Houghton Mares' Chase (Listed)

Off time: 12:00 | Winning time: 5m 13.5s

Atlanta Ablaze³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: H D Daly| OR: 147| D

10/3

Huge improver last season, winning four times including two Listed races. Got her head back in front on her seasonal debut at Market Rasen in a Listed Chase on heavy ground; versatile with regards to trip and may come on for her latest run.

Form: 1U1FP-1

Casablanca Mix¹⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 154| CD

4/9

Right back in form when last seen, winning over C&D in May before landing a 14 runner Listed Handicap Chase at Market Rasen. Respected in her hat-trick bid here but will have to be on her A-game given that her main rivals have race fitness on side.

Form: 2930-11

Holly Flight^t¹²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 117

40/1

Modest chaser whose latest win came in a point-to-point. Up against it here on all known form. Debut for new yard.

Form: 124426

Listen Dear²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 141| D

11/2

Latest win came in a Listed Hurdle at Limerick and made an encouraging return to fences at Clonmel, though no match for the odds-on favourite; will probably need a career best if she's to land this.

Form: 23-4612

Forecasts

Casablanca Mix (4/9), Atlanta Ablaze (10/3), Listen Dear (11/2), Holly Flight (40/1)

Casablanca Mix is likely to prove a popular pick here and if she's at her very best, she will likely take some beating but slight preference is for ATLANTA ABLAZE with race fitness on her side. The mare was impressive at Market Rasen last time out and there's a chance she will come on for that run. Irish Raider Listen Dear ought to get the better of Holly Flight in the battle for third.