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IT IS ALL about the girls at Newbury this afternoon with the Grade Two Mares Novices Handicap Hurdle at 3.15 the big race of the day with a cracking field of 16 set to go to post headed at the top of the weights by Harry Derham progressive Jasmine Bliss.

The six-year-old comes here following two wins at Ludlow and Southwell, the last of which was an all the way demolition of La Pinsonniere. The last named is only 7lbs better off although you could see Nicky Henderson’s charge getting a deal closer as she will probably be better suited to this more galloping track. An opening mark for the top weight of 125 may still undersell her talent and she is rightly respected.

Siog Geal has been well supported in the ante-post markets this week and worthy of a second look as she looks sure to benefit from this marked step up in trip after keeping on well last time out at Market Rasen, when a beaten favourite behind the smart Bluey.

However, the daughter of Malinas is short enough in the betting now at around the 5/1 mark and will probably need every drop of rain that is forecast at the Berkshire track (5-6mm overnight) to step up again.

But the value in this big field with the enhanced place terms put up by the layers surely has to be SCARLET O’TARA. She has the best form yardstick in the race having beaten Listed hurdle winner Royale Margeaux at Ascot over three miles. You have to of course overlook her pulled up effort last time out over three miles on soft ground when she bled, but I think that her shrewd connections would not be running her here unless she was considered in A1 condition.

Some 2lbs higher here under her regular partner Luke Scott, the return to this better surface over two and a half miles with a fast pace guaranteed looks her optimum set up and at around 14/1 she looks fair value if ridden with some restraint.

Of the remainder another Henderson runner, the light weighted Either Way, is open to improvement with this increased test of stamina, while bottom weight The Secret Pearl is sure to be staying on when plenty of these will have cried off down the home stretch.

The other big field betting race on the card is the Handicap Chase at 2.40 with a field of 11 set to go to post. Saint Segal is now 10lbs higher than when winning here over two miles earlier on in the season and following a 102-day break THEATRE MAN has to be of greater consideration. The selection was just two and a half lengths off Ginny’s Destiny last season at Cheltenham, since when he has run below par in two tough races behind Hyland and Jingko Blue.

Since then he has undergone a breathing operation and has been given a real chance by the handicapper off a rating of 132 which if he retains all of his old ability probably makes him the best handicapped entry here alongside Black Gerry. The last named is now fully 16lbs below his last winning mark and this looks a better set-up than three miles on soft ground at Sandown two outings back (faded late) and at Kempton last time out when he was never jumping well from the outset.

Finally, with loads of pace on in this race, also have a look at hold-up merchant Scarface who made an early error over the course and distance in the Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase last time out – this is much easier.

As far as the rest of the card is concerned, BEAU QUALI (2.05) has solid each-way claims in the opening novice handicap hurdle, while GOLDEN SON maybe worth one final chance down in grade in the staying handicap chase which ends the card at 5.35 for Cobden and Nicholls.

There is a big day up at Kelso for the Go North card. The going at the Borders’ track is likely to get a bit softer as we go through the card with light rain forecast into the afternoon. However, it will be decent national hunt ground and the feature Herring Queen Series Final Mares Handicap Hurdle at 3.00 has surprisingly attracted only 11 runners for the prize money on offer.

The two mile event affords a cracking chance to the top weight Surrey Belle and near the bottom of the list BARRABOOL. In selecting the latter I am hoping that Alice Stevens doesn’t ride her too forward in the race and saves a bit up her sleeve for the long run for home.

The daughter of Jack Hobbs did too much out in front at Taunton last time out when brushed aside by Tour Ovalie by six and a half lengths, but is now some 15lbs better off at the weights and she will do for me at a nice each-way price.

Down in grade and with Lewis Saunders taking some 7lbs off his back, THUNDER ROCK is now nicely handicapped off 136 after running in graded contests for his last four starts. He comes here nice and fresh and can take on Nusret (first run for Nicky Henderson) and that grand old stayer West To The Bridge in the Bangor opener at 1.35.

THE WREKIN (3.27) is taken to defy top weight in the staying handicap chase at the North Wales course and HOLOKEA a big player in the staying handicap hurdle stepping back up to three miles under the promising conditional rider Shane Fenelon.

Under the lights at Wolverhampton, I shall be having a decent bet on LUMBERJACK now he is dropped in distance for the opening apprentice handicap due off at 4.18, while GUSTAV GRAVES is certainly worth another chance in the class six sprint at 4.53 with plenty of pace to run at in the closing stages.