15:00 Warwick

Friday 23 February 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3016:0516:4017:10

Faller Refunds At 188Bet Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 27.60s

Sparkling River²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Dave Crosse| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 127| C| D

7/2

Three times course winner and well suited to forcing tactics. She can really impress with her jumping down the back line here and she is weighted to give another good account if her stamina holds out over this longer trip.

Form: 41-7141

Still Believing⁶⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 124| D

33/1

Twice a winner over fences but she has been poor on her last four runs in this discipline. They include three races at Ludlow where she has a solid record and with the stable going through a quiet spell she is easily opposed.

Form: P1177P

Blameitalonmyroots^p³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 123| D

4/1

The form of February's win at Kempton looked dubious and it was no surprise to see her progress halted until the handicapper showed some leniency last time. The fitting of cheekpieces helped make a difference and her yard are in form.

Form: P14-672

Socksy^t⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 122

3/1

Gutsy competitor who has done nothing but improve since sent chasing. Guaranteed to stay and handle the conditions for a stable that are 5-14 in past two weeks. Will appreciate the lead from Sparkling River and it will take a tough mare to beat her.

Form: 6131-13

Ruby Yeats^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington| OR: 120

5/1

Runner-up at Taunton on chase debut when she showed a tendency to jump left. Should be happier around here, but a considerably longer trip is a doubt along with her lack of chasing experience.

Form: P120-92

Marienstar^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Teal⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 112| DWS

8/1

Looks held by Sparkling River on latest Uttoxeter form. However, that was her chase debut and her stamina is proven at this trip. Has undergone wind surgery since, but her lack of chase experience could find her out in this company.

Form: 322P43

Phoeniciana¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: L Wadham| OR: 112

11/1

11-race maiden who made a pleasing debut over fences earlier this month over an inadequate trip. This is more suitable, however she faces sterner opposition with more chasing experience. Stable are in form and took this last year.

Form: 24-5P32

Sheneededtherun^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: J Kington⁽³⁾| T: M Scudamore| OR: 107| D

14/1

Was pulled up behind Sparkling River here in November, but she has improved greatly since being fitted with a tongue-tie. Stays well and should go close off her low weight.

Form: 8P5P12

Forecasts

Socksy (3/1), Sparkling River (7/2), Blameitalonmyroots (4/1), Ruby Yeats (5/1), Marienstar (8/1), Phoeniciana (11/1), Sheneededtherun (14/1), Still Believing (33/1)

There is a mix of experienced chasers and those who have had just one or two runs over fences. The presence of the front-running Sparkling River will ask serious questions of the novices, particularly down the back straight where the five fences present a real test. The topweight excels around here, but she needs to prove she stays this trip. It is possible she may set this up nicely for SOCKSY who seeks a fifth win and a second over fences. She has jumped like a handicapper since sent chasing and she is built more like a gelding than a mare. There is potentially a lot more to come from her and she is selected to come out on top. Sheneededtherun has conditions to suit and could make the most of her low weight, whilst Ruby Yeats and Phoeniciana have claims on their hurdling form if their jumping survives the pressure of the pace Sparkling River will set.