TBA EBF Mares' Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 29.90s

Song Saa^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 126

3/1

Dual hurdle winner who has improved since the application of a tongue-tie over fences, winning emphatically at both Huntingdon and Leicester (2m6f, heavy) last month. The handicapper has walloped her with a 12lb rise but there appears much more to come and a hat-trick doesn't look beyond her.

Form: 0-37P11

Kayfleur⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: H D Daly| OR: 116

3/1

Won twice over hurdles early in her career but her losing run now stretches back to December 2014 and 12 races. Hasn't improved for a switch to the larger obstacles and was looking tired in third when falling behind Timon's Tara at Uttoxeter last time.

Form: 52236-3

Buttercup²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: L Treadwell| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 113

11/4

Clearly has ability but has tended to flatter to deceive, particularly when flopping dismally when well-backed at Wincanton in January. Made amends by staying on stoutly to finally shrug off her maden tag at the 17th attempt over 2m5f in the mud at Towcester last time but a repeat not guaranteed.

Form: 34P45-3

Timon's Tara^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 112

11/2

Inconsistent mare who advertised her ability when hosing up in good style from the front at Uttoxeter (2m6f) in January but she ran abysmally at Ludlow next time and was no match for Song Saa in the mud at Leicester most recently. Only her very best would be good enough today.

Form: F1P342

Kentford Myth²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: J E Moore| T: J W Mullins| OR: 107

16/1

Two-time hurdles winner of limited ability who was a hugely fortunate winner of a two-finisher event at Wincanton on her chasing bow. Struggled in a handicap there next time before unseating at the first behind Song Saa at Leicester. Hard to get over-excited about.

Form: 914U5P-

Arctic Lady^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 107

10/1

Winner in an Irish point-to-point (mares' maiden) on her debut but only moderate form in bumpers and novice hurdle events since, including when presented with a test of stamina at Catterick last time. Should improve for this switch to fences, so worth a second look.

Form: 83365-4

Forecasts

Buttercup (11/4), Kayfleur (3/1), Song Saa (3/1), Timon's Tara (11/2), Arctic Lady (10/1), Kentford Myth (16/1)

Buttercup and Song Saa both come into this race in winning form and it's not hard to be attracted to the claims of either, particularly the latter who was hugely impressive at Leicester last month. That said, Tom George's mare has been clobbered with a 12lb rise which may make her vulnerable to his other runner in the field, ARCTIC LADY who begins life over fences on a low-looking mark considering she has a point-to-point victory under her belt.