Nine mares line up for this decent Grade 3 with a potential superstar on show from the Mullins yard. Read on for our experts’ thoughts and betting tips.
IN SUMMARY: Willie Mullins looks to hold the key here and his improving Daisy’s Gift should run a good race and holds a few of these on her Wexford win. She will need a huge effort to overhaul her stablemate LISTEN DEAR who looks a mare going place having won her last five races in good style and she should account for these with a minimum of fuss. If she does fail though her stablemate should pick up the pieces.
1 Listen Dear – Won a couple of hurdles last term including a facile winner of a Grade 3 at Down Royal (Good/Soft) by 16 lengths. Started this year in similar fashion at the same track in mares’ race and since has jumped well to win to chases at Ballinrobe and Thurles on various ground. Stable won this with Vroum Vroum Mag in 2014 and looks another top prospect over fences for the champion trainer.
2 Annamatopoeia – Hasn’t won since 2014 and still a maiden after 12 runs over fences. Has been running well in defeat and finished a decent third behind Daisy’s Gift at Wexford (Soft) 19 days ago. Unlikely to get closer to that one today and playing for minor places.
3 Barnahash Rose – Decent enough hurdler on her day but well behind ninth of 14 to Daisy’s Gift at Wexford 19 days ago and well held by that rival again.
4 Billy Billy – Easily accounted for two rivals when twenty-seven length winner at Ayr (Heavy) in March. Didn’t fare to badly on chasing debut behind Daisy’s Gift when fourth but unlikely to turn the tables on that one here.
5 Colla Pier – Decent hurdler and game winner from the favourite at Plumpton (Good/Firm). Fair runs in a couple of Grade 3 chases this term and not disgraced when eighth of 12 in a Listed hurdle event at Ascot on latest start. Reverts back to chasing today but will need a career best to trouble these even on best form.
6 Daisy’s Gift – Listed hurdle winner last term at Gowran and produced a career-best to win a mares beginners chase at Wetherby at third attempt last time out ahead of a few of these. Best form not good enough to trouble stablemate but should continue to progress and the one most likely to win if the likely favourite slips-up.
7 Girly Girly – Three-time winner for Dan Skelton including a facile winner at Exeter in February and now with Jessica Harrington. Well beaten on chase debut for new yard at Gowran last time out and should improve for that. Unlikely to trouble the market principals.
8 Hello Sweetie – Fair chaser who won on debut at Clonmel (Good) over 2m2f but struggled in a Grade 3 on penultimate start at Clonmel when well beaten by Westerner Lady into fourth and looks well held here against the front two based on that. Hard to fancy.
9 Misty Lady – Back-to-back winners over hurdles at Gowran and Listowel last Autumn reaching a mark of 129 but up against it on best hurdle form and this looks a tough assignment up in trip on chase debut. Best watched for now.