'There are a few positives there' – can Honeyball pair Good Look Charm and Pure Theatre outrun their big odds?

From only a handful of runners in recent seasons Anthony Honeyball has provided winners of this mares’ handicap hurdle at 18-1 and 10-1 along with a 33-1 second. Could the layers have underestimated his challenge again?

Good Look Charm leads the way for Honeyball this time after springing a surprise in this event last season when repelling a heap of younger, better-fancied mares. That came on her comeback and rustiness is unlikely to be an issue, although an 8lb higher mark and better calibre of opponent might be.

Rex Dingle has selected Good Look Charm over stablemate Pure Theatre and that is understandable in light of her dismal chase debut at Fontwell in September when sent off a well-backed favourite. However, market support of that nature needs to be heeded and it will be interesting to see which way Pure Theatre moves in the betting on her return to hurdles. Perhaps fences simply aren’t for her.

A young, improving horse with recent form figures of 11223 is always going to be popular in a race of this nature and early favourite Pretending commands plenty of respect for Lucy Wadham. She started out on the Flat for Sir Mark Prescott and has gradually raised her game over hurdles with experience. However, her peak Racing Post Rating is 5lb below her revised BHA one after her Uttoxeter success and this contest is far deeper.

The best handicap form in the field arguably belongs to All The Glory, who toyed with the shorter-priced Larchmont Lass in a competitive Grade 2 mares’ novice handicap at Newbury in March despite her connections’ reservations over the ground. It is rare for that race to be taken in such decisive fashion.

While All The Glory never kicked on from that in three subsequent outings, her profile suggests she is best when fresh. An 112-day absence can be overcome.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Olly Murphy, trainer of Space Voyage
She ran well in the race last year and is back down to a mark where she can be competitive. She’s had trouble with her wind previously but, if she gets into a rhythm, she’s got an each-way chance at a big price.

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Good Look Charm and Pure Theatre
Good Look Charm won the race last year on much softer ground. Underfoot conditions are a big worry, but this race has always been the plan. We’ll see how it rides. Hopefully there will be a little bit of juice in it for her. Pure Theatre is probably a little out of her depth. She’s only small, has a low weight, and will like the ground; there are a few positives there. The trip and track will also suit so it looks worth taking a chance.

Keiran Burke, trainer of The Height Of Fame
I’m not sure whether she’s at the top end of her handicap rating now. We’ll ride her a bit differently and sit handy in this better race. It’s a bit of a fact-finding mission to see where we stand with her, but she does have the advantage of proven race-fitness over several of her rivals.

Harry Cobden, rider of Larchmont Lass
She’s fit and well and is in good form at home. Ideally to be at her best she needs the ground to be a bit softer, but she’ll have a chance.

Willy Twiston-Davies, assistant to Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Strong Belle
She was entitled to get tired first time out and I think she’ll come on a lot for the run. Her homework has improved since and we’re hopeful of a big run.

Harry Fry, trainer of Ma Belle Noire
The weights for this race went up so we thought we’d take our chance. It’s a nice, valuable prize for mares and, although she’s got a bit to find, I think she’s got an each-way shout. She hasn’t run since the spring but tends to go well fresh. She’ll be fine on the ground.
Reporting by Richard Birch

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