bet365 Mares' Hurdle (Registered As The Warfield) (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 54.71s

Magic Of Light^p³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 113| CD

5/2

Last year's Grand National second won this race with plenty in hand last season and showed her wellbeing when winning by a street at Newbury although only two finished. Very smart over hurdles and fences and classy enough to give weight all round.

Form: 2U72-31

Papagana²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 146| D

9/4

Won three times last season and won a Kempton Listed mares' event (her second win of that type) on return. Held in small field Long Walk (Grade One, third of four) latest but a big threat at this level against own sex in ideal conditions.

Form: 1431-13

Coded Message²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 129

8/1

After a string of solid efforts in defeat she won a 3m½f Kempton handicap impressively off a mark of 120 last time out. Faces a much tougher task now versus 149 rated Magic Of Light but is the sort to still run well.

Form: 2P-3321

Culture De Sivola²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: Nick Williams| OR: 137| D

8/1

Well held fifth in this last year behind Magic Of Light and behind both Papagana and Coded Message already this season. Looks up against it.

Form: 55P-325

Liberty Bella¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: B Eckley| OR: 123

20/1

Dual novice winner last season running well in handicaps at around 2m4f but will have to improve vastly now upped in trip and class.

Form: 54-5264

Sensulano³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: Noel Williams| OR: 134| C

11/4

Three-time hurdles scorer has improved again for the switch to fences this season winning twice including in a Listed mares contest at Doncaster latest. Seems to still be on the up so genuine contender here although the trip is an unknown.

Form: 124-211

Forecasts

Papagana (9/4), Magic Of Light (5/2), Sensulano (11/4), Coded Message (8/1), Culture De Sivola (8/1), Liberty Bella (20/1)

Last year's National runner-up MAGIC OF LIGHT is following a similar path to Aintree having won this race impressively 12 months ago. She has to give weight to the smart Papagana which will be no mean feat and Oliver Sherwood's mare looks the most obvious danger after two Listed wins and a respectable third in the Long Walk here. Sensulano has made a bright start over fences suggesting she may have improved enough to be competive here.