British Stallion Studs EBF Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 113| D

Off the mark at the fifth attempt over hurdles when showing improved form to score in a mares' novice handicap at Newbury (2m, soft; first-time tongue-tie) last month. More needed, but can't rule her out if in that sort of form under penalty.

Form: 5372-71

Whitehotchillifili²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 125| D

Debut bumper winner who showed promise over hurdles on her first attempt at Ffos Las in October, and stepped up on that to win a mares' novice race unchallenged at Wincanton (heavy) on Boxing Day. Big player under her penalty.

Form: 1249-31

Anightinlambourn⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling

Third in a Warwick mares' bumper on debut last season, but unable to build on that in one more bumper and also on her hurdles debut at Huntingdon last month, after a year off. Need to see more before she can be recommended.

Form: 37-9

Crackle Lyn Rosie³⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams

Placed in a couple of mares' bumpers in 2018, but held in two more this time last year. Not seen since. There is hurdles success in the family, but she could be forgiven if needing this hurdles debut after a year off.

Form: 2356-

Mystic Dreamer⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: L P Aspell| T: N J Gifford| OR: 113| BF

Won a decent Cheltenham bumper (good) last April. Showed similar promise when third on hurdles debut at Fontwell (2m1½f, soft) in November. Not quite as good when going very close over 2m3f there last time. Drops in trip and has claims.

Form: 281-32

Pillar Of Steel⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: J L Spearing

Not devoid of promise in bumpers, but has been unable to build on that in hurdles runs at Hereford and Taunton in the autumn. Much more needed.

Form: 5458

Forecasts

Whitehotchillifili (5/4), Mystic Dreamer (15/8), Fair Kate (7/2), Crackle Lyn Rosie (14/1), Anightinlambourn (33/1), Pillar Of Steel (50/1)

This looks to be a three-way contest between Fair Kate, Whitehotchillifili (who both carry penalties) and MYSTIC DREAMER, and the receipt of a useful 6lb from the other pair might just enable Nick Gifford's mare to break her hurdles duck at the third attempt.