Matchbook Casino Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 3m 42.00s

Sula Island⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁵⁾| T: A King| OR: 118

3/1

Narrowly failed to score on the AW last time over 1m4f and now returns to hurdling having made a winning start to her career in this sphere back in September. Failed to fire over timber after that twice in handicaps; now runs off a lesser mark.

Form: 14625-

Tomorrow Mystery^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117| BF

5/6

Lightly-raced sort over hurdles (fairly useful on the Flat) who had wind surgery after her first hurdles run. Favourite for both her handicap starts so far (runner-up both times); fully-fledged rider takes over again, sure to win over timber soon.

Form: 2322-

Stepover^t¹⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 116| BF| D

10/1

Consistent sort who recorded a career-best when taking a Worcester handicap hurdle in September off a 3lb lower mark. Didn't fare well in two starts after that though (completed only once; finished last); returns from a break against race-fit rivals.

Form: 1/241P3-

Admiral's Sunset¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: D Weston| OR: 112| D

7/2

Showed this as her level when winning and being placed at Hereford in November both at 2m on good ground. Unsurprisingly found out in Listed company after that (ran with credit); failed to stay over 2m3f on comeback run last time at Taunton.

Form: 351352-

Forecasts

Tomorrow Mystery (5/6), Sula Island (3/1), Admiral's Sunset (7/2), Stepover (10/1)

The fact that TOMORROW MYSTERY has twice failed favourite backers in handicaps must be a worry but in essence she hasn’t done much wrong and with Harry Cobden taking over the steering again she’s taken to make it third-time lucky in handicaps. Sula Island needs to show her AW form returned to hurdles although her last two handicap efforts don’t fill you with confidence and it’s probably Admiral’s Sunset who provides the main danger. She will appreciate being back at this trip after trying 3f further last time and her handicap form off this sort of mark is sound.