A Fitting Finale to the Mares' Series
The Betwright Herring Queen Series reaches its crescendo at Hereford this Saturday, and what a finale we have in store. This £100k pot represents serious money for mares' hurdling, and the 16 declared runners reflect the depth of quality in this division.
I've been covering this series since its inception, and the standard keeps rising. What started as a well-intentioned initiative to boost opportunities for mares has evolved into a genuinely competitive sequence that attracts the best yards in the country. The fact we have Henderson, Nicholls, and Skelton all represented tells you everything about the race's status.
The going description of good to soft, soft in places after vertidrain work is crucial here. Hereford can be a real test when the ground gets testing, and at just shy of two and three-quarter miles, stamina will be at a premium.
The Henderson Duo Lead the Market
Khrisma arrives as the logical favourite, and Nico de Boinville taking the ride speaks volumes about Henderson's confidence. That 128 rating puts her 9lb clear of her nearest rival on paper, but handicaps aren't run on paper.
What impresses me about this mare is her consistency at this level. She's proven at the distance - that form flag doesn't lie - and Henderson's mares often peak around this time of year. The 12-0 burden is substantial, but class horses carry weight, and she's got bags of it.
Stablemate Diamonds Galore offers an interesting alternative at a much more manageable mark. David Bass knows her well, and the 10-13 allocation looks fair for a mare who's been running consistently without quite getting her head in front. Sometimes that elusive win comes in the biggest pot of the season.
Nicholls and Skelton Bring Serious Threats
Beauty In The Park represents the Nicholls battalion, and you ignore Ditcheat runners in big handicaps at your peril. Gavin Sheehan has been riding with real confidence lately, and this mare's distance-winning form gives her a solid foundation here.
The 11-0 weight looks workable, and crucially, she's raced without headgear. That suggests she's a straightforward ride who won't find the hustle and bustle of a big field problematic. Nicholls has been patient with this one, and patience usually pays dividends with his string.
Dan Skelton saddles two, but First Candidate catches my eye more than Belle Le Grand. The tongue tie goes on for the first time, which often signals a trainer thinks he's found the key to unlocking improvement. At 10-10, she's feasibly weighted if that gear change works.
Value Lurks in the Middle Order
Anariza for Tom Ellis looks overpriced at current odds. Jack Andrews has been riding with real purpose this season, and this mare's distance form is solid. The 10-13 mark gives her every chance, and Ellis doesn't travel horses lightly to big pots.
I also have time for Our Peggy from the Joe Tizzard stable. Brendan Powell knows how to get a tune out of a mare on testing ground, and the 10-7 allocation looks generous for a horse who's been running well in similar company.
The ground will suit - Tizzard's string generally handle cut in the ground well - and she's another who's proven at this trip. Sometimes the value lies with the trainers who don't grab the headlines but consistently place their horses to advantage.
Course and Distance Considerations
Hereford's unique character will play a significant role here. It's a sharp, undulating track that rewards horses who can quicken and stay. The extended two-mile-five trip is a proper test, especially if the ground rides as testing as it reads.
The vertidrain work suggests the course will ride better than the description indicates, but I'd still want a horse with proven stamina reserves. This isn't a race for speed merchants or horses who need everything to fall right.
The full Hereford racecard shows this as the feature race, and rightly so. The prize money reflects the quality, and I expect a truly run race that will test every aspect of these mares' abilities.
Who is the value pick for the Herring Queen Final?
While Khrisma deserves favouritism, the weight burden in testing conditions makes her vulnerable. Beauty In The Park offers solid each-way value with proven course and distance form, while Anariza represents excellent value for those seeking a bigger price.
Will the going favour any particular runners?
The testing conditions will suit horses with proven stamina and those who handle cut in the ground. Runners like Our Peggy and Beauty In The Park have form on similar surfaces, while the Henderson pair should handle any ground conditions.
What makes this such a competitive renewal?
The depth of quality from top to bottom is remarkable. With ratings spanning from 128 down to 104, and proven distance winners throughout the field, this represents one of the strongest mares' handicaps of the season. The prize money has attracted genuine quality rather than making up the numbers.
The Verdict
This is a cracking puzzle that could go several ways. Khrisma sets the standard but faces a stiff task from the front of the weights. I'm drawn to Beauty In The Park as the selection - she has the class, the conditions suit, and Sheehan is riding with real confidence.
For the value seekers, Anariza each-way makes plenty of appeal at bigger odds. She's proven at the trip, handles the ground, and represents a yard that knows how to place their horses.
Whatever happens, we're in for a treat. The Herring Queen Final has established itself as a proper championship race for mares, and this renewal looks set to live up to that billing.
