Ardencote Destination Spa Mares' Novices' Chase

Off time: 19:02 | Winning time: 5m 13.8s

Lucca Lady¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 130| CD

13/8

Improved for a wind op to score over C&D on chase debut. Upped in class at Perth when staying on past beaten horses to finish a well-beaten fourth. This will be easier and the experience makes her hard to dismiss.

Form: 322514-

Poppy Kay^p⁷¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: David England| T: O Murphy| OR: 134| D

5/1

Smart hurdler did not look a natural chaser when a well-beaten fifth in this last year. Beat a 50-race maiden in a hack canter at Doncaster in March, first run following wind surgery, which proved little and this will be a more thorough examination.

Form: 10P4/51-

Grageelagh Girl¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

13/2

Point-to-point/hurdles winner who is suited by a sound surface. Not at her best lately and behind some of these on hurdling form so plenty to prove on chase debut.

Form: 113665-

Kentford Heiress²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 115| D

5/1

Trounced a competitive field in a valuable mares race at Haydock when relishing summer ground. All eight wins have come in summer/early autumn so best not to judge her on December's chase debut. Hard to ignore but rain would decrease her chances.

Form: 439071-

Vivant²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: T Lacey| D

3/1

Hurdles mark gives her every chance but she has operated at a lower level than most of these. Suited to forcing tactics and that demands she jumps well on her chase debut.

Form: 33111P-

Forecasts

Lucca Lady (13/8), Vivant (3/1), Kentford Heiress (5/1), Poppy Kay (5/1), Grageelagh Girl (13/2)

Poppy Kay stands out on her hurdles form but her chase debut in this race 12 months ago was unconvincing. Her Doncaster success in March when 1/16 in a match means little. LUCCA LADY slammed last year's winner of this contest when bolting up on her chase debut over C&D. That was a big step up on previous form and she may have found her lack of experience against her when taking on better horses last time. Kentford Heiress was impressive in a valuable handicap at Haydock but she exploited a low mark that day and this will be harder. Vivant and Grageelagh Girl have a bit to find unless improving for the switch to fences.