Starsports Daily Specials Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 7m 4.1s

Braventara⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 117

6/4

Easy winner of a three-runner 3m2f Warwick novices' hurdle last season. Suffered two heavy falls later that term, but jumped better on return last month and clearly has the stamina for a test such as this.

Form: 317FF-3

Tambura¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Zac Baker⁽⁵⁾| T: G C Maundrell| OR: 115| D

13/2

Last win came 15 months ago off a 6lb higher mark. Poor effort last time though when conditions seemed suitable. Reunited with the rider who has partnered her to each of her five victories and no surprise if she bounced back.

Form: 5P-4455

Dark Aster^h²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: M G Nolan| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 114

7/2

Placed in a couple of point-to-points and her pedigree suggests she will have little difficulty in staying this far. Attractively weighted for handicap debut if latest form is taken at face value.

Form: 32-543

Lagavara³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 111

14/1

Narrow winner at Leicester and then pulled up during a period when many of the yard's horses were misfiring. Current mark looks even more demanding against more attractively weighted rivals.

Form: 304-31P

Midnight Glory⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 110| BF

2/1

Sole success came over an extended 2m4f at Newbury (soft) in February. Appeared not to stay this far last time and that must be a concern given the conditions she will face here.

Form: 153-P44

Forecasts

Braventara (6/4), Midnight Glory (2/1), Dark Aster (7/2), Tambura (13/2), Lagavara (14/1)

Lagavara looks the least attractively weighted of these and Midnight Glory is a doubtful stayer. Tambura has conditions to suit and can bounce back from a poor performance with Zac Baker back on board. Dark Aster is lightly raced and open to improvement now handicapping. She is feared but preference is for BRAVENTARA who shaped well on her stable debut last month and has an abundance of stamina.