming a fair fifth at Cheltenham in April; has to prove her stamina at this trip and wouldn't want the ground to ease but not out of this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

16:47 Clonmel

Circus Act

10st 8lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: J A Nash

Won for the second time over hurdles when taking a Down Royal handicap last year; not bad efforts over hurdles and on the Flat lately but needs a fair bit more.

18/1

4th

9

(1)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 190y

15:22 Sligo

Circus Act

9st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Sullivan

T: J A Nash

Second runner for James Nash; dual-purpose mare has won twice over hurdles; maiden in this sphere but her fourth to You Make Me Smile in last year's renewal was one of her best Flat runs and she has a nice pull at the weights; place chance.

10/1

5th

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 170y

14:30 Down Royal

Circus Act

11st 2lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: J A Nash

Won her second hurdle race when winning this race a year ago off 2lb lower; has only run four times between the Flat and hurdles since; should run well with a repeat of best; ground-versatile.

11/2

Form: 581-

Last run: 275 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Not sure what to make of her Catterick win in February (for Patrick Neville, three ran, 3m1f+) but Brian Hughes, aboard that day, again rides; bit to prove on stable/handicap debut after a break but unexposed still.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Not Staying Long

11st 4lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Patrick Neville

Confined to Catterick for her three runs over fences, winning two Class 5s before finishing second in a three-runner Class 3 handicap; has no apparent ground preferences but this is a rise in class for her.

10/1

7

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Not Staying Long

11st 4lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Patrick Neville

Confined to Catterick for her three runs over fences, winning two Class 5s before finishing second in a three-runner Class 3 handicap; has no apparent ground preferences but this is a rise in class for her.

10/1

2nd

2

25th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 51y

Class 3

16:00 Catterick

Not Staying Long

11st 5lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Patrick Neville

led

6/4

Form: 6671-1 D

Last run: 182 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Won a Perth maiden at this trip in April (80-1) and followed up in a three-runner handicap there a month later; absent since but trainer's runners here always to be feared; yard also runs Poppy Rose.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:07 Perth

Nowinittowinit

12st 0lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Jessica Bedi

Had wind surgery since last run (stable debut) and now reverts to hurdles; defied a 4lb higher mark over C&D two years ago, albeit in a weak contest.

14/1

1

26th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

12:35 Southwell

Nowinittowinit

12st 0lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Jessica Bedi

Two hurdle wins at Perth (2m4f and 3m) in spring 2023; was running well over fences and hurdles there in the summer but pulled up on final start for Stuart Crawford; sold 3,000gns since; bit to prove for now.

20/1

1

26th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

12:35 Southwell

Nowinittowinit

12st 0lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Jessica Bedi

Two hurdle wins at Perth (2m4f and 3m) in spring 2023; was running well over fences and hurdles there in the summer but pulled up on final start for Stuart Crawford; sold 3,000gns since; bit to prove for now.

20/1

Form: 043-53 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Two of her three wins have been gained over C&D, including this race in 2020; just one win from 21 starts since that success and not as good as she was but could perk up back at the scene of previous triumphs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

1st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

15:30 Musselburgh

Aurora Thunder

11st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

held up in rear, headway and in touch with leaders after 8th

8/1

3rd

10

11th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 3

13:50 Ayr

Aurora Thunder

10st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

9yo whose form has gone the wrong way and she needs to produce more than she's managed the last twice; however, she's dropped to a dangerous mark and has plenty of good form at Ayr; not written off.

10/1

Form: F432U-

Last run: 236 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Maiden; beaten six lengths by Lone Star over C&D in February and enjoys a massive weight pull with that rival; unseated next time (race also won by Lone Star) and now returns after eight months off; tempting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Poppy Rose

11st 4lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: S R B Crawford

She's been placed a few times and won't be far away if at the top of her game, but that hasn't been the case the last twice and she's now 0-13.

20/1

6th

6

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 4

13:58 Ayr

Poppy Rose

10st 6lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: S R B Crawford

12-race maiden; second in a 2m4f mares' handicap hurdle off 8lb lower here in February 2023 (good to soft); two fair runs in November/December but disappointing favourite last time; needs to bounce back.

5/1

12th

14

12th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 24y

15:12 Naas

Poppy Rose

10st 8lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: S R B Crawford

Yet to break her duck but several decent efforts in defeat, including last twice in similarly competitive heats here and at Navan; not totally proven over the trip but still likely to be thereabouts.

9/2

Verdict

Topweight Lone Star, representing the yard that trained Lady Buttons, can be expected to return to form sooner rather than later. Several of these have claims and Stuart Crawford has hopes with both of his runners. POPPY ROSE is yet to win and returns from a break but is handicapped to take this.[Jonathan Neesom]