Roger Martin's 70th Celebration (Eckington Bridge) Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:17 | Winning time: 4m 24.7s

Castafiore^p,h²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 120| D

3/1

In good form, winning at Doncaster and then losing nothing in defeat to course specialist Cougar Kid at Hereford latest. Doubt is this deep ground, as her best seems to come on quicker, but in such rude health, can't be discounted.

Form: 6P-5312

Potters Midnight¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham| OR: 117| D

9/2

Has some good efforts against useful sorts to her name, lightly raced for her age and came good at Fakenham last time when winning with a bit in hand. May just be a slow learner so could have more to come, and with no ground issues, looks a player.

Form: 453/431

Hope's Wishes¹⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: T Dowling⁽⁵⁾| T: F Brennan| OR: 111| D

9/1

Wins her share but also has her own ideas about the game at times, ran well enough here when last out in July but not seen since and that, coupled with this trip which looks on the short side for her, mean it's not hard to look elsewhere today.

Form: 3230-52

Georgian Firebird⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: P J Brennan| T: B Leavy| OR: 102| D

17/2

Made all to win at Towcester back in 2016 but only seen once since then when falling at Wetherby in December. Has to be slight question mark about her wellbeing at present and it may pay to look elsewhere for the winner.

Form: 228U1/F

Siempre Amigos²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Alain Cawley| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 102

9/1

Hasn't shown much so far although did run a little better than finishing position suggests at Punchestown last time, and Irish raiders often do well at this track. Needs a market check if nothing else.

Form: 9806

Ejayteekay¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: T J O'Brien| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 100

2/1

From the same yard as Siempre Amigos, and her form claims would appear more obvious after her close fourth at Punchestown last time. Travelled well there and with ground/trip no problem, looks one of the more likely candidates.

Form: 0794

Llantara^t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: R P McLernon| T: T Symonds| OR: 98

25/1

Second on handicap debut at Chepstow last November but hasn't repeated that effort in two subsequent starts. Conditions fine but needs to bounce back to her best form to hold a chance, and that may be unlikely.

Form: 73P-270

Forecasts

Ejayteekay (2/1), Castafiore (3/1), Potters Midnight (9/2), Georgian Firebird (17/2), Hope's Wishes (9/1), Siempre Amigos (9/1), Llantara (25/1)

Only a small field but this should be run at a solid pace, and that might help EJAYTEEKAY to pinch it late on. She put in a much better effort last time out and if taking another step forward, holds a decent chance. Potters Midnight is getting the message now and can take the silver medal, with Castafiore best of the rest.