Racecards
14:30 Huntingdon
E.B.F./crandon Park Stud Mares' Only 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier) (Class D)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
Diamant Noir
23- Form 211-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey E Cooper
held up, steady headway from 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace
Shaadiva
21- Form 0043-31
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
held up in touch, led 3 out, clear last, ran on well
Cherry Queen
15- Form 00
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
held up, pulled hard, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 2
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey J P McNamara
led, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened and eased
- Form 060-P
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs P Robeson
- Jockey J M Maguire
tracked leaders, weakened 6th, behind when pulled up 3 out
- Form 0-536P
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R M Beckett
- Jockey L P Aspell
tracked leader, driven to challenge 3 out, weakened next
- Form 1340-3
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R Johnson Houghton
- Jockey M Bradburne
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, soon one pace
- Form 03-0
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Jefferson
- Jockey G Lee
held up, pulled hard, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 30
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
Upright Ima
28- Form 3-4
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs P Sly
- Jockey W A Worthington
held up, headway after 7th, soon no impression
Windfola
19- Form 5-05
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R D E Woodhouse
- Jockey D N Russell
in touch, chased winner 3 out, weakened last
Princess Tessa
699- Form 240/
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey C Llewellyn
Nonrunner
Tanners Friend
270- Form 0000P-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss C Dyson
- Jockey Miss C Dyson
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
Diamant Noir lines up in top form and is confidently expected to add to her tally at the expense of Shaadiva, Rock Garden and Our Prima Donna. Diamant Noir, a promising second on her bumper debut here in February, has been in a rich vein of form since, winning two in that sphere before going hurdling. Unbeaten in both starts at Towcester, her jumping should improve and she rates the one to beat. Shaadiva opened her account over hurdles at Wincanton where she could have done with a stronger pace. If she gets that here, Alan King's mare can figure. Rock Garden was unfancied on her debut over timber at Newbury but ran well in third and should be capable of picking up a similar event. Our Prima Donna, a well-bred mare, is sure to have been schooled well, and is a half-sister to Hati Roy who won this race four years ago. Colnside Brook might have won on her bumper bow at Warwick had she not hung near the finish. They all have potential, but Diamant Noir has already shown what she can do and should defy a penalty.