Racecards
18:45 Southwell
Connolly's Red Mills Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 1m 7f 153y
- Going: Good (Good to Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
- Winner: £3,899
- 2nd: £1,145
- 3rd: £572
- 4th: £286
- Form 2/2P36-2
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 119
- Trainer A King
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
pressed leader, led before 2 out, ridden clear between last 2, stayed on well
- Form 400-5
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer David Dennis
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
led, headed before 2 out, lost place when left 4th and hampered 2 out, weakened before last
- Form 35/62-F
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey P J Brennan
held up in last pair in touch, tracked leaders when left 3rd and hampered 2 out, outpaced between last 2, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd flat, no impression with winner
Happy Diva (IRE)
132- Form 58/2F2-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 114
tracked leaders, effort on inside when left 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, one pace before last, no impression when lost 2nd flat, kept on
- Form 1/2-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey D A Jacob
tracked leaders, headway to dispute 2nd every chance when fell 2 out
- Form 600-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey David Bass
held up in last pair in touch, struggling 6th, never on terms, weakened before 2 out
In depth
Verdict
AVISPA is hardly a reliable betting proposition having finished second in six of her nine hurdle starts but she is the form pick so we'll give Alan King's mare one final chance to get her head in front. Happy Diva has been knocking on the door and should be winning soon while Fit The Brief still appeared to be travelling well when coming to grief at Worcester last time. Lets Hope So stayed on late when second at Huntingdon and gives the impression that she'll be suited by further but still looks best of the rest.
Formwatch
Avispa 5-4 (10-12) Jumped slightly left at times, tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, upsides winner from next, stayed on, held close home, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Morning Herald (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gf in May.
Bitter Virtue 25-1 (11-2) Held up, closed before 2 out, no impression on winner, one pace, 5th of 8, 22 1/4l behind Dusky Legend (11-2) at Warwick 2m mdn (5) gd in May.
Fit The Brief 5-1 (11-0) Slowly away, held up in rear, headway to track leaders before 3 out, close up in 3rd and going well when fell next, at Worcester 2m mdn (5) gs in May.
Happy Diva (IRE) 11-10jfav (11-2) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd 3rd, led after 3 out, ridden when not fluent last, edged right and headed flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Pulling Power (11-2) at Towcester 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Lets Hope So 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, tracked leaders 3 out, challenged next, every chance when hampered between last 2, mistake last, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no impression with winner, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Late Night Lily (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Rhianna 100-1 (10-10) Mid-division, pushed along 4f out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 34l behind Mere Ironmonger (10-10) at Kempton 2m mdn (5) gd in Mar.
Heighnow 200-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, lost place next, soon behind, tailed off 3 out, last of 13, dist behind Late Night Lily (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Apr.