15:05 Wincanton

Wednesday 28 March 2018

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:4517:15

Smarkets Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 4m 15.75s

Foxy Act¹⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Page Fuller⁽⁵⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 120

16/1

Not troubled to win three novice hurdles on sound surfaces, but first venture into handicap company saw her pulled up off 2lb lower. First outing since October might be needed and soft ground may not be ideal.

Form: 12117P

Litterale Ci⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss A B O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 120

7/4

Good effort to win a lady amateur riders' handicap under today's jockey at Ludlow in December and may have found heavy ground against her when well beaten in a better race at Cheltenham last time. That display can be forgiven.

Form: 242-419

Rouergate¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 118

11/2

Justified favouritism in a mares' novices' hurdle at Market Rasen and it was no surprise to see her struggle in much hotter company at the Cheltenham Festival. First run in a handicap and looks to be on a fair mark.

Form: 2-53F19

Apache Song⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: T E Whelan| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 118

10/1

Won a Market Rasen mares' novices' hurdle in September and has not been disgraced in handicap company since. Brought down last time and is worth a second look.

Form: 23-126B

She's Gina¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J McGrath| T: J W Mullins| OR: 110

9/2

Off the mark over hurdles in a novice event at Lingfield in January and was in touch when falling on her handicap debut at Fontwell recently. Acts with give in the ground and can get involved.

Form: 0571F

Hope's Wishes^p1¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Dave Crosse| T: F Brennan| OR: 105| CD

8/1

Four wins from 23 runs over timber, but has been well held on recent starts. Handicapper has relented a little, but others looks stronger and more progressive.

Form: 0-52462

Shee's Lucky⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 99

6/1

Fair level of ability in two starts over hurdles. Makes her handicap debut in a tough race, but has to be respected in receipt of weight from all but one of her rivals.

Form: 22

Brean Golf Birdie^h⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: C J Gray| OR: 78

66/1

Only one placing over hurdles after 11 attempts. Runs from 16lb out of the handicap and is impossible to fancy.

Form: 389467

Forecasts

Litterale Ci (7/4), She's Gina (9/2), Rouergate (11/2), Shee's Lucky (6/1), Hope's Wishes (8/1), Apache Song (10/1), Foxy Act (16/1), Brean Golf Birdie (66/1)

A competitive mares' handicap hurdle in which only Brean Golf Birdie can be ruled out with any confidence. Litterale Ci is reunited with her winning jockey from Ludlow and is respected, while the likes of Apache Song, She's Gina, Hope's Wishes and Shee's Lucky have all done enough to be worthy of support. However, the choice is ROUERGATE, who had no chance in a high-class contest at the Cheltenham Festival, but had previously won well at Market Rasen. Foxy Act may prefer better ground.