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

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 13.1s

Kupatana²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139

2/1

Win at Kelso latest one of the most bizarre performances of the season having been 20L clear, headed and then eventually coming clear again by 18L. 17lb higher than previous handicap win here and came to grief three times since so there are risks.

Form: 2UF2F1

Graceful Legend^b²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: B I Case| OR: 132

6/1

Five-time hurdle winner got off the mark over fences latest at Newbury (2m6½f). Up 5lb for that success so task here only gets tougher but if in the same vein again she can't be ruled out.

Form: 345231

Little Miss Poet⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132

4/1

Comfortably beat Kupatana in what became a match at Ludlow in January (received 6lb from that rival) before finishing second in another small field at Wetherby latest. Can race keenly so bigger field might just help and rates a leading player here.

Form: 145212

Desirable Court^t⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 131

15/2

Three-from-four over fences and for this stable although one win was a walkover. Made hard work of winning as 1/2F at Leicester latest so will have to up her game here but return to 2m4f will suit better and stable absolutely flying.

Form: 231511

Majestic Moll¹⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 131

7/1

Had a fine season winning three times and two of her three chases to date. Struggled in lone previous handicap off a similar mark over hurdles however so has to prove she can handle this mark.

Form: 8141P1

Black Tulip⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: T J O'Brien| T: H D Daly| OR: 119| D

11/2

Placed in first three chases including two seconds in handicaps off this mark. Disappointing twice since however with a pulled-up and last of five so now must bounce back to form.

Form: 3-322P5

Blackdown Hills⁹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: N de Boinville| T: J W Mullins| OR: 113

16/1

Big improvement latest when only 1L behind Desirable Court in third at Leicester over 2m. Might have been flattered there but she's 19lb better off in this handicap so surely has a great chance of turning the tables.

Form: 119P33

Forecasts

Kupatana (2/1), Little Miss Poet (4/1), Black Tulip (11/2), Graceful Legend (6/1), Majestic Moll (7/1), Desirable Court (15/2), Blackdown Hills (16/1)

A chance is taken on BLACKDOWN HILLS based on what seemed a vastly improved effort at Leicester latest, an effort largely overlooked by the handicapper. Little Miss Poet is the other runner who appeals as well treated here especially having already quite comfortably beat Kupatana this season who she is now 1lb better off with after that rival franked the form at Kelso. Such was her eventual superiority at Kelso however Kupatana herself can't be ruled out by any means.