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Oct 29 2016 @ 10:28
Polly Rodgers posted an update in the group Horse Racing 7 years, 5 months ago
OLBG Mares’ Hurdle
The Wetherby Mares’ Hurdle is a Listed National Hunt race which is open to mares aged four years or older that takes place at Wetherby Racecourse over a distance of two miles. There are a total of eight hurdles to be jumped.
This race marks the start of the OLBG Mares’ Road to Cheltenham Series to which their are a total of six races sponsored by OLBG that is then run in Great Britain.
If you do want to keep a close eye on the series, the next race to take place will be the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle run at Kempton later in November!
OLBG.com Mares’ Hurdle (Listed) (Class 1)The market leader for this race lies with Miss Crick (9/4 William Hill), trained by Alan King. This five year old has been on the improve this season having won her last two starts, most recently in a handicap at Worcester last month, there is no doubt there is potential for better from Miss Crick and will be looking for her third straight win.
Next in the running we have Dan Skelton’s, Stephanie Frances (100/30 William Hill). A lovely mare we have seen over fences, winning 2 from 3 in her last few races but this time is reverting back to the hurdles so would be expected to be up in the running for the top three in the race.
Card Game (7/2 William Hill) has looked impressive early 2016 in the handicaps, latest win was back in April at Sedgefield but we have seen some potential in this mare since then just not quite managing to get her head in front to take the win and being left in second for these last two runs.
One mare that I will be keeping a close eye on is Midnight Jazz (4/1 William Hill), trained by Ben Case and partnered with Kielan Woods. Took place in this race last year and managed third place, this time I think they will be looking to go for the win and/or to at least be back in the placings. Looks to be in good form having won in a handicap at Stratford just fourteen days ago.
Pass The Time (5/1 William Hill) has been seen to be a good hurdler in the past but recently spent the summer jumping the fences. Trainer, Neil Mulholland has let her go back to the hurdles after a poor performance at Newton Abbot last time out September, finishing 35+ lengths behind the winner. This could just relight her flame after a good spell off the track. If she gets the run she wants and remains unchallenged in front we could see one of her better runs here.
Course and distance winner, Beyondtemptation (33/1 William Hill) is one of two outsiders of the field but one that has been successful early in the year having won six out of eight handicap races from February. For her last three starts has been going to Hexham and has a form of ‘Pulled Up (P), Fell (F) and Pulled Up (P)’ and now has even stronger company which is worrying so the odds for this runner is understandable.
The other outsider with odds of 80/1 with William Hill is Degenerous, compared with the other runners certainly hard to see this one marking the top three, has been a modest performer but not one I can see standing out with the talent that is on show here. Richie McLernon takes the mount and if anyone can get the best out of a horse he’s the one to partner it!Midnight Jazz gets my vote having improved a great deal and will be ready to keep up the winning streak after a good performance last time out.
#PollysPicks
135 – Solstice Star // Double W’s (FC)
210 – Midnight Jazz (WIN) // Miss Crick // Card Game (TC)
245 – If In Doubt // Native River (EW)
320 – Blaklion // Cue Card // Dynaste (EW/TC)
355 – Ozzie The Oscar // Largy Girl (EW)
430 – Royal Vacation // Zeroeshadesofgrey (FC)
505 – Brian Boranha // Western Breeze (EW)Good luck to all runners and riders, wishing them all a safe return. I will have my fingers crossed for all connections and hope everyone enjoys another day of racing at Wetherby, I’m excited to be going myself so if anyone else is about, look out for me – happy to say hi! #PollyOnTour #OLBGonTour
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