14:15 Wincanton

Monday 25 March 2019

All14:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:45

Raymond Wilcox Memorial Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 5m 31.1s

Strangsmill^b1⁵⁶⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 101

66/1

Not seen in action since September 2017 but did shape with promise on a number of occasions earlier in her career. Still a maiden under rules and needs to conclusively prove her stamina. Feasible to suggest she'll need the run.

Form: 423/3P9-

This Lovely Lady¹³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: M G Nolan| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 99WS

40/1

Best effort so far came in a conditional riders bumper but hurdles form has been modest at best. Probably best watched on her first start after wind surgery.

Form: 24658P

Lady Longshot²⁷²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 98

6/1

Up in trip and set to carry 5lb more than the last of her two wins last summer. Can go well fresh, so the absence not such an issue; solid claims if the mare improves again for the sterner test of stamina.

Form: 373P-11

Hiupinthesky⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 95

15/8

Made steady progress in point-to-points and won her latest start in that sphere by twenty lengths. Has to be of interest in a modest field like this and one to bear in mind if the betting market shows her in a positive light.

Form: 396-231

Lee Side Lady^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 92

11/1

A modest third over this trip at Fontwell on her penultimate start but failed to build on that when well beaten last time out. Place claims on the pick of her form but lacks the consistency for a win only punt.

Form: 493337

Belmont Jewel^p,t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Benjamin Poste| T: M Scudamore| OR: 91

11/2

Pulled up on her first start after wind surgery but was much better last time; ran way above market expectations and was just touched off in a tight finish. This extra furlong can help; one to consider now she's proved her well being.

Form: 6-88PP2

Multigifted²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: M Goldstein| T: M Madgwick| OR: 89

7/1

A versatile four-time winner on the Flat (won over distances between 6f and 2m) but is 0-8 over hurdles so far. Posted a reasonable effort over 2m4f latest but failed to see out the trip on her only other previous attempt over this far.

Form: 434-085

Spirit Of Rome²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: Nick Mitchell| OR: 87

33/1

Placed just three times from 19 previous starts and is exposed as ordinary. Dropped out of contention very quickly in her latest start and hard to recommend on that evidence.

Form: 5-35P5P

Dharma Rain^t1²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: J McGrath| T: C Hobson| OR: 94

25/1

Rated just 58 at her best on the Flat in Ireland and has been well beaten in four starts over hurdles since joining her current yard. Hard to fancy on her handicap debut.

Form: P687

Princess Midnight¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 80

5/1

Not disgraced at Taunton earlier this month and would have sound claims if able to dish out a repeat dose. A more proven stayer than most and dangerous to underestimate despite her paltry looking present rating.

Form: P44593

Pennies And Pounds¹¹⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 10-0| J: M D Grant| T: J S Smith| OR: 69

25/1

Almost four years since her last win but is still only 6lb below that winning mark. Posted one of her better efforts latest but rarely runs two races the same and isn't one to trust implicitly.

Form: PP05-83

Non-Runners

Nicely Done³⁴⁹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 6

T: S Durack J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

Hiupinthesky (15/8), Princess Midnight (5/1), Belmont Jewel (11/2), Lady Longshot (6/1), Multigifted (7/1), Lee Side Lady (11/1), Nicely Done (16/1), Dharma Rain (25/1), Pennies And Pounds (25/1), Spirit Of Rome (33/1), This Lovely Lady (40/1), Strangsmill (66/1)

A modest start to the card and only handful arrive in solid enough form to merit consideration. Lady Longshot is likely to be one of the most popular options given that she goes well fresh and might improve further for this step up in trip, while Hiupinthesky is introduced to handicapping at a very modest level and won't need to be anything out of the ordinary to take the principle role. Belmont Jewel posted a respectable effort last time out and is another worth bearing in mind for a place in the frame. However, PRINCESS MIDNIGHT has proved that she copes with this sort of trip and is forwarded as the most interesting contender for a sporting punt this time.