May 17 / 20.05 Aintree

20.05

Good

Ha Civils Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
RTV
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Ha Civils Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

11/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.70
  • Place: £3.30

Form: 221P4- D

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Assessor quick to respond to January's Doncaster demolition job (2m3.5f, good to soft), the 11lb rise for that appearing to compromise her for win purposes at Ludlow latest; bit extra needed from somewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

21st Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:53 Warwick

Masked Dance

11st 5lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Mel Rowley

in touch with leaders, headway after 3 out, went third 2 out, outpaced approaching last, weakened final 110yds

9/2

14/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 11-4 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Unbeaten hurdling record went west on this month's Hereford handicap debut (2m3.5f, good), the litter of errors proving too much to shrug off this time; mark and headgear of choice are both unchanged.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:40 Worcester

My Chiquita

11st 11lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: B F Brookhouse

Won two minor hurdles last October and then finished fourth and second in two handicaps, latterly beaten under 4l (2m4f, good); has continued to run fairly well on the Flat so must have a chance.

9/2

7th

1

(3)

5th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 1f 47y

Class 5

17:50 Carlisle

My Chiquita

10st 9lb

J: Morgan Cole

T: B F Brookhouse

towards rear on inner, headway against far rail 2f out, weakened final 110yds

5/1

3rd

3

(4)

27th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Newmarket (July)

My Chiquita

9st 3lb

J: Jack Gilligan

T: B F Brookhouse

Two fast-ground wins last summer (1m2f and 1m4f) and she also won twice over about 2m4f as a hurdler in October; good runs (hurdles and Flat) on last two outings, beaten a neck at Doncaster (14.5f) latest; unraced over this far on Flat but she's one to take seriously.

4/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 71213- D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
All wins on soft or heavy, and found 2m1f and good ground too sharp for her in a Cheltenham Grade 3 juvenile handicap latest; step back up in trip may prove a plus, but unchanged mark looks prohibitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

19th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

15:49 Carlisle

Majestic Jameela

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

didn't always jump with fluency, raced wide, prominent, slow jump 1st, lost ground before 5th

12/1

9th

6

19th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

15:49 Carlisle

Majestic Jameela

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

didn't always jump with fluency, raced wide, prominent, slow jump 1st, lost ground before 5th

12/1

9

12th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

14:10 Chepstow

Majestic Jameela

10st 9lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Improved with experience over hurdles last season and ended that campaign with three wins; gave another good account when third at Aintree (2m4f, good) in May last time but this drop back in trip may not be ideal and others in this field probably have more potential.

25/1

Form: /4PFP- D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Hasn't entirely clicked for her over fences yet, and current hurdles mark merely fair set against the pick of her late-2022 winning mares' novice hurdle form (2m3.5f-2m5f); something more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

7th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 3

12:40 Sandown

Touchy Feely

11st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Modest completion record (fences/hurdles) in recent times and comes with risk but this Henderson mare has possibilities off current mark granted a return to peak form; absent since May.

14/1

5th

6

7th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 3

12:40 Sandown

Touchy Feely

11st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Modest completion record (fences/hurdles) in recent times and comes with risk but this Henderson mare has possibilities off current mark granted a return to peak form; absent since May.

14/1

2

26th May 2024

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:00 Uttoxeter

Touchy Feely

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

led, headed and pushed along 6th, soon lost position, mistake and pulled up 7th

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 357P1- D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
First win in a year when bouncing back to form at Perth last month (2m4f, soft); 5lb rise makes sense and she won't mind any drier ground, but have to hope the effects of the wind surgery which preceded that success last longer than those of the previous autumn's similar procedure.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:45 Southwell

Space Voyage

12st 0lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Has looked to have her share of weight since winning at Perth (2m4f, soft) in April and although her pedigree suggests this trip could suit, she hasn't excelled in two handicaps at about 3m in the past.

12/1

2

3rd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:45 Southwell

Space Voyage

12st 0lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Has looked to have her share of weight since winning at Perth (2m4f, soft) in April and although her pedigree suggests this trip could suit, she hasn't excelled in two handicaps at about 3m in the past.

12/1

6th

4

9th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 2

13:45 Wincanton

Space Voyage

11st 4lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Returned to form with narrow success at Perth (2m4f, soft) in April, her fourth hurdle win, but we haven't seen her since a lesser effort in May and she ran very poorly the only previous time she wore cheekpieces.

