'She's a different horse now to when she won at Cheltenham - I'm optimistic'

Saturday: 3.00 Sandown
British Stallion Studs EBF Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed) | 2m | 4-6yo fillies and mares | ITV4/RTV

Mullenbeg was one of the shortest-priced British contenders for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper next week but Milton Harris spied a more winnable opportunity in this Listed mares' bumper.

She has proved her stamina over 2m1f up the Cheltenham hill and the forecast rain at Sandown will present no issues as she has winning form on soft ground.

While the decision to run here could pay dividends, she faces a number of interesting opponents.

Flirtatious Girl was fourth to Mullenbeg at Cheltenham but is entitled to put up a sterner resistance on 4lb better terms in a race she won last year.

The Kim Bailey-trained six-year-old has winning form on good and soft going and was running for the first time in 322 days. She shaped as if needing it and should be spot-on now.

Fairy Gem was two positions ahead of Flirtatious Girl and is also worth a mention. There is talent there, although she might require a stronger test of stamina over a longer trip.

Hidden Beauty went off a shorter price than the three aforementioned fillies in that Cheltenham bumper but something seemed amiss as she stopped quickly and Paddy Brennan pulled her up.

She achieved more on Racing Post Ratings relative to Mullenbeg on their respective debuts and if she has overcome whatever hindered her last time she is a big player.

With several in the market having masses to find, Nifty Getaway is the most interesting outsider for Archie Watson.

The trainer is 3-9 in bumpers this season, with a further four places, and Nifty Getaway impressed when winning comfortably on heavy at Ayr in February. She will not be caught out for a lack of stamina.

Willie Mullins' decision to run Eabha Grace is interesting, but she must bounce back from a disappointing run at the Dublin Racing Festival and might not appreciate any ease in the ground.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

'Mullenbeg is a different horse now'

Milton Harris has the enjoyable problem of having to juggle two star bumper performers and despite being a winner at Cheltenham, Mullenbeg runs here instead of in the Champion Bumper next week.

Harris, who will be represented by Rosie Redrum in Wednesday's race, explained: "Mullenbeg is 6-4 to win tomorrow and 16-1 for Cheltenham so this makes sense and her long-term target is Aintree."

The strong-travelling five-year-old stamped her class on the field in Listed company last time, winning by five and a half lengths, but her trainer thinks she has improved again since.

"She's a different horse now to when she went to Cheltenham," he said. "She's working much better than she's ever worked. I'd be very optimistic. She's in the best form we've had her. I'd suggest we'd finish third or fourth at Cheltenham and that should be enough to win this."

What they say

Neil King, trainer of Malina Jamila
She's done nothing wrong and goes there in lovely form. She won't mind any cut in the ground. She's one of three in the race with a penalty, but she's earned it.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Eabha Grace
It's going to be a tough ask for her. If she was third that would be a very good day's work, and a bit of black type.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Hidden Beauty
She had a fibrillating heart at Cheltenham. Hopefully we've got that right and fingers crossed you'll see the best of her. We think she's a very good mare.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Meetuatnine
We're obviously biting off a big lump of the cherry but why not have a go? She's got a bit of experience, she's a tough horse and is working nicely.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Luccia
She's in good form and won very well on her only start. She's got a nice bit of speed, she gets a nice bit of weight off of them as she's only a four-year-old. She's got quite a speedy pedigree. It's a very competitive race. I think she's a good filly – she'll need to be.
Reporting by Maddy Playle

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