THE DAILY ARSE 27th April 185D Flat Race (The Letting Novices Hurdle)

Older Woman (550-1) with £2.50 in the bank made all the running in some style and none the worse for that was still at the head of affairs turning into the straight. But the gutsy mare was set to have her powers tested further. Teenage Couple owned and managed by both parents appeared to be her biggest danger on the home turn but those exertions told and they ultimately faded in the final strides and she was collared for second close home by an enterprisingly ridden Single Mum (100-1 outsider). The Jonjo O'Neill- trained thoroughbred dashed into a clear lead as they entered the final furlong and kept up the gallop to the line to score by half a head from Teenage Couple (7-4 favourite), with Older Woman seven lengths further away in third. The victory left Older Woman and Teenage Couple's owners reflecting on what might have been as the 19-year-old fell six out when clear and still travelling strongly in the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree earlier this month.
Bookmakers are at odds over Older Woman's prospects for next season, with Ladbrokes offering 700-1 and Boylesports just 4850-1 about her prospects for the World Hurdle.