The next Epatante? Marie's Rock out to emulate stablemate in Gerry Feilden

2.25 Newbury
Ladbrokes Committed To Safer Gambling Intermediate Hurdle (registered as the Gerry Feilden) (Listed) | 2m½f | 4yo+ | RTV/ITV

Races at Newbury are often run at a steady pace and develop into sprints up the straight, especially in two-mile hurdles. As shown by this race's roll of honour, this often lends itself to speedier types.

With the exceptions of L'Ami Serge (2014) and Sternrubin (2015), who possessed a wicked cruising speed that they showcased in subsequent outings, the last ten winners had a Flat or bumper win.

On that evidence, Botox Has, Pisgah Pike and Millers Bank must be treated with caution. The former ranks as a two-and-a-half-mile prospect, while the latter pair are bred for further and failed to strike in bumpers.

The remaining six runners are headed by the Nicky Henderson-trained Marie's Rock, who may have too much exuberance for her own good given how this may play out as she raced keenly in her two starts over hurdles last year.

However, for all that she'd be best suited by a true gallop, the Middleham Park-owned mare quickened best in a sprint at Haydock on her penultimate start and her jumping was at its best when the pressure was turned up.

It's also worth noting that only two mares have won this race since 2009 and both were trained by Henderson, who is also represented by Floressa this time. It's not hard to ascertain the Lambourn maestro believes this is a great spot to take on the boys.

Thyme White: scored at Chepstow last timeCredit: Bill Selwyn/Pool

On official ratings, the judge will be required to split a number of these at the finish, but the handicapper may be underestimating the ability of four-year-old Thyme White, who produced a career-best on his return at Chepstow when the hood was taken off.

Given that race was run at a fair clip on quick ground, Thyme White's closing three sectionals, headlined by a quickening two furlong-one furlong 12.02 second split, were impressive and Harry Cobden certainly hadn't gone for everything. If he improves, he could prove tough to hold, especially given his jumping prowess.
Analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Thyme White
I didn’t run him at Cheltenham because the ground was so bad. He won on good ground at Chepstow. It’s a tough race for a four-year-old, but I’m expecting a good run.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Milkwood
He came out of his last race very well and we're very happy with him. This flat track should suit him. The form of the Welsh Champion Hurdle looks good and we're hoping he can learn from the experience. He's still relatively inexperienced. Better ground could bring out more improvement.

Josh Moore, rider of Botox Has
He's in good form. It's the next stepping stone for him, but he's got a big task carrying top weight in a handicap. We're hopeful of a big run and it will tell us where to point him for the rest of the season.

Botox Has: carries top weight for Gary MooreCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Floressa and Marie's Rock
I like them both. They are two good mares who were nearly at the top of the pile of the mares' novice hurdle division last season. They're taking on geldings now, but are in good order. Marie's Rock got a little injury just before the Cheltenham Festival otherwise I think we'd have fancied her in the mares' novice hurdle, so we'll see, while we'll learn from this if Floressa needs a bit further.

Tom Lacey, trainer of Sebastopol
He's in good order. He had a good summer and came back very late, but the weather gods have been kind to us and he's going to get some nice ground. He'll should love Newbury.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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