Wincanton 1.50
Wincanton 1.50 - Mares Handicap Hurdle - Class 2 - 2 miles 5 furlongs - 14 run - Going Good
A race named after one of the main patrons of the Paul Nicholls Empire (Richard Barber) and one the greatest Trainer is sure to want to win.
He runs two of which CILL ANNA looks to be a very progressive mare, in a handicap for the first time, doesn't look over-burdened and to my eyes the one to beat. Stablemate who is a recruit from the Willie Mullins yard is one to keep a close eye on after today too, may just need the run and time to settle in.
Henderson sends Sunrise Ruby who has had 2 wins from 2 runs, so has fitness onside but I'm not sure what the sum parts of those wins adds up to exactly. A big danger too will be Henry Daly's ITS PROBABLY ME who is another progressive Mare on handicap debut and possibly the one who'll give CILL ANNA the most to do.
At a big price I am drawn to last years winner MISTY BLOOM. It's always worth following Mares at the time of the season that they have been successful in during the past and this one won the race impressively last season on Good to Soft off a mark of 117 backing up a win earlier that season. It then suffered and could not compete off a mark of 128 and has probably lost confidence and sulked as mares can do as a result. It's had 2 disappointing runs but should be fit now and back to a more realistic mark of 121 and back over this Course and Distance, with Nick Schofield a massive asset in the saddle, if the horse returns to anything like it's best known form, she is definitely over-priced and worth a small investment.
TIP - CILL ANNA / Tracker - Misty Bloom