The odds-on backers of JASMINE BLISS at Lingfield in November were thwarted by a Nicky Henderson-trained mare making her debut under rules. The presence of the unraced Henderson charge Johnny's Jury, who has a high-class half-brother, may therefore cause a few butterflies but this otherwise looks a suitable opportunity for Jasmine Bliss to add to her bumper wins, especially as the Lingfield form has been boosted. Juventus De Brion produced one big run last winter but was pretty muted on his latest start and has since had wind surgery. Followango deserves a win over hurdles and may be the one to chase the selection home, but she looks too exposed to come out on top today.[Richard Austen]
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70,000euros foal, 150,000euros 3yo; eighth foal; closely related to useful bumper and 2m3f-2m5f hurdle/chase winner Danny Kirwan, half-brother to winners Appreciate It (high-class bumper and 2m hurdle/chase) and Pilgrim Way (2m4f-2m6f hurdle); from a top yard and is very much one to note.
Fell at the first flight in Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow (17-2) on penultimate start and never threatened to justify evens favouritism with an underpowered display in a maiden there (again about 2m4f on good to soft) later in October; last February's third at Ascot is the best form in this field but a lot now seems to depend on the wind surgery he had in November; also now tongue tied.
Third in an Irish maiden point in May 2023 and second of nine when favourite for a maiden bumper at Southwell (2m, good) one year later; needs better but he has some ability and should have potential.
65,000euros 3yo; half-brother to fairly useful 2m3f hurdle and 3m chase winner Pimlico Point; 28-1 for maiden hurdle at Leicester (2m4f, heavy; tired on run-in) early last month, held up and showing his inexperience but ending up 15l third of nine; work to do but he could be a major improver.
Close up in two of his three bumpers and has made the frame over about 2m4f on all three starts over hurdles; two of those races were on soft ground; should be thereabouts again but probably vulnerable.
Heavy-ground bumper winner here; 0-7 over hurdles but finished either second or third in all of those races, rallying when beaten a head here (3m handicap, heavy) on latest, and has a leading chance in this one.
Justified favouritism in three-runner Irish maiden point (3m, soft) in October 2022; sold for £60,000 soon afterwards but tailed off in a bumper at Hereford (soft; 7-1) in January 2023 and not seen since.
Irish maiden point winner who won in the mud last season in two of her three bumpers; turned over at 4-7 in a maiden hurdle at Lingfield (2m3f, soft) in November but the first two were well clear and the Henderson-trained winner has scored again since, in a Listed mares' novice event; can build on that performance, which already gives her serious claims.