14/1

Form: 23410- D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Cashed in a career-low mark at Catterick in March (2m3.5f, soft); class 2 she trailed home last in since was effectively only a 0-121, so can't say this represents a vastly easier assignment; others likelier.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

29th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

14:20 Musselburgh

Could Be Trouble

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

led, headed 2 out, soon ridden and no extra

10/1

3rd

3

29th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

14:20 Musselburgh

Could Be Trouble

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

led, headed 2 out, soon ridden and no extra

10/1

4th

6

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

13:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Could Be Trouble

11st 3lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

led, not fluent 2nd, mistake 3 out, headed home turn, soon lost position, weakened quickly approaching last

5/1

Form: 136/1- D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Took fair record fresh to a new level when shrugging off a 22-month break to oblige on debut for Ryan Potter at Uttoxeter last month (2m, soft); back up 7lb and there's always the potential to bounce, but is proven over this longer trip and sounder surface before now; 2lb badly in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Lady Malarkey

10st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Ryan Potter

Took fair record fresh to a new level when shrugging off a 22-month break to oblige on debut for Ryan Potter at Uttoxeter last month (2m, soft); back up 7lb and there's always the potential to bounce, but is proven over this longer trip and sounder surface before now; 2lb badly in.

5/1

7th

13

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Lady Malarkey

10st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Ryan Potter

Took fair record fresh to a new level when shrugging off a 22-month break to oblige on debut for Ryan Potter at Uttoxeter last month (2m, soft); back up 7lb and there's always the potential to bounce, but is proven over this longer trip and sounder surface before now; 2lb badly in.

5/1

1st

3

24th Apr 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

18:45 Uttoxeter

Lady Malarkey

10st 13lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Ryan Potter

prominent, led narrowly or disputed lead 5th, pushed along and led clearly 3 out, went clear run-in, comfortably

7/1

Form: 53053-

Last run: 106 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
1-26; taking in a first 0-120 since her November 2021 handicap debut and does so from 13lb out of the weights; surely too big an ask.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

5th Jul 2024

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

17:45 Newton Abbot

Maroochi

10st 11lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Keiran Burke

Sole win (28 races) came when dead-heating in a C&D handicap (good) in 2022; well supported when a good third over 3m2f at this track (good; beaten 2l) last month; should give a good account back in distance.

100/30

3rd

8

5th Jun 2024

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:10 Newton Abbot

Maroochi

10st 4lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Keiran Burke

Sole win (27 races) was at this track in September 2022; chance on some 2023 form but she needs better than on last five outings if she's to win and there are stamina doubts judged on three attempts at about 3m.

10/1

8th

14

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Maroochi

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Keiran Burke

1-26; taking in a first 0-120 since her November 2021 handicap debut and does so from 13lb out of the weights; surely too big an ask.

66/1

Form: 1126F- D

Last run: 193 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Has never won after breaks of over 30 days, so this quick return after two Flat spins for current handler last month rates a plus; sometime tendency to pull too hard very much back on that recent evidence, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

29th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

14:20 Musselburgh

Simply Red

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Brian Ellison

in touch with leaders, outpaced and lost position after 4 out, weakened 3 out

12/1

10th

6

29th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

14:20 Musselburgh

Simply Red

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Brian Ellison

in touch with leaders, outpaced and lost position after 4 out, weakened 3 out

12/1

9th

1

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Simply Red

12st 0lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Mark Walford

Four-time course winner (once over today's trip) when trained by Donald McCain; out of form on the Flat and over hurdles for Mark Walford in the spring but the refitted cheekpieces might give her a lift today.

16/1

Form: 34/25- D

Last run: 336 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Proven capable of running up to her best (and indeed winning) after a lengthy absence, so oughtn't fail for the lack of a run since last June; winless in handicaps but is back on a career-low mark; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

28th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

21:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Nora The Xplorer

11st 12lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Well beaten on last month's stable debut; that run came after an 11-month absence, she's on a tempting mark and conditions will be preferable; effective in the reapplied blinkers.

8/1

10th

12

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Nora The Xplorer

10st 11lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Proven capable of running up to her best (and indeed winning) after a lengthy absence, so oughtn't fail for the lack of a run since last June; winless in handicaps but is back on a career-low mark; chance.

