Analysis and quotes as 'big two' hold obvious chances in mares' hurdle

12.30 Huntingdon
Bet 10 Get 20 With MansionBet Mares' Maiden Hurdle | 4yo+ | 2m3½f | RTV

Panic Attack looked a potential star when making a winning debut for Willie Mullins in a Listed mares' bumper at Market Rasen in January.

Always travelling like a horse two leagues above her rivals, she only needed to be pushed out by Paul Townend to slam The Getaway Star by ten lengths.

Subsequently sold for significant money, she reappeared for David Pipe in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and was sent off 10-1 before finishing only 18th.

The form of that Market Rasen win remains largely untested, but such was the visual impression created it will be disappointing if she doesn't prove far better than her Cheltenham effort suggests, and a Huntingdon mares' maiden hurdle looks a good starting point.

Her victory was achieved on a right-handed track not entirely dissimilar to the Cambridgeshire venue.

Vegas Blue also enjoyed a fine beginning to her career last season when landing bumpers at Bangor and Huntingdon, the latter in Listed company.

She failed to live up to market expectations when a beaten 6-4 favourite in a novice hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, reportedly unsuited by the soft ground. She’ll find underfoot conditions much more in her favour this time.

It will be disappointing if one of the 'big two' fails to capture this prize, with Keyboard Joan looking best of the rest.

This daughter of Jeremy went close on good ground at Stratford in July, but clearly lacks the scope of Panic Attack and Vegas Blue.
Richard Birch

What they say

Denis Quinn, trainer of All Right
She was bought to go hurdling and we'll see if she takes to the job. There are great opportunities for mares and, while I don't think she's another Quevega, if she won a few small races for us we'd be happy.

Lucy Wadham: 'this is just a stepping stone as she's not a hurdler'

Lucy Wadham, trainer of Connie Wilde
She's a four-mile chaser in the making and this is just a stepping stone as she's not a hurdler. She was quite difficult to break in and had a little bit of a regression when she arrived at Ascot for her debut in February. She's a year older and more mature, so hopefully she will be better behaved at Huntingdon.

Neil King, trainer of Keyboard Joan
Trip and track will be ideal, I just hope they don't get too much rain. She disappointed once at Stratford on soft ground but her two runs in bumpers before that were good and her debut over hurdles was fine for a first try. Her jumping should improve a bit for that and she's a nice mare in her own right.

David Pipe, trainer of Panic Attack
She didn't run her race in the Champion Bumper. It was a big ask to move yards with a four-year-old filly so close to Cheltenham and I think you can just put a line through that run. She's schooled nicely at home and has strengthened up an awful lot over the summer. She was a girl last season but has turned into a woman now and we're looking forward to getting her back on the track.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Vegas Blue
She had good form in bumpers but was very disappointing on her debut over hurdles at Kempton. I'm a bit disappointed she's still a maiden over hurdles really, but she's had a good summer break and is in good form.
Reporting by Lewis Porteous

Ultimate Daily - our daily newsletters from Racing Post's experts, exclusive to the inbox of Ultimate Members' Club subscribers. To receive the newsletter subscribe at racingpost.com/members-club