ABF The Soldiers Charity Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 3m 55.40s

Miss Night Owl²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: C Gethings⁽³⁾| T: T R George| OR: 129| D

4/1

Showed a game attitude to complete her hat-trick before finding the step up to Listed company too much last time. Suited to forcing tactics on sharp tracks and good ground so plenty in her favour this time.

Form: 2611-17

Apache Song⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: T E Whelan| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 119

3/1

Took advantage of a good tactical ride to land a slowly run race last time. The second and third have won since, but the form may flatter her and she is not so well handicapped judged on previous efforts.

Form: 23-1

Undefined Beauty²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 117| D

6/4

Another horse to be rejuvenated since joining this handler. Comfortably beat Stepover on penultimate start and escaped a penalty for her next start when equally impressive. Up 10lb now but looks set to have the race run to suit.

Form: 700211

Stepover^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 108| BF| D

7/2

In good form lately and up to a career high mark having improved since her latest victory. Closely matched with Undefined Beauty on running at Southwell a month ago and an obvious threat.

Form: 61-0122

Eastern Lady^h,t²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: R J Price| OR: 89

33/1

Modest middle-distance handicapper on the Flat who has run as well as could be expected at the weights in three races over hurdles. Makes handicap debut in this discipline but mark probably needs to drop a bit further.

Form: 844

Forecasts

Undefined Beauty (6/4), Apache Song (3/1), Stepover (7/2), Miss Night Owl (4/1), Eastern Lady (33/1)

Undefined Beauty is sure to be a warm order as she goes for the hat-trick, but a 10lb rise in the weights will make this harder. Stepover is closely matched with her on running at Southwell a month ago and she has gone well again since. Both look set to give good accounts but MISS NIGHT OWL makes more appeal. Tom George's mare has shown she is well suited to quick conditions and this track suits her positive style. She was out of her depth in Listed company last time, but had a subsequent Ascot winner behind in third on her penultimate start. That effort suggests she is reasonably weighted here and you cannot say that about her rivals.