10/1

Form: /0330-

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Below-par run in the Scottish Champion Hurdle needs forgiving but had placed twice in class 2/3 company before that and she faces her easiest task in handicaps here; mixed signals as to whether 2m4f is needed, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

26th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

14:30 Sedgefield

Salsada

11st 8lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

Only just failed to exploit some help from the handicapper at Hexham (2m, good) last month but her latest run was very disappointing and her stamina for today's trip is not copper-bottomed; others preferred.

6/1

1st

4

26th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

14:30 Sedgefield

Salsada

11st 8lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

Only just failed to exploit some help from the handicapper at Hexham (2m, good) last month but her latest run was very disappointing and her stamina for today's trip is not copper-bottomed; others preferred.

6/1

4

2nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:32 Wetherby

Salsada

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Brian Ellison

Her form has gone the wrong way since her creditable fifth in the Scottish Champion Hurdle in April 2023 but she dropped down the weights and was beaten just a short head at Hexham (2m, good) last month; in with a chance.

5/1

Form: 6/145- D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
20l fifth in a Listed Cheltenham novice last time (2m4.5f, good) represented a new form personal best, if still not anything that quite warrants this tough-looking opening mark; more needed again, therefore.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Mellificent

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

20l fifth in a Listed Cheltenham novice last time (2m4.5f, good) represented a new form personal best, if still not anything that quite warrants this tough-looking opening mark; more needed again, therefore.

4/1

Form: 912F5-

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Pick of her beaten handicap form rates a step up on that shown when victorious in a Doncaster novice previously (16.5f, good to soft), though can't say she's anything much in hand of her mark now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Sammys Guarantee

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Pick of her beaten handicap form rates a step up on that shown when victorious in a Doncaster novice previously (16.5f, good to soft), though can't say she's anything much in hand of her mark now.

14/1

6

17th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Aintree

Sammys Guarantee

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Pick of her beaten handicap form rates a step up on that shown when victorious in a Doncaster novice previously (16.5f, good to soft), though can't say she's anything much in hand of her mark now.

14/1

5th

4

25th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

16:35 Huntingdon

Sammys Guarantee

11st 8lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Improved to win at Doncaster (2m. good to soft) in January; stepped up on that when second on handicap debut at Hereford (2m3f, soft); fell at Chepstow only eight days ago but considered on the earlier form.

3/1

Form: 02P3P-

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
December's Newbury Listed mares' novice second (beaten a head) remains an outlier form-wise; have to hope her disappointing handicap debut effort back at the same venue last time was owed to the heavy ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

12:40 Market Rasen

Brave Jen

11st 8lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Ex-Nicky Henderson; no win in first ten runs over hurdles but the drop back to 2m1f paid off when she made her breakthrough at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) three weeks ago; that was a narrow win in a maiden but she battled well to beat an odds-on rival and has only gone up 1lb in the weights; respected back in a handicap.

15/8

2nd

3

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

12:40 Market Rasen

Brave Jen

11st 8lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Ex-Nicky Henderson; no win in first ten runs over hurdles but the drop back to 2m1f paid off when she made her breakthrough at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) three weeks ago; that was a narrow win in a maiden but she battled well to beat an odds-on rival and has only gone up 1lb in the weights; respected back in a handicap.

15/8

1st

9

5th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

13:35 Sedgefield

Brave Jen

10st 11lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Ex-Nicky Henderson; exposed maiden hurdler who had wind surgery in June; has a couple of fair runs over hurdles to her credit, notably when second of five at Plumpton in September (2m4f, good to soft; cheekpieces tried); not so good last time; each-way chance.

11/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £65.90
Straight Forecast £45.71
Tricast £232.04
Trifecta £334.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Space Voyage

Daily Mail:

Lady Malarkey

WEST COUNTRY:

Mellificent

SPOTLIGHT:

Nora The Xplorer

The Sun:

Majestic Jameela

The Times:

Salsada

POSTDATA:

Space Voyage

The Guardian:

Space Voyage

Daily Mirror:

Space Voyage

Daily Record:

Space Voyage

Telegraph:

Mellificent

TOPSPEED:

Nora The Xplorer

D Express:

Lady Malarkey

The Star:

Lady Malarkey