Racecards
14:45 Taunton
Leath Jewellers & Valuers Challenge Trophy 'National Hunt' Mares' Only Novices' Hurdle (Class C)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Form 0-52212
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer Mrs S Gardner
- Jockey R Thornton
held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on from last
- Form 3030-51
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer P R Webber
- Jockey T Doyle
led and clear at first, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 0/305-1F
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Mrs A Bowlby
- Jockey P Flynn
held up last, ridden and some headway 3 out, stayed on from last
- Form 642-53
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
prominent, not fluent 6th, ridden and chased winner after 3 out, stayed on from last
Queen Soraya
30- Form 1106-6
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey S Thomas
chased leader, led on bit 3 out, ridden 2 out, quicken from last, ran on well flat
In depth
Verdict
This is a trappy affair and none of the five runners can be ruled out, but we will narrow it down to Leroy's Sister and Darjeeling with the vote going to the first mentioned. The selection hails from the in-form Paul Nicholls yard and ran well when finishing third behind Cherokee Bay at Folkestone last time out. She should appreciate this return to a faster surface and with Mick Fitzgerald in the plate she looks to have a solid chance of getting her head in front. Darjeeling looks progressive and she ran well when second behind Petite Margot over 2m6f last time. The drop back to this trip will be a help and she rates the main danger. Emerald Express won well last time but will find this tougher, while Lady Racquet was still travelling well when she fell last time out. Queen Soraya was well beaten last time and will need to improve, but for the winner we return to Leroy's Sister.