December 14 / 15.35 Cheltenham

15.35

Good To Soft

BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 4f 56y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
ITV
View Course
BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.30
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 11111-

Last run: 322 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
0-4 on Flat for Sir Michael Stoute but 5-5 over hurdles last season; ended with comfortable juvenile Listed wins over 2m when red-hot favourite at Newbury and Doncaster; this race is a lot more competitive and the new trip is not nailed on to suit but that unbeaten hurdles record needs respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Wodhooh

11st 7lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

raced in second, led approaching last

12/1

1st

3

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Wodhooh

11st 7lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

raced in second, led approaching last

12/1

8

30th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:55 Fairyhouse

Wodhooh

10st 13lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

Record of 0-4 on the Flat for Sir Michael Stoute; now 5-5 over hurdles and saw off the classy Nurburgring on the first of those wins (receiving 13lb); landed a pair of winnable Listed events in Britain but missed the spring festivals; this is much deeper on her return so she has questions to answer.

11/2

2/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 1/1-3

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Dam half-sister to Champion Hurdle winner Epatante who's by the same sire as this mare; 235,000euros buy after winning her French bumper in 2022 and also took a maiden hurdle at Taunton (2m, soft) this January when next seen; could not get to grips with the first two in six-runner race at Ascot (1m7f, good) three weeks ago but it was a solid return and she brings notable potential to this handicap debut over new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

17

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Joyeuse

10st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Unexposed mare who ran well at Cheltenham (2m4f; handicap debut) most recently, taking form figures to 1132; should cope with the return to 2m and looks an interesting contender for last year's winning connections.

4/1

1st

17

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Joyeuse

10st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

in touch with leaders

4/1

2nd

10

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Joyeuse

10st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

travelled strongly, prominent, going okay but waiting for room approaching last, not fluent last, ridden run-in, kept on well and went second towards finish

2/1

OUR TIP

11/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: -14315 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Won at 3m1f/2m7f in the spring but her excellent third in useful handicap in October was over an extended 2m3f and her 10l Listed win at Wetherby last month was over 2m; outclassed in the Fighting Fifth two weeks ago but not discredited; should run well but, off top weight, may find one or two too good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 1

13:40 Ascot

Take No Chances

11st 6lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Dan Skelton

in touch with leaders

4/1

1st

1

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 1

13:40 Ascot

Take No Chances

11st 6lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Dan Skelton

in touch with leaders, headway but ridden home turn, challenging approaching last, soon led, edged left but kept on well run-in

4/1

3rd

1

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Take No Chances

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear, headway on outer after 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in

11/2

Form: 43-472

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Ex-French; second in the 2m4f mares' chase at this meeting last year off 3lb higher was her best show from 12 starts in Britain but she was not far off that when runner-up again at Ascot (2m7f) over hurdles three weeks ago; that confirms she is back in serious each-way calculations despite 4lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Warwick

Royale Margaux

11st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Ran really well in defeat in three mares' handicaps towards the end of last year (2m4f-3m, good/good to soft), making the frame; however, it's a long time since she won and she's up against it today.

20/1

1st

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Warwick

Royale Margaux

11st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Ran really well in defeat in three mares' handicaps towards the end of last year (2m4f-3m, good/good to soft), making the frame; however, it's a long time since she won and she's up against it today.

20/1

3rd

6

27th Dec 2024

Good

3m 0f 121y

Class 2

13:20 Kempton

Royale Margaux

10st 7lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

held up in rear, smooth headway after 3 out, pressed leader 2 out, hung right and outpaced approaching last, weakened final 110yds

9/2

Form: 1106-1 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Usually held up these days; upped to 2m4f when sixth of 16 here (good) in April, in fourth when she blundered at the last; proved her stamina with a smooth win in six-runner race at Warwick (2m5f, good to soft) on reappearance and is one to consider despite 5lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 1

14:00 Exeter

Georgi Girl

11st 2lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

in touch with leaders, towards rear 4th, outpaced when slow jump 6th, still plenty to do 4 out, kept on from 3 out, went third last, no match for first two

33/1

3rd

3

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 1

14:00 Exeter

Georgi Girl

11st 2lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

in touch with leaders, towards rear 4th, outpaced when slow jump 6th, still plenty to do 4 out, kept on from 3 out, went third last, no match for first two

33/1

9th

7

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 58y

Class 2

14:50 Ascot

Georgi Girl

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

in rear

11/1

Form: 11-4

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won early this year on first two hurdle/stable starts (2m/1m7f, soft) and did it easily on the second occasion; back hurdling when beaten 21l by Take No Chances off level weights at Wetherby, so needs to have come on massively since; new trip is not sure to suit and she is hooded first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 3f 171y

Class 2

13:45 Musselburgh

Sweet Fantasy

11st 10lb

J: Mr Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

towards rear but in touch with leaders, smooth headway after 4 out, challenging when mistake 2 out, edged right and weakened run-in

