bet365 Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 5m 27.1s

Legalized²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 117| D

5/1

Concedes weight to all six of her rivals and doesn't look one to fancy at present. Never able to pose much of a threat when beaten 18-length into fourth at Hereford (2m3f; soft) last month. Place claims at best.

Form: 121B-34

Oksana^t¹¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: David England| T: S England| OR: 111

16/1

Profile would suggest she has a preference for faster ground. Record when ground is soft reads 0-4. Was an easy winner over slightly further at Cartmel (2m6f; good to soft) when last seen back in August. Check market vibes.

Form: 2F3131

Paper Promise¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Callum Whillans⁽³⁾| T: D W Whillans| OR: 108| C

11/4

Posted a slightly underwhelming effort on handicap/seasonal debut at Kelso (2m; soft) when only sixth. Could improve from that, and has only had the four starts over hurdles. One of those was her maiden hurdle victory at this track. Returns to 2m4f.

Form: 17/561-6

Amberose⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 108

7/2

The one they all have to beat after she recorded her second win over hurdles when edging out Lily's Gem by a neck at Carlisle (2m1f; soft) 40 days ago. Front pair drew eight-length clear of the third. 4lb rise is fair, and she could follow-up.

Form: 12-6451

Lostnfound²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 108

14/1

Took a backwards step last time when a well-beaten 10th at Wetherby (2m3f; soft). Posted an encouraging return to action when a short-head second at Sedgefield (2m5f; soft) before that. Modest strike rate also makes her an unappealing proposition.

Form: 5U2-320

Keep The River^p¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 105| D

16/1

Been in quiet form for most of this year, and fell at Musselburgh (2m4f; good to soft) when last seen. Still to register a win in the handicap sphere, and yard are going through a quiet spell at present.

Form: 366-05F

Theflickeringlight³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: P A Kirby| OR: 102

9/4

0-5 under rules, but has bumped into a couple of useful prospects when placed (albeit well-beaten) over hurdles the last twice. Opening mark is fair enough, and she is open to improvement now handicapping. Solid claims.

Form: 125-533

Forecasts

Theflickeringlight (9/4), Paper Promise (11/4), Amberose (7/2), Legalized (5/1), Lostnfound (14/1), Keep The River (16/1), Oksana (16/1)

Another seven-runner affair, with a few of these ruled out with confidence. Despite making a quiet comeback at Kelso, Paper Promise is lightly raced and isn't one to lose faith in just yet. She looked one to follow when winning over hurdles at this track on her final start last season. This is a more realistic assignment for Theflickeringlight who goes handicapping after contesting a pair of hot novice hurdles recently. Any market support for her would be significant. However, preference is for Amberose who looks a solid selection. She showed her wellbeing when making a winning return to action at Carlisle last month and can follow-up for the in-form Nicky Richards team.