Pickwick On Course Bookmakers Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:50 | Winning time: 4m 12.5s

Valse Au Taillons³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: J Farrelly| OR: 121| D

7/2

Started the season in flying form, bolting up in novice contests at Ffos Las and Stratford (2m2f) in the summer. Well held in Listed company at Newbury (2m) in November but this is easier and holds claims.

Form: 336-117

Our Dot's Baby^p1⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 120| D

7/1

Last win came at Newbury (2m4f) nearly a year and was third in Grade 2 at that track in March. Not as good in two starts for new yard though and more needed based on 17L defeat at Newbury (2m) last time.

Form: 2133-P6

Darlyn²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 111| D

3/1

Has generally been in good form this season, gaining narrow success at Sedgefield (2m5f) on penultimate starts before no-show fifth at Doncaster (3m) last month. Back drastically down in trip but on a nice mark and shouldn't be discounted.

Form: 141-315

On The Quiet⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 107| D

4/1

Yet to make his mark over hurdles but improving with racing this term, including narrow second at Ffos Las (2m) in November. 2lb rise shouldn't be an issue and should be winning soon.

Form: 6-14432

Princess Mononoke⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 106| D

13/2

Hasn't won since April 2018 but running well without troubling the judge recently, including 4L second at Uttoxeter (2m) in November. Harshly raised in the weights for that effort though so entitled to place claims.

Form: 11/35-42

Miss Gemstone³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 105

11/1

Five-race maiden whose best effort came when beaten 5L into fifth in 2m Taunton novice hurdle at the end of November. Work to do on that form but treated nicely for handicap debut.

Form: 77-255

Born To Please^p⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: M D I Usher| OR: 103| D

6/1

Modest performer over both codes and made it two wins from two with game 4L success at Uttoxeter in November (2m). Risen 8lb in the weights for that success but could be a dark improver in this company.

Form: 00279-1

Forecasts

Darlyn (3/1), Valse Au Taillons (7/2), On The Quiet (4/1), Born To Please (6/1), Princess Mononoke (13/2), Our Dot's Baby (7/1), Miss Gemstone (11/1)

ON THE QUIET looks to be a typical improver over time for her trainer and would have been a likely winner with an extra 50 yards last time out. The handicapper is treating her well at the minute and she could take this race in her stride with the necessary improvement. Darlyn was brilliant at Sedgefield two starts ago but failed to stay last time, this galloping and testing 2m should suit her running style well while the likes of the improving Born To Please and Valse Au Taillons have been slightly harshly treated by the handicapper.