EBF/Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Mares' Novices' Handicap Chase (Listed)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 22.3s

Tara Mist¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: R Johnson| T: H D Daly| OR: 127| D

9/2

Two wins from five starts over fences and was by no means disgraced behind a useful sort at Haydock last time. Has to concede weight all round, but should give it her best shot with her stable remaining in good form.

Form: 8-31P15

Socksy^b1,t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 122| D

5/1

Had Tara Mist behind when runner-up at Haydock on latest outing. Only 1lb worse off, seems to be on the upgrade and may be able to confirm the form in first-time blinkers.

Form: 31-1342

The Bay Birch¹¹^{(ex 6)}

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 115

11/4

Experienced for a novice with 14 starts to her name. Seems to be on a steep upward curve, though, and has won her last two races, prompting a massive 28-pounds rise in the weights. That, and this livelier ground, makes her opposable.

Form: 721211

Aunty Ann¹⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 119

7/1

Won for the first time over fences at Worcester in October, but went up to this current rating and was only third at Ludlow the following month. Returns from a break and drops in distance.

Form: 923313

Midnight Target^h,t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Lee Edwards| T: J Groucott| OR: 116| D

7/2

Landed a handicap at Huntingdon in February, but was raised 9lb and found that too much of a burden at Bangor last month. Back down 2lb, but still looks high enough in the weights.

Form: 2F2214

Sheer Poetry^t¹²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: N J Hawke| OR: 115| D

10/1

Won the second of her three chases when trained by the late Richard Woollacott. Returns a from a spell on the sidelines for a new trainer and the market will probably be the best guide to her chances.

Form: 27313P

Pretty Reckless^p1¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 106

18/1

Two wins from four races over fences, but has competed over hurdles on last two starts. Beaten off this mark when last seen over fences at Southwell, so first-time cheekpieces need to eke out improvement.

Form: 311390

Forecasts

The Bay Birch (11/4), Midnight Target (7/2), Tara Mist (9/2), Socksy (5/1), Aunty Ann (7/1), Sheer Poetry (10/1), Pretty Reckless (18/1)

The Bay Birch will be a popular choice as she chases a hat-trick, but she has been winning on much softer ground and has shot up the weights. Pretty Reckless is interesting fitted with cheekpieces and cases can be made for Aunty Ann, Midnight Target and Sheer Poetry, but the recent Haydock race in which SOCKSY and Tara Mist were second and fifth may hold the key. The selection may find further improvement in blinkers and is taken to confirm the form.