The progressive Rosie And Millie looks decent value to land the spoils in the feature race at Sandown on Friday, the extended 2m 3f Grade 2 Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (14:25).
Trained by Michael Scudamore, this seven-year-old has some fair form in bumpers and showed improved form in all three of her starts over hurdles this season.
In the first of those at Ffos Las, the daughter of Flemensfirth raced keenly in the early stages.
After taking up the running two out going well, she only got collared close home and beaten a neck by Vienna Court.
The winner has scored again since and the front two pulled three lengths clear of the well-regarded Whitehotchillifili, who also went on to taste success next time up.
That gives the form a solid look. Rosie And Millie then had no difficulty opening her account next time up in an 11-runner maiden contest when making all to win eased down by half-a-length from Stainsby Girl.
She was value for plenty more than the winning margin and has since run very well when stepping up into Listed company where she was runner-up to Desaray Girl at Haydock.
Rosie And Millie rallied tenaciously after being headed at the last to go down all guns blazing by a neck.
She now meets the runner-up on 5lb better terms – so that should be more than enough to see her turn the tables.
As Rosie And Millie is clearly going the right way and appeals as the type that has more to offer, odds of 100/30 with Betway appeal. She has proven form on the forecast testing ground.
So, in what doesn’t look like the strongest renewal of the Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, Rosie And Millie gets our vote.
Cill Anna a big player in Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle for in-form Nicholls
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls had the very smart Silver Forever entered for this, so the fact that he relies solely on Cill Anna speaks volumes and makes her the obvious main danger.
This five-year-old won her Irish point when trained by Colin Bowe and, after being purchased by Andy Stewart, came good at the third time of asking over hurdles.
Cill Anna stayed on strongly to get up close home and beat Emmas Joy by half-a-length in a 12-runner contest at Warwick.
The runner-up has won since and the pair pulled eight lengths clear of the third home Thoor Castle – with the rest of the field strung out like washing.
There was lots to like about the attitude that Cill Anna showed to get the job done. She has since gone on to easily beat Miss Hone Ryder by seven lengths at Wincanton.
As she had the aforementioned Whitehotchillifil a further 5 1/2 lengths behind in third that day, she arguably has the beating of Rosie And Millie on a strict form line with Harry Fry’s charge.
However, this does represent a significant step up in grade for Cill Anna whereas Rosie And Millie has already proved that she can mix it at Listed level.
The daughter of Imperial Monarch is also officially rated 1lb below the selection, so another step forward is required. That is entirely possible, given her powerful connections.
Nicholls is in fine form and operating at a strike rate of 28 per cent in the last 14 days at the time of writing.
At odds of 15/8 with Coral, however, Cill Anna looks worth taking on in her hat-trick bid.
Desaray Girl and Deja Vue can’t be discounted
Although now worse off at the weights with Rosie And Millie, the aforementioned Desaray Girl cannot be ruled out as she seeks her fourth success on the bounce.
This Phil Kirby trained five-year-old, a 9/2 chance with Betfred, has gone on to score in facile at Sedgefield since they clashed at Haydock and is clearly on the up.
However, as a previous winner in the grade, she has to give 5lb to all five of her Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle rivals. That looks like a big ask against some similarly improving types.
Deja Vue, who hails from in the in-form yard of Anthony Honeyball, looked a smart prospect when winning back-to-back contests at Ffos Las in November and December, before flopping when a well-beaten fifth of six to Marie’s Rock in a Listed contest at Taunton.
She did take a step back in the right direction last time out when third in a handicap at Haydock, but this demands much more.
Hence, at 3/1 with Boylesports, she looks plenty short enough and is passed over on this occasion.
Irish radier Botani is a fascinating contender for Colm Murphy on the back of a career-best and much improved effort last time out when fourth in a Listed contest at Thurles.
This six-year-old now needs to build on that, but if doing so could be capable of running better than her odds of 11/1 with BetVictor suggest.
The field is completed by the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Bit On The Side, who on all known form has a mountain to climb and faces an impossible task.
Odds of 33/1 with William Hill look a true reflection of her chances.
