Fourpenny Plate Mares' Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 5m 8.6s

Marienstar^t⁹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 115| D

1/1

Presented with an easy opening to make all at Worcester on her seasonal return in October and obliged in good style. Followed up in similar fashion at Kempton last month and looks an obvious candidate despite carrying 7lb extra here. Sound claims.

Form: 3246-11

Black Tulip⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly| OR: 119| C

4/1

Won over hurdles at this course and made fair progress in that sphere. Wasn't disgraced on debut over fences on her return to action last month and entitled to have come on for the run. One to consider.

Form: 41083-3

Blackdown Hills²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: J W Mullins| OR: 115| D

8/1

Winner of a couple of modest races over hurdles last term but not so effective on seasonal return at Worcester last month. The mare has a bit to prove now she switches to fences on that evidence and is probably best watched.

Form: 4/42-119

Pulling Power^t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 114

5/1

Put in a dominant display to get the better of an odds-on favourite over fences at Uttoxeter at the start of this month and highly respected after that run. Up 5lb but very likely there's a good bit more to come. Has to be considered at this level.

Form: UP3/P-51

Drops Of Jupitor²¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: L P Aspell| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 112

10/1

Made progress winning a bumper and couple of races over hurdles. Has a bit to prove as she's not been seen out since she was pulled up at Exeter in April and has yet to jump a regulation fence in public. The small field can help on chasing debut.

Form: 21664P-

Kilcara⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁷⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 110

16/1

Only made modest progress over hurdles and needs to take a considerable step forward now she switches to fences. Fit from a couple of recent spins but still has plenty to prove.

Form: P-64043

Forecasts

Marienstar (1/1), Black Tulip (4/1), Pulling Power (5/1), Blackdown Hills (8/1), Drops Of Jupitor (10/1), Kilcara (16/1)

Entirely possible that MARLENSTAR has been found an ideal opportunity to expand on her unbeaten status over fences; she looks very much the one to beat despite carrying a 7lb penalty for her win at Kempton. As a front-runner, Neil King's mare can set the tempo as she pleases and may have too many guns for the likes of Black Tulip and Pulling Power, who can scrap it out as the best of the rest.