15:30 Taunton

Monday 11 March 2019

All14:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0517:40

Follow willhillracing On Twitter Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 4m 19.30s

Wilde Spirit¹⁰²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Teal⁽⁵⁾| T: A King| OR: 106

12/1

Placed in both previous starts over hurdles and going the right way. Open to further progress and has to be of interest on handicap bow. (The rider's 5lb claim eases the burden of top weight.)

Form: 845-33

Tierra Verde⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 106| CD

4/1

C&D winner on her penultimate start but held from a 6lb higher mark latest at Kempton. That form still looks reliable though; worthy of consideration from the same mark here.

Form: 332-913

Legend Lady^h¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: James Best| T: Miss J Du Plessis| OR: 105| C| D

10/1

Has ability and is on a handy mark at present. Finished the race to good effect at Exeter latest, which created the impression a stronger test of stamina might help. The drop in trip is therefore a concern on this occasion.

Form: 2/55-PU4

Oriental Flame^h¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann| OR: 103

7/2

Shown a bit of improvement of late but still doesn't appear to be the easiest of rides. The jockey knows the mare well though and very possible he can get her to play ball. One to monitor closely in the betting.

Form: 37-5634

Micras^b,t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 93| D

5/1

Proving to be of modest ability over hurdles but has shown a bit more interest of late. Gone close in a couple of Class 5 handicaps since the turn of the year but needs to find a little more at this level.

Form: 072722

Queen Adelaide²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 101

8/1

Joined a top yard since finishing second in a modest seller last time out. More required here but has a good attitude and would be interesting to see if the betting backs up her claims in a positive manner.

Form: 32762

Riviere Argentee^t,v²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: M F Harris| OR: 91| BF

10/1

Well held in a slightly better race than this last time but is struggling to find her level just now. Still a maiden over hurdles and needs everything to go her way if she's going to alter that fact.

Form: 330225

Powerful Society¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Edward Austin⁽⁷⁾| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 98

9/1

Not the most consistent individual but comes into this on the back of a decent enough effort to finish third behind a couple of decent types at Wincanton last month. Place claims if able to post a similar effort here.

Form: U25753

Venetian Proposal^h1⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 84

33/1

A low grade handicapper under both codes and has already had and wasted a number chances of riding herself of her maiden tag. The first-time hood can help her concentration but the mare still needs to up her game considerably.

Form: 398P45

Shadow's Girl^p²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Charlie Price⁽⁷⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 82| D

16/1

Posted a solid effort over C&D in January but didn't fire on all cylinders at Plumpton latest. Needs to reverse the form with River Argentee and would appear to face a stern challenge this time.

Form: 515325

Ruby Russet^b,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Angus Cheleda⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 72

14/1

Has made very little impression in her starts since returning from wind surgery late last year; possible a longer trip may also suit her better these days.

Form: 25P959

Non-Runners

Oenophile⁴⁰

Weight: 10-2| Age: 4

T: T R Gretton J: R T Dunne

Forecasts

Oriental Flame (7/2), Tierra Verde (4/1), Micras (5/1), Queen Adelaide (8/1), Powerful Society (9/1), Legend Lady (10/1), Riviere Argentee (10/1), Wilde Spirit (12/1), Ruby Russet (14/1), Shadow's Girl (16/1), Venetian Proposal (33/1), Oenophile (33/1)

Handicap debutante WILDE SPIRIT makes plenty of appeal and could take the beating if she can take a further step forward now she contests a race of this nature; Tierra Verde likes this course and is rated as a big danger, while Oriental Flame can also make the rest aware of her presence if she settles and saves a little more in reserve for a finishing kick this time. Queen Adelaide represents a top yard and is another to monitor in the betting.