An interesting little Fillies Maiden Hurdle in which 8 go to post for the £12,529 prize. Read on for our experts’ thoughts and betting tips.
IN SUMMARY: Daisy De Sivola was impressive when winning at Dieppe in June and has joined a good yard. She should continue to progress but she might have her work cut out for her against Litterale Ci who showed smart form herself on the Flat in France and can continue to improve for her top connections. Evening Hush should also get involved given the manner in which she won at Exeter last time out although she doesn’t have as progressive a profile as the other two. She can follow them home.
1 Castafiore – Decent on the flat when trained by Andre Fabre and won a Maiden at Dieppe two runs ago in June. Second on debut over Hurdles at Warwick last month and showed a few novice jumps. Should improve but may find a couple too good today.
2 Daisy De Sivola – Good form over Hurdles in France, scoring at Dieppe in June. Second at Auteuil on last start last month and has now joined the Nick Williams yard. Should continue to progress and likely to give it a good go.
3 Evening Hush – Showed good form on the flat for KJ Condon in Ireland and cost £55,000 in the summer. Showed that was money well spent when winning by 2 ½ lengths at Exeter 13 days ago when beating the re-opposing Litterale Ci. Got the run of the race that day and may struggle with that one today.
4 Heaven Scent – Fairly useful on the Flat for Ann Duffield, scoring at Pontefract last year. Was successful on debut at Market Rasen in July, causing a shock win when 50/1, doing it nicely by two lengths. Fair third on last start over Hurdles in August but last of 11 on the AW latest. Makes debut for Donald McCain today and best watched for now.
5 Hestina – Related to the useful De Vous A Moi and decent on the Flat when trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, winning a Fillies Handicap in October by 1 ¾ lengths. Makes first start for Dan Skelton today and market vibes would be positive but looks up against it against the market principals.
6 Litterale Ci – Showed smart form to win two from three on the Flat in France and showed a lot of promise when second behind the re-opposing Evening Hush at Exeter 13 days ago. Entitled to get closer to that one now with that run behind her and big player.
7 Pleasure Dome – Previously trained on the Flat for Peter Chapple-Hyam and had a fruitful time of it in September scoring a hat-trick of wins in Handicaps at Chelmsford, Yarmouth and Chester. Joined Jonjo O’ Neill for 72,000gns and sure to know his job first time out but this looks a tough assignment on debut.
8 Rosa Damascena – Filly by Kalanisi. Dam was half-sister to River Storm Dancer who was a Chase winner in Germany. Showed steady progression in two flat starts in France and is of interest given yard has won 2 of the last 4 renewals of this but faces a tough ask.