THE OLBG MARESâ HURDLE (FOR THE DAVID NICHOLSON TROPHY) Class 1, Grade 2, £70,000 Total prize fund, 4.40pm, Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Two miles and four furlongs. For four-year-olds and upwards, Fillies and Mares only. Weights: 4-y-o 10st 5lb; 5-y-o and upwards 11st. Penalties: after September 30, 2010, a winner of a Class 2 weight-for-age hurdle race or Class 1 handicap hurdle race 3lb; of a Class 1 weight-for-age hurdle race 5lb. Entries closed February 28, entries revealed February 29 (28 entries), six-day confirmations March 7, final declaration 10.00am March 12. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, February 27. Form Horse Age Owner Trainer 43133(1) A LITTLE SWIFTER (IRE) 6 Dr Clive Layton & Ken Lawrence Neil King 0111U1 ALASI 8 Shully Liebermann Paul Webber 1134-12 BABY SHINE (IRE) 6 P A Philipps, T S & Mrs L Redman Lucy Wadham 1P2233 BELLE DE FONTENAY (FR) 7 George Baker & Partners George Baker 143111 BLAZING TEMPO (IRE) 8 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE 215153 CANDELITA 5 Pedro Rosas Jo Hughes 14-5245 CLOUDY SPIRIT 7 Norma Harris Reg Hollinshead 3-31533 DARE TO DOUBT 8 Jim Ennis Willie Mullins IRE 2146F4 DORABELLE (IRE) 7 Brendan Richardson Donald McCain 3F1444 GOLDEN SUNBIRD (IRE) 8 Jim Mernagh Paul Nolan IRE 22P33(3) HIMAYNA 8 The Futures Bright Partnership Frank Sheridan 116231 IXORA (IRE) 6 The Ixora Racing Partnership Jamie Snowden 30-3241 KELLS BELLE (IRE) 6 Brian,Gwen,Terri & Kelly Griffiths Nicky Henderson 0-53112 KENTFORD GREY LADY 6 Ian Bare Emma Lavelle 11-U143 LIFESTYLE 6 The Turf Club & David Ford Nicky Henderson 633211 LUCIA BAY 7 Drew & Ailsa Russell Lucinda Russell 660313 OUR GIRL SALLEY (IRE) 7 Mrs A O'Neill Prunella Dobbs IRE 3011/1-1 QUEVEGA (FR) 8 Hammer & Trowel Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE 31300-6 SANTERA (IRE) 8 Jason Tucker Tony Carroll 314142 SHOP DJ (IRE) 7 Arthur Craigie Peter Fahey IRE 1-21113 SWINCOMBE FLAME 6 Yeo Racing Partnership Nick Williams 41-3412 TEMPEST RIVER (IRE) 6 Fly Like The Wind Partnership Ben Case F TERRE DU VENT (FR) 6 Simon Clarke Tom George 26656(0) THE STRAWBERRY ONE 7 Kykie Allsopp David Arbuthnot 12-4114 UNACCOMPANIED (IRE) 5 Moyglare Stud Farms Ltd Dermot Weld IRE 4/611-45 VEILED 6 Pump & Plant Services Ltd Nicky Henderson 23-1331 VIOLIN DAVIS (FR) 6 Andrew Polson Paul Nicholls 501-030 WHAT A CHARM (IRE) 5 Chris Jones Arthur Moore IRE 28 entries
Interesting that Mr Henderson chucks 3 in this against Quevega (including a Royal Ascot winner). The forum’s favourite trainer is undoubtedly the best trainer of a filly or mare over obstacles, probably as a result of his magic hands, and although they all have it to do on official ratings he isn’t one to waste an owner’s entry fee and shouldn’t be ruled out. Another interesting one is the Tom George mare that took a crashing final at the penultimate flight in the Dovecote at the weekend. Had Group 1 form on the flat and was, up until her fall, running a corker in that Grade 2. I’m disappointed though that Kaffie didn’t make the line-up. Really rate her and would have looked forward to her starting at huge odds.
Apparently Unaccompanied will only run in this if Quevega doesn't. She might, therefore, be worth an investment at 4/1 NRNB with Bet365. She's sure to be a good bit shorter than that if she turns up because that will mean Quevega hasn't.
Her Fred Winter win did come off a rating of 115 by a neck. She's now rated 123 compared to Quevega's 158. She also has a good bit to find with many of the others too.
The Duke must be a bit miffed as he looks down on us, having this joke of a race named after him. Quevega is brilliant and if the meeting had not been diluted we would see her augmenting one of the other races. Rant over.
Is anyone following Betfairs pricing on this race ? Last night Quevega drifted out to 1.7 back and 2 to lay which is quite an alarming drift for a solid 1.6 shot all week - worryingly her lay price went out to 2.5 at one point. I get some comfort that all is well in that the 1.49 and 1.5 orders on the lay side of the place market remained intact throughout - any updates ?
Market really wasnt very deep at all Griz so anyone wanting to take her on in reasonable size may have hoovered the lot. Could it be that more Mares have been declared than were expected? If say 15-20 horses line up against Quevega the chances of her being brought down or badly hampered increase....
There have been some bizarre little trades going on everywhere. I think wity festival fever approaching, the layers are starting to get involved and take people on. I saw Make Your Mark go from 320s to 50s for the Supreme at one point, have watched Trifolium go to 16 from 27 for the Supreme. Big support for Darlan and Steps To Freedom. Keep an eye on First Lieutenant too- support for the Jewson and he has moved position in the RSA betfair market.
Last I heard she was back for the flat next year! Very interesting if she runs, and surely if she wasn't going they would have whipped her out today..... Unless they forgot
Why would they have taken her out to day when there is still the possibility that Quevega might suffer a setback between now and the race? I'd expect her to be kept in until the last minute so she is able to take advantage should the favourite fall by the wayside.
Does she only run then if the wondermare doesn't run Zen? She'd gone totally off my radar as I thought they said she was missing the Festival.
Ta Zen, I hope she doesn't run as I've done a couple of sizeable doubles on Monday with Wonderwoman and Superman aka Quevega and Hurricane Fly double
Fascinating race with the top four on official ratings coming over from Ireland (3 prob as Unaccomoanied wont) but the UK challenge is really strong with three mares that I love all still with any amount of potential. I refer to Swincombe Flame, Kentford Grey Lady and Baby Shine. Swincombe Flame lost nothin in defeat to Bourne last time and simply doesnt know how to run a bad race. She has twice beaten Kentford Grey Lady but that mare continues on an upward curve. The most unexposed of the three is BABY SHINE 25-1. I really didnt think they her would take her to the Festival this year but it seems that its all systems ago. She has incredible scope to improve on some already fine form and its a travesty that she doesnt come into this race unbeaten this season. Chasing is the future for her but she has plenty of toe. Can the three mix it with the wonder mare Quevega, we shall see but I am predicting that this year will be her sternest test to date. Contrary to an earlier comment I think the Duke would be salivating looking at this contest run in his name. I know I am!
