Grosvenor Shopping Centre/EBF Breeders' Series Fillies' Handicap

Off time: 19:10 | Winning time: 2m 15.18s

(4)

Empress Ali⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: A Mullen| T: T P Tate| OR: 90| CD

5/1

Ended last season in good style taking a Pontefract handicap over this trip on heavy ground so any rain that might fall will be no problem and is a C&D winner on soft ground. Returned this year with a creditable effort at Ripon over 1m1f that may well bring her on although she has never won off a mark this high.

Form: 94531-5

(5)

Livella Fella²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S M Levey| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 77| D

12/1

Took a while to get going this year but has hit form nicely over the past few runs with a win at Doncaster (made all) being the best of them. Just failed to follow up that run under a penalty at Haydock over 1m2f and although her mark is pushing above her previous ceiling now she should still be competitive.

Form: 466212

(3)

Titi Makfi⁹^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 82

7/4

One of two progressive three-year-olds in the field who completed a hat-trick last time out at Hamilton when she made most of the running to score off a mark of 82. Life is about to become tougher for her off this mark but the rise of 6lb for her last win was fair although she may face competition for the lead here from one or two others.

Form: 234-111

(2)

White Chocolate²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: L P Keniry| T: D M Simcock| OR: 85| D

1/1

Another three-year-old who has been improving at a rate of knots and like Titi Makfi comes here looking for a four-timer having won a maiden and two handicaps although the maiden win did come last year. Yet to taste defeat in a handicap and indeed since her debut and she overcame a slow pace last time to win going away showing a fine turn of foot. She looks a versatile sort with more improvement to come although she will need a career best here off a mark of 85.

Form: 21-11

Non-Runners

(1)

Lady Perignon²⁸⁹

Weight: 9-4| Age: 4

T: A M Balding J: Non Runner

Forecasts

White Chocolate (1/1), Titi Makfi (7/4), Empress Ali (5/1), Lady Perignon (10/1), Livella Fella (12/1)

Just a small field goes to post but it should be an interesting race nonetheless with the two improving three-year olds holding sway although it’s hard to rule out any of the five totally. Titi Makfi may not get things her own way on the front end this time with competition from Livella Fella likely. Empress Ali is solid enough but her mark looks high enough and of the older horses Lady Perignon is preferred especially with Andrew Balding’s good record around here with his handicappers. WHITE CHOCOLATE is bidding for a four-timer and her tactical versatility may well stand her in good stead with her form just looking to have a little more substance than her fellow three-year-old.