100/30

4th

3

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 3f 171y

Class 2

13:45 Musselburgh

Sweet Fantasy

11st 10lb

J: Mr Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

towards rear but in touch with leaders, smooth headway after 4 out, challenging when mistake 2 out, edged right and weakened run-in

100/30

6th

2

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Sweet Fantasy

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: James Owen

held up in last, kept on run-in, nearest finish

14/1

Form: P313-1 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Handicap debut at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) in February was her one win from five races last term but, following wind surgery, she raised her game to make a winning start to this campaign in 17-runner race at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) three weeks ago; that was tenacious and she is one to take seriously despite 8lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 3

14:14 Southwell

Molto Bene

11st 5lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Charlie Longsdon

prominent

9/2

2

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 3

14:14 Southwell

Molto Bene

11st 5lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Charlie Longsdon

Improved her record to 2-6 when beating 16 rivals at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) in November on her first run after wind surgery; finished down the field at Cheltenham last month but she wasn't beaten far in that Class 2 event and this 6yo still has potential; dangerous dropped back in grade.

9/2

7th

12

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Molto Bene

10st 7lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

prominent

14/1

Form: 221-15 CD BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
3-14 over hurdles, making all in a useful 16-runner handicap over C&D (good) at the end of last season and following up at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in October; good fifth at Wincanton (2m5f) five weeks ago and, while that might not suggest she is the best handicapped, she needs a close look as an improver; trainer won this race in 2020 and 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 1y

Class 3

14:45 Fakenham

Pretending

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Disappointed at Southwell (2m, soft) on New Year's Day, but the return to this trip is in her favour and drying ground not a problem; respected from just 2lb above her last winning mark.

13/2

4th

2

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 1y

Class 3

14:45 Fakenham

Pretending

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Disappointed at Southwell (2m, soft) on New Year's Day, but the return to this trip is in her favour and drying ground not a problem; respected from just 2lb above her last winning mark.

13/2

5th

8

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 2

14:49 Southwell

Pretending

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Lucy Wadham

Won at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) in April and, after a six-month absence, at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in October; last two efforts have been disappointing, though, so he has a bit to prove now dropping in trip.

5/1

Form: 1P4-13 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
It's not been plain sailing for much of her 11-race hurdle career but she won a handicap at Doncaster (good to soft) in January by 25l and added a clearcut win at Aintree (good; 7lb higher today) in May, both at about 2m4f; may have needed the race behind Georgi Girl at Warwick last month and could be a lot more interesting again this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

13:55 Huntingdon

Masked Dance

11st 9lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Mel Rowley

in touch with leaders, prominent 4th, hit 5th

14/1

3rd

4

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

13:55 Huntingdon

Masked Dance

11st 9lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Mel Rowley

Won handicaps at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) last January and Aintree (2m4f, good) last May; weakened late in both starts this winter and probably needs a career best to win this, but she should return to form before long.

14/1

Form: 2223-5 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
All her wins came in novice events two winters back; best of last season's runs came on final start when third of 16 to Pretending over C&D and she made a satisfactory reappearance six weeks ago, but she still looks vulnerable to an improver.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

12:50 Kempton

Endless Escape

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Ben Clarke

Disappointing favourite returned to chasing last time, extending her losing run; nicely treated on best form but chance largely depends on how well she responds to new headgear.

13/2

6th

1

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

12:50 Kempton

Endless Escape

12st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Ben Clarke

Disappointing favourite returned to chasing last time, extending her losing run; nicely treated on best form but chance largely depends on how well she responds to new headgear.

13/2

Form: 122P-5

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
All starts have been on softer than good; her 2m novice wins were on heavy going and she's since proved herself over 2m3f-2m4f, including when never dangerous on chase/seasonal debut (having bled on final start last term); needs improvement but this is just her second season jumping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

21st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:05 Ayr

Lunar Discovery

10st 5lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Quite a useful hurdler; made a few mistakes when fifth in a Listed mares' event at Carlisle in November (2m4f, good to soft; 5l behind third-placed El Elefante); better run over hurdles last time; bit to find from 4lb out of the handicap.

8/1

2nd

4

21st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:05 Ayr

Lunar Discovery

10st 5lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Quite a useful hurdler; made a few mistakes when fifth in a Listed mares' event at Carlisle in November (2m4f, good to soft; 5l behind third-placed El Elefante); better run over hurdles last time; bit to find from 4lb out of the handicap.

8/1

Form: 2-0462

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Not disgraced in two of her three chases and the return to hurdling may help, but she needs a peak effort and there's a fair amount to prove judged on her four appearances over 2m1f+, one of them at an extended 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Greyval

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £51.70
Straight Forecast £37.23
Tricast £137.15
Trifecta £240.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Joyeuse

TOPSPEED:

Take No Chances

RP RATINGS:

Endless Escape

Daily Record:

Wodhooh

POSTDATA:

Royale Margaux

Telegraph:

Joyeuse

Daily Mail:

Joyeuse

D Express:

Joyeuse

The Star:

Joyeuse

The Times:

Take No Chances

The Sun:

Take No Chances

WEST COUNTRY:

Endless Escape

Daily Mirror:

Endless Escape