Pace Angles:
With no habitual front-runner among this field and several recent bumper runners making their hurdles debut, this shapes as a no gallop / muddling pace contest. Those with prior hurdling experience may gain tactical advantage from better positioning.

Draw Angles:
Not applicable over jumps.

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Strongest Contenders + Main Dangers + Interesting Outsiders

Strongest Contender – Just A Heartbeat (Promising):
Ran a solid second on hurdles debut behind Presenting Milan at Fontwell, shaping like she’ll improve for that first experience over jumps. This daughter of Scorpion is from a strong stamina family and looks well-placed by Harry Fry, who does well in these races. Ticks all boxes for progress and suitability.

Main Danger – Celestron Star (Promising):
Dual bumper winner whose latest run over hurdles was below expectations, finishing sixth at Market Rasen, but she was keen and novicey. Her pedigree (half-sister to a staying winner) and previous wins suggest she can improve significantly now with experience. Yard in form and booking of Luke Scott is a plus.

Main Danger – Chips And Rice (Proven on Flat, Promising over hurdles):
Ex-Flat performer who has taken well to hurdling. A third and fourth in novice company are solid given her Flat mark. Still learning the game but has the engine to win in this grade. Will be dangerous if she settles into a rhythm.

Interesting Outsider – Lipstick Traces (Promising):
Consistent in bumpers, including behind Celestron Star at Hexham, and then close second at Kelso. Brian Hughes now takes over and, while her pedigree suggests she’ll need further, she’s forward-going and may take well to hurdling at this trip.

Interesting Outsider – Never Told Me (Unexposed):
Well-bred (by Blue Bresil out of a Flemensfirth mare) and ran with promise in a warm Cheltenham bumper. Her recent hurdles debut was decent in a stronger race. With Fergal O’Brien targeting this race, she warrants respect.

Others:

• Princesse Milania – Showed promise in bumpers but flopped on latest hurdles start. Looks one for further.
• Richieandsams Lady – Point winner and made a winning bumper debut, but the time was ordinary. May improve over longer.
• Brionywells / Brooklyn Lullaby – Lacked fluency and/or found little when asked in recent novice hurdles. Minor place chances at best.
• La Lolita / Jammy Jay / Feeling Frisky – All likely to find this too hot based on current form.
• Darcy’s Glance / Hannahs Story / Lusso Milan – Exposed and struggling at lower levels. Hard to recommend.

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Runner Scores and Suitability Analysis

• Just A Heartbeat – 8.5/10 – Ran well on debut, strong connections, bred for this trip.
• Celestron Star – 8/10 – Dual bumper winner, more to come with hurdling experience.
• Chips And Rice – 7.5/10 – Solid Flat profile and hurdling progress, may go close.
• Lipstick Traces – 7/10 – Strong bumper form, hurdles debut watch.
• Never Told Me – 7/10 – Smart pedigree, quietly progressive; trainer targets race.
• Princesse Milania – 6/10 – Needs further, signs of ability in bumpers.
• Richieandsams Lady – 6/10 – Bumper winner, form modest; longer trip will suit.
• Brooklyn Lullaby – 5.5/10 – Limited impact in bumpers; first hurdle try.
• Brionywells – 5/10 – Weakened in maiden hurdles; may pick up minor place.
• Jammy Jay – 4.5/10 – Weak form in bumpers and hurdles; limited promise.
• Feeling Frisky – 4/10 – Showed little in all starts to date.
• Darcy’s Glance – 3.5/10 – Exposed and moderate at best.
• Lusso Milan – 3/10 – Weakened in weak races, not one to trust.
• Hannahs Story – 2.5/10 – Pulled up in last two, regressive profile.

Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form mares returning quickly; they can be hot.

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Each-Way Angles

13 runners – each-way market active.

• Lipstick Traces appeals as a potential each-way play given her solid bumper profile and booking of Brian Hughes.

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Private Tissue Estimate (Odds)

• Just A Heartbeat – 9/4
• Celestron Star – 3/1
• Chips And Rice – 4/1
• Lipstick Traces – 8/1
• Never Told Me – 10/1
• Princesse Milania – 12/1
• Richieandsams Lady – 16/1
• Brionywells – 20/1
• Brooklyn Lullaby – 25/1
• Others – 33/1+

Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.

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Summary + Professional Punter View

This mares’ maiden has depth with several potential improvers stepping out of bumpers or building on first hurdle starts. Just A Heartbeat showed excellent promise at Fontwell and is expected to progress again. Celestron Star, though below par on hurdles debut, retains upside from a winning background. Chips And Rice brings Flat class and is not to be underestimated.

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Smart Play

• Win Selection: Just A Heartbeat – strong debut, good yard, and shaped as a natural jumper.
• Each-Way Saver: Lipstick Traces – bumper form reads well and Hughes booking is eye-catching.