EBF/TBA Mares' Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 6m 21.3s

Sparkling River⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Dave Crosse| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 124

5/2

All three career victories have come at Warwick including her latest last month. Suited to forcing tactics, but may have a contested lead with Marienstar in the lineup.

Form: 241-714

Timeforwest¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Killian Moore⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 119

5/1

Supported for a better race than this at Cheltenham last month but well beaten last time. All three wins have come on better ground than this and she may be one for the spring.

Form: 16-65B8

Kayfleur³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly| OR: 115| BF

9/4

Picked up her first race in three years when beating one other finisher in a poor event at Fakenham. Ran well at Towcester last time when she appeared more at home going right-handed.

Form: 3F24-12

Secret Door¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 115

6/1

Has not returned this term in the form she was showing back in the spring. Did not look a natural on first run over fences last time, but stable going well and would be well handicapped if market indicates better is expected.

Form: 1-33958

Marienstar^t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Teal⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 113

8/1

Front-running hurdler makes her chase debut. Handles the conditions and has gone well here previously. Known to burst blood vessels and that may explain her lack of consistency. On a good mark if taking to larger obstacles and remaining sound.

Form: 6322P4

Grace Tara^t1³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: R T Dunne| T: M Scudamore| OR: 110

8/1

Finished 30L behind Sparkling River on return when lack of a run was a factor. Did not quite see out 3m last time, but on a handy mark now with conditions looking ideal.

Form: 2231-54

Forecasts

Kayfleur (9/4), Sparkling River (5/2), Timeforwest (5/1), Secret Door (6/1), Marienstar (8/1), Grace Tara (8/1)

No single runner stands out with Kayfleur undoubtedly better going right-handed and Secret Door disappointing this term. Sparkling River is a good jumper when allowed to dictate from the front, although she faces competition up front from Marienstar and GRACE TARA. The latter proved herself a fair novice hurdler last term, particularly when conditions were as testing as they are here. She should be fitter after two runs this term and looks set to run a big race off bottom weight in a race which could be attritional.