RACING AHEAD: Hurdle has produced six winners

The Class Two Bruton Mares Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton, over two miles five-and-a-half furlongs, on November 7 has produced six winners since Lily Waugh passed the post winning by 13 lengths. The winner went on to take the final race of the ‘International’ meeting at Cheltenham on Saturday winning at a healthy 6/1.

The runner up at Wincanton, David Pipe’s, Lady Of Longstone went on to beat 11 rivals at Kempton over three miles and half a furlong at 11/1, while the fourth place Morello Royale took the Listed OLBG Mares Hurdle at the end of November for trainer Colin Tizzard, again at a decent price of 6/1.

The Kings Theatre mare challenged for the lead before the last, as Aiden Coleman pushed out his mount to win by two lengths.

Tara Mist, who finished third at Wincanton has been beaten in a Class Two contest since, as has the fifth place Double Silver, who was pulled up at Doncaster recently when trying three miles for the first time. This was clearly too far for the Silver Patriarch mare, who should be seen best at Ludlow, running between two miles five furlongs and two miles seven furlongs.

Kalane, who fell in the Wincanton race, beat three rivals by 31 lengths as the Kalanisi mare bounced back to form for trainer Charlie Longsdon. The six-year-old was thought good enough to run at the Punchestown Festival last season in the Group One, finishing behind the mighty Annie Power and Analifet. Her trainer clearly has high hopes for his mare and would deserve a second look if jockey Noel Fehily gets to take the ride.

The seven-year-old was pulled up in the Mares Handicap at Wincanton but won next time up at Ascot in late November as the Desert King mare came home alone, leaving her seven rivals 12 lengths behind. She should be followed on good or good to soft ground and possibly running in Class Three or below contests.

Nine runs have produced six wins producing a profit of 31 points. Three of the 10 runners at Wincanton have yet to race again.

The 10-year-old Titch Strider may be past her best right now, but six-year-old Miss Sassypants could regain the winning thread by running between two miles and two-and-a-half miles and in a Class Four or below contest.

It must be said, that the mare’s two National Hunt hurdle wins have come with a rating of 105/106. The Hernando mare is currently rated 116 but will come down following her last run.

Bondi Mist is another yet to run, but the six-year-old doesn’t look in love with the game at the moment and could be best left alone.

To summarise, Lady Of Longstone, good or good to soft ground, running within 30 days of last win, preferably at Worcester and rated no higher than 120.

Morello Royale, running over two mile five furlongs and appearing within 30 days of its last run, for this improving type.

Miss Sassypants running between two and two-and-a-half miles and in a Class 4Fouror below contest. Lily Waugh and Kalane are the classy mares to take out of the race and could be aiming for some dizzy heights during the spring.