14:40 Warwick

Saturday 8 February 2020

All12:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

Paddy Power 31 Sleeps To Cheltenham Mares' Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 12.6s

Indefatigable³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: R P McLernon| T: P R Webber| OR: 139| BF

7/2

Winner at this level last season and second to exceptional Lady Buttons at Wetherby in November very strong form. Disappointing latest but soft, heavy in places going reportedly didn't suit. Looks the one to beat here on sounder surface.

Form: 51-5223

Cap Soleil²⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130

7/2

Off 362 days after second to brilliant Laurina at 2018 Cheltenham Festival and ran two relatively non-descript races last spring. Hard to gauge at this stage after another layoff but her best form would give her a squeak.

Form: 1212/70-

Ch'ti Diamond⁴⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 131

16/1

Win over hurdles in France back in 2018 reads well now with the second Fusil Raffles a smart performer. Over fences after and now makes UK debut after 482 day absence. This yard's runners rarely need a run after such breaks so market can guide.

Form: 31246-

Coded Message²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 135

9/2

3m½f Kempton handicap winner just as effective over this sort of trip. Struggled behind smart Magic Of Light in Ascot Grade Two latest but much more dangerous at this level and one for the shortlist here.

Form: P-33214

Copper Gone West³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 134

11/1

Narrowly beat re-opposing Coded Message in 3m½f Doncaster handicap in December. Jumped right when second subsequently at Sandown in Listed contest but remains a viable contender today.

Form: F-UP212

Early Morning Rain⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 127| BF

17/2

Lightly raced mare made favourite for a 2m3f Haydock Listed race