Cill Anna is lining up as the one to beat on Saturday at Doncaster in this Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. She is heading towards the start line as an odds-on favourite, but will it be that cut and dry on the day?
There are eight runners entered for the class 1 trip (Listed) which is over a distance of 3m 84y. There’s some big young staying power being put to the test in this one.
Doncaster Saturday 15:00 Race Odds*
Cilla Anna 8/13
Eleanor Bob 4/1
Aimee De Sivola 8/1
Early Morning Rain 12/1
Easter Gold 20/1
Igg Rose 33/1
Ballycallan Fame 33/1
* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on February 28th, 2020 at 20:40 GMT)
Horse Racing Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Cilla Anna
Holding clear favouritism over this big 3m trip is Cill Anna for trainer Paul Nicholls. She has won her last two trips which gives her the rightful big claims.
Cilla Anna was last out at Wincanton at a 2m 5f distance and that followed a win at the same distance in her previous race which was at Warwick. So she has dealt with the hurdles well and she did win a point to point up at the 3m distance.
She heads up the field as the 8/13 favourite* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on February 28th, 2020 at 20:40 GMT).
Eleanor Bob
There are few horses in the field who can match the form of Cilla Anna, but Eleanor Bob is right up there. She carries serious claims having won her last two races as well. She beat Misty Whisky by 9l in December at Exeter over the hurdles in her last race.
There will be a distance hike for her here to handle over the hurdles. That’s the only question about her entry in this race, does she have the distance? As a 4/1 option, punters may be tempted to back her to have it* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on February 28th, 2020 at 20:40 GMT)
Aimee De Sivola
The only other runner running in single figures for this race on Friday night, was Aimee De Sivola at 8/1* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on February 28th, 2020 at 20:40 GMT). That’s a fairly long price in such a small field but it does paint a fair picture.
She was a 6/5 favourite for her last race which was a 2m 4f hurdle at Newbury last month. She wasn’t in the picture at all finishing 5th of 10. There has been a steady decline in results from her (1235) and that is likely to take punters away from the six year old who is trained by Nick Williams.
Early Morning Rain
A lot about this race is just who is going to have that extra staying power in them at 3m. It’s not a distance that the majority of these have been tested at. Early Morning Rain may not be a bad outsider option to consider.
She has won twice this season, victories happening at Lingfield and Fontwell at 2m and 2m 1f respectively. Her last race was in early February when she stepped up to 2m 5f at Warwick and that was in class 1 company, something that she is familiar with, and finished sixth of eight.
At the 12/1 odds there may be enough for e/w interest* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on February 28th, 2020 at 20:40 GMT).
Rest of the runners
Easter Gold was second at Wetherby over 2m earlier this month in a field of eleven. The six year old had taken a win in her previous race over the same distance at Lingfield Park. She is carrying form, but steps up in class.
Ziggy Rose has placed in three hurdle races from five outings so far. She actually pulled together a good 2nd of 13 on her latest trip which was at Ludlow in a 3m trip.
Ballycallan Fame has had two starts, the most recent of which saw her end as a beaten favourite, finishing 4th of 7 at Warwick in a NH flat race earlier in February.
Aurora Thunder has taken a second-place finish in each of her last three trips, the most recent of which was at Ayr over 2m 4f last month. She has won at that distance before.
Moyode Gold and Sophite Fatale are non-runners.
Predictions & Tips
Cill Anna is likely to go to the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. If she wins this then she will go there with improved claims as well. She is the one to beat and we can’t see past her claiming success.
Early Morning Rain piques interest because of experience at class 1 but she hasn’t delivered a win up there. Eleanor Bob is worth a look because of some good form and looks the best option to roll with if you want to oppose the favourite.
A big outside claim for a place has to be Ziggy Rose, just because she had a decent trip over 3m in her last race. While this one is among the tougher company, she is up against a field which hasn’t been exposed to the distance by and large.
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February Sat 29th – Doncaster, Newbury & Kelso – ITV4 Live Races
DONCASTER
13:50 The 888Sport Handicap Hurdle Race
14:25 The 888Sport Bet £10 Get £30 Handicap Steeple Chase
15:00 The 888Sport Take ‘Em On Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Race (Listed Race)
15:35 The 888Sport Grimthorpe Handicap Steeple Chase
NEWBURY
14:05 The William Hill Supporting Greatwood Veterans’ Handicap Steeple Chase
15:13 The William Hill Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (Grade 3)
KELSO
14:45 The William Hill Premier Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 2)
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Key Terms & Conditions
This offer is only available to new and eligible customers and applies to the FIRST single bet placed by a customer on each race shown live on ITV Racing. This offer will not apply where a stake has been fully Cashed Out. Where a stake has been partially Cashed Out, any refund amount or subsequent risk-free bet amount will be equal to the remaining active stake.
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