Racecards
16:15 Towcester
Alphameric Red Onion Mares' Only 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class E)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
Aifung (IRE)
241- Form 611-541
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer R Buckler
- Jockey B Hitchcott
held up towards rear, pushed along and headway 6th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
Sword Lady
47- Form 6-1233
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Mrs S Williams
- Jockey R Walford
with leader till mistake 7th, ridden to chase 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ran on after last
- Form 5
- Age 5
- Weight 10-7
held up in touch and mistakes, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
Miss Mailmit
19- Form 6-03F3
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer J Old
- Jockey M Bradburne
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
- Form 2U
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer D R Gandolfo
- Jockey T Doyle
held up behind, headway 6th, ridden and weakened soon after, pulled up before 3 out
Proper Posh
33- Form 00
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Mrs H Dalton
- Jockey R Thornton
held up rear, effort after 6th, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 5-P0
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey A O'keeffe
in touch till weakened 7th, hung left until pulled up approaching last
The Bar Maid
10- Form 0602PP
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Mrs G Harvey
- Jockey C Llewellyn
led, ridden 3 out, challenged and headed approaching 2 out, no extra flat
Bally's Bak
47- Form 0-U330F
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey J R Ryan
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
Motcombe is the narrow pick in a wide-open mares' only handicap, with Rakassa, Glenogue, Aifung and Sword Lady just a few more to consider. Unlike some of the other races on the card, this is a really hard one to call, and it is more in hope than optimism that Motcombe is selected. Robert Alner has his team ticking over nicely at present, and with Andy Thornton back in the saddle in time for Cheltenham next week, she should go well. The mare was always playing second fiddle to Our Dream at Chepstow last month but showed that she does not mind testing conditions, and this slight step up in trip should suit. Rakassa surely did not run up to her mark when beaten by Wimbledonian at Folkestone and is a consistent sort who will again no doubt be involved in the finish. Glenogue is improving slowly and has a future over fences, while Aifung falls into the same category but has been absent since winning narrowly at Newton Abbot last summer. Sword Lady cannot be discounted as she is already a winner here, and she will appreciate the stiff finish. However, in receipt of seven pounds, Motcombe is the pick.