olbg.com Mares' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Warfield)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 6m 13.1s

La Bague Au Roi⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N D Fehily| T: W Greatrex| OR: 149

8/11

Talented novice who has progressed in winning her two starts this season, both in Listed company. Has to concede weight all round, but she has earned it given her hurdling record of six wins from eight starts.

Form: 1761-11

Graceful Legend^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 137| C

6/1

Did well to land a mares' handicap at this track two starts ago and was not disgraced off 10lb higher at Cheltenham last time. Takes a rise in class, but should be competitive if she stays this longer trip.

Form: 11-3613

Hitherjacques Lady¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 127

20/1

Won a couple of mares' novice hurdles last February, but has been held in Listed and handicap company since. Looks to have quite a bit to do at the weights.

Form: 2110-33

Midnight Tune^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 125

4/1

Ended a string of placed efforts with victories at Wincanton and Kempton last month. Takes a marked rise in class, but stable could hardly be in better form and she has to be respected.

Form: 422-211

Sainte Ladylime¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 130| D

8/1

Landed a novice chase at Uttoxeter on her reappearance, but unseated at Haydock next time before reverting to hurdles at Ludlow where she finish second of seven. Not out of it on ratings and, unlike one or two of her rivals, stamina is proven.

Form: FU4-1U2

Non-Runners

Dusky Legend⁵⁰

Weight: 11-0| Age: 8

T: A King J: Wayne Hutchinson

Forecasts

La Bague Au Roi (8/11), Dusky Legend (3/1), Midnight Tune (4/1), Graceful Legend (6/1), Sainte Ladylime (8/1), Hitherjacques Lady (20/1)

A trappy contest in which one or two try a longer trip for the first time. Strictly on form, Dusky Legend has every chance of beating LA BAGUE AU ROI<, but the selection proved her stamina for this longer trip last time and that earns her the vote. Midnight Tune is progressive and comes from a stable in top form, while Saint Ladylime stays this distance and is respected. Graceful Legend and Hitherjacques Lady make less appeal, but cannot be ruled out in a race which may be less clear-cut than the betting suggests.