15:25 Bangor

Saturday 25 March 2017

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Broxton Gates Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 6m 20.9s

Cresswell Breeze^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: David Noonan⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 130

9/4

Takes a big drop in grade here after tackling Grade 1's on her last three starts, although has been far from disgraced in any of them, and will find likely conditions ideal here. Back on same mark as when narrowly beaten in valuable Punchestown handicap last year and holds a solid chance here.

Form: 352529

Millicent Silver^v²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 123

6/1

This trip looks an absolute minimum for her, as she finished with a rattle on her latest start at Exeter, going down in a photo but that was over a marathon trip and with yard still struggling for winners, is passed over on this occasion.

Form: BP323P

Land Of Vic²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: R T Dunne| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 121

17/2

Inconsistent, but did pop up in a little race at Ludlow in January, coming with a strong run after the last to deny Aces And Eights by a head, but that was over half a mile shorter and she reverted to type latest when looking a reluctant at Warwick and tailing herself off. Risky.

Form: 801PP6-

Conquer Gold⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 120

3/1

Has slowly been refinding her form this winter, and second to Two Smokin Barrels at Kelso in January reads well, given the winner is a progressive sort. Nothing wrong with her second to another improver in Actinpieces latest and with likely conditions ideal, should go close here.

Form: 21/221-0

Emerald Rose^p¹⁰⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: M D Grant| T: J S Smith| OR: 119

20/1

Handicapper finally gave her a chance at Market Rasen last November and she duly took it, winning going away (3m) but found the company too much for her on her latest start, well beaten at Cheltenham in December. Off since but has won fresh, so not totally discounted.

Form: 631844-

Queen Spud^p¹⁰⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Jake Greenall| T: H D Daly| OR: 114

12/1

Not the biggest but plenty of heart, as she showed when winning back-to-back chases at Fakenham in the Autumn. Not disgraced at Cheltenham latest (finished well in front of Emerald Rose) but never looked like winning either, and although ground likely to be ideal, handicapper looks in charge now.

Form: 611365-

Kassis²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: H Cobden| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 107

9/2

Very highly tried (but not disgraced) on latest two starts, and will find the return to handicap company a blessing. Ground conditions likely to be spot on for her but the big question is whether her stamina will last out, as her wins have come at 2m4½f and shorter. Not out of it if it does.

Form: 548-141

Cowslip^p²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 106

25/1

Only moderate on the flat but a revelation once switched to hurdles, rated in the 120's at her peak. Easily excused latest effort over a trip too short and in ground too deep for her, but does need to prove that she's as effective over fences as hurdles.

Form: 64555P-

Forecasts

Cresswell Breeze (9/4), Conquer Gold (3/1), Kassis (9/2), Millicent Silver (6/1), Land Of Vic (17/2), Queen Spud (12/1), Emerald Rose (20/1), Cowslip (25/1)

A few of these have a question or two to answer - suitability of the trip for Millicent Silver and Kassis, whether fences will really suit (Cowslip) and general wellbeing( Land Of Vic). In the circumstances, the safest option looks to be the improving CONQUER GOLD, who looks ready to strike after a couple of decent efforts against improving horses. Cresswell Breeze will find this easier than some of the tasks she's faced lately, and can pick up some prizemoney along with Queen Spud, , for whom the likely drying ground is a plus.