188Bet Mobile Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:56 | Winning time: 5m 19.50s

Rivabodiva^t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 118| C

10/1

Feasibly didn't appreciate being taken on early at Carlisle latest (ran well below-par) but generally goes well for this rider and revels in testing conditions; 16lb higher than when winning by 18L over 3m here in April.

Form: 215-419

Ebony Rose^h,t³⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: James Corbett⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 116

20/1

Thrived over hurdles in the second half of 2017 (3-7), registering a career best when beating Native Optimist by 3L at Carlisle (3m1f, soft) in December; off since and 5lb higher; holds a semblance of a chance if fully fit.

Form: 131451-

Eternally Yours³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 116| CD

5/4

Lightly raced overall but firmly on an upward trajectory; ploughed through deep ground to win on hurdles debut over C&D in April (novice); rock-solid neck second to Bon Chic on seasonal reappearance (and handicap bow) at Ayr; 6lb higher.

Form: 4141-2

Dark Sunset^p1²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 110

10/1

Sports a 33% strike-rate over hurdles (3-9) and sits just 2lb above her last winning mark. However, the bulk of her best form is on a sounder surface, and she's disappointed the past twice; cheekpieces are now applied.

Form: 54144-8

Shine Baby Shine²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: P A Kirby| OR: 107

9/2

Not overly convincing over hurdles since winning a Catterick novice (2m, soft) in March, although it should be noted that she's faced some tough assignments; handicap mark on the slide and trainer is in-form.

Form: 2174-P5

Beyondtemptation^h,t¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny Cook| T: J C Haynes| OR: 105| CD

12/1

More commonly known as a Hexham specialist, although she has also won on her last three visits to this track; handicap mark easing, now just 1lb higher than when winning this race by 3½L in 2017.

Form: 1P13-0P

Rubytwo³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 103| BF

9/2

Bombed out at short odds (2/5f) in a very winnable mares' maiden over C&D last month, so one must hold reservations about whether or not she'll make it long-term as a hurdler; has stamina in her pedigree; opposed.

Form: 352-144

Forecasts

Eternally Yours (5/4), Rubytwo (9/2), Shine Baby Shine (9/2), Rivabodiva (10/1), Dark Sunset (10/1), Beyondtemptation (12/1), Ebony Rose (20/1)

2017 winner Beyondtemptation is better known as a Hexham specialist, but interestingly this grand mare seeks a return to form having won on each of her last three starts at Gosforth Park. Ebony Rose is somewhat of an unknown commodity following more than a year off the track but she was progressive when last in competitive action and her locally-based trainer is no stranger to Newcastle winners. However, the most alluring option is ETERNALLY YOURS. She is lightly-raced over hurdles but also firmly on the upgrade, so can make light of a 6lb rise in the weights for a promising handicap debut second at Ayr.