4.50 2m. 179yds. 21 Declared. Jack De Bromhead Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £105,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €59,084.00 2nd - €22,260.00 3rd - €11,140.00 4th - €5,565.00 5th - €2,793.00 6th - €1,396.00 7th - €693.00 8th - €357.00
Formscan - LUCCIA was firmly in the Supreme mix until being pulled out at the six-day stage, and the decision to keep her to her own sex can be rewarded. Nicky Henderson's five-year-old hasn't put a foot wrong yet, capping an unbeaten bumper campaign with a bloodless Listed win at Sandown, before carrying on in much the same vein at that level over hurdles at Newbury and Exeter. Willie Mullins saddled the first five winners of this race and might be the main stumbling block for the selection, with smart Flat performer Lot of Joy possibly the pick of the Closutton pair on the back of a confidence booster at Fairyhouse. Her stablemate Nikini is 9lb better off with Magical Zoe for a one-length Down Royal defeat, while You Wear It Well was runner-up in a red-hot Challow before taking Grade 2 honours at Sandown. Princess Zoe is a top-class stayer on the level but was made to work hard to share the spoils with Ladybank on her jumping bow at Punchestown.
