Sandown Listed Mares Hurdle Guide 2023

Louis Moir | @LouisMoir99

Sandown - January 07 2023
Sandown 12:40
3
Charlie Hammond

Ballycallan Fame

J: Charlie Hammond
T: Nick Kent
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-4
OR: 118
Days: 12

The outsider of this five runner field who looks to have a very slim chance of threatening rivals on this occasion. This will be a massive step up in Class for the oldest horse in the race and she looks set for a tough afternoon ahead.

She has only won once over hurdles in five starts and even that was a shock victory as she was went off at huge odds of 125/1 that day.

The majority of her races have been ran in heavy ground and conditions looks to be more on the softer side here.

Has not shown much in Class 3 or Class 4 company and seems a tough horse to get right as she has fallen and been pulled up in a few runs last year. One that can be easily dismissed, but jockey is in good form.

Sandown - January 07 2023
Sandown 12:40
1
Aidan Coleman

Martello Sky

J: Aidan Coleman
T: Lucy Wadham
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-8
OR: 140
Days: 47

Jockey and trainer won this race last year with Martello Sky and will be hoping for a repeat of that performance that the mare put in last campaign.

The now 7 year old beat Anythingforlove and stayed on strongly so will know how to get her head in front again in this contest for what would be the second year in a row. Lucy Wadham’s grey has notched up two seconds in her last two runs both of which came in Class 1 company.

She was well beaten last time out by Miranda who finished 11 lengths in front of her 47 days ago, but that was over 3m1f so the step down in trip here will certainly suit Martello Sky.

Has been very much a consistent sort of type in recent runs so will most likely give it her best shot again here and is very much fancied to go close again in this year’s renewal of the Listed Mares Hurdle.

Sandown - January 07 2023
Sandown 12:40
4
Tom Scudamore

Branson Missouri

J: Tom Scudamore
T: Shaun Lycett
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-4
OR: 113
Days: 53

Branson Missouri left the Harry Dunlop stable to join Shaun Lycett last year and since then the horse has definitely improved.

She made it 2-2 at Worcester over 2m4f when winning a 16 runner handicap hurdle beating Iberio by a whopping 22 lengths.

Both of these wins came in different ground conditions so she is a versatile sort. She has proved that the distance is not a worry, but lacks experience at the higher level.

Steps up to Class 1 company for the very first time and looks no match for a couple in here who look superior to her.Hard to fancy and her better days may come again in weaker races.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
07/01/23SAN20Sft11-44
15/11/22LIN19.5Sft11-42
27/10/22WOR20Sft10-91
31/08/22WOR20Gd10-111
23/08/22WOR23Gd11-123
Sandown - January 07 2023
Sandown 12:40
2
Jonathan Burke

Love Envoi

J: Jonathan Burke
T: Harry Fry
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-7
OR: 144
Days: 35

Love Envoi has been a superb horse for trainer Harry Fry as the 7 year old mare has won seven of her eight career starts.

She was only beaten on one start which came at Fairyhouse last April where the talented Willie Mullins mare Brandy Love beat her by 8 lengths.

She is very much ground versatile as she has won where conditions have been either good or quite heavy so whatever ground she faces here will not be a concern.

This very classy daughter of Westerner is a two time Grade 2 winner, this makes her the best horse in the race and she will be very hard to beat if continuing in this rich vein of form.

Was victorious on last start at this course beating Playful Saint who has since gone on to win very impressively so the form looks rock solid.

Will likely go off as the odds on favourite and will look to make it eight wins in what would be nine career starts. Trainer in good form too.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
29/04/23PUN19Gd/Y11-76
14/03/23CHL20Sft11-52
07/01/23SAN20Sft11-71
03/12/22SAN16Sft11-101
17/04/22FAI20.5Y11-52
Sandown - January 07 2023
Sandown 12:40
5
Charlie Deutsch

Fautinette

J: Charlie Deutsch
T: Venetia Williams
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 11-4
OR: 132
Days: 275

Fautinette was a French recruit for the Venetia Williams yard and was thrown straight into Grade 1 company when being pulled up in last year’s Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree.

They must think a lot of this horse so she remains with potential, but this race looks hard for her to win especially as she has not been seen on the racecourse for almost 300 days.

Will maybe want conditions more on the softer side, but remains unexposed and rates an interesting runner for this trainer.

Would be very impressive if she was to win this on what would be her seasonal reappearance.Could well rate a danger to all and is certainly not ruled out here, should be there or thereabouts.