13:10 Hereford

Saturday 14 December 2019

All12:0012:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

Appliance Solutions Ledbury Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:11 | Winning time: 6m 49.07s

Top And Drop²⁸⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 120| CD

9/1

Completed a hat-trick when winning a similar race to this on good-to-soft ground over this C&D by 4½L in March. Raised 15lb for that impressive success and is one to note on seasonal reappearance.

Form: 43P111-

Still Believing^p⁶⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 110| CD

9/1

C&D winner including off a 4lb higher mark in this race 12 months ago. Improved on previous efforts this term when 10L second to Silent Steps over an extended 2m7f at Chepstow (soft) in October and is one to note in this contest.

Form: 363-P92

Silent Steps^p⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 108| BF

16/1

Impressed when winning by 10L over an extended 2m7f at Chepstow (soft) in a mares' handicap chase in October. Disappointing favourite at Worcester (2m7f, good-to-soft) later that month and races off a mark 8lb higher than for that Chepstow victory.

Form: 44-3217

Royal Claret^p1¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 107| C| D

6/1

Beaten 16L in a mares' handicap chase over an extended 2m7f at Newcastle (heavy) last month. Pulled up over this C&D last time out and wears cheekpieces for the first time.

Form: 215-54P

Longhousesignora^b1¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 106

9/4

Returned to fences with a 4¾L fourth in a 3m1f mares' handicap chase at Plumpton (soft) earlier this month. Blinkers replace the cheekpieces worn for the first time on that occasion.

Form: 276-354

Annie Bonny^p1³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 106

16/1

Winner off a 3lb lower mark in a novices' handicap hurdle at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) but has finished held on all three starts over fences this campaign. Cheekpieces tried for the first time.

Form: 417-655

Stream Lady^b,t⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: D Pipe| OR: 106| DWS

11/1

Beaten 23L when last of five behind Silent Steps in a mares' handicap chase over an extended 2m7f at Chepstow (soft) in October. Won off this mark at Sedgefield (good) in August and blinkers replace cheekpieces on first start since wind surgery.

Form: 3213P5

In Arrears^p1¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: G F Edwards| OR: 104

12/1

Handicap mark is falling following a couple of moderate efforts this campaign including when 47L last of five over 3m at Southwell (soft) in November. Cheekpieces tried for the first time.

Form: 13-1P85

Heavenly Promise¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 104| BF

7/2

Completed a hat-trick when winning over 3m at Ffos Las (soft) last month and ran well when 2L second at Southwell (3m, soft) in a mares' handicap chase four days later. Bold show expected off a mark 11lb higher than for that Ffos Las success.

Form: 321112

Stupid Cupid¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 88

33/1

Successful in a mares' handicap chase at Worcester (2m7f, good-to-soft) and placed second on her next start. Disappointed over this C&D last time out however and is racing from out of the handicap on this occasion.

Form: 9-67127

Forecasts

Longhousesignora (9/4), Heavenly Promise (7/2), Royal Claret (6/1), Still Believing (9/1), Top And Drop (9/1), Stream Lady (11/1), In Arrears (12/1), Silent Steps (16/1), Annie Bonny (16/1), Stupid Cupid (33/1)

HEAVENLY PROMISE has been in good form so far this season and she can register her fourth win in her last five starts by taking this competitive mares only event. The selection can see off Top And Drop who ended last season in good form and is making her return to action in this contest while third place can go to Still Believing who was the winner of this race last year.