Can topweight Miranda make her class tell on big drop in grade?
Alfa Aggregates Ltd Mares' Handicap Hurdle | 2m | 3yo+ | RTV
Miranda will be the one to beat and her trainer Paul Nicholls had another super Saturday at Sandown, landing a big-race treble spearheaded by Greaneteen's Tingle Creek.
Miranda was last seen in a Listed mares' hurdle at Wetherby and this is a big drop in grade. However, she has the weight to prove it, so it will be interesting to see if she can make her class tell.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway
What they say
Paul Nicholls, trainer of Miranda
She's got lots of weight and two miles is probably a minimum, but there's plenty of rain forecast and the more that falls, the better it will suit her. She ran well in a Listed race last time and probably needed it, and the more this race is a test of stamina, the better for her.
Oliver Sherwood, trainer of Puffin Bay
We like her, but I'm probably dipping my toe in a bit deep as she's 5lb out of the handicap. This will be her last run before a mid-season break and I think she's improving, although when she won last time it was, I reckon, the first time I've ever had a horse win and then get dropped by the handicapper, which was a bit of a googly.
Tom Symonds, trainer of Marta Des Mottes
We were really happy with her first run back last month. It was difficult for her last season and she was highly tried. We probably ran her in the wrong races, but what it did was bring her down in the handicap to a more workable mark. The best horse in the race is Miranda and if she's on her A game she'll win, but there's good prize-money and it's the kind of track my filly will like. Any rain would suit her.
Reporting by James Burn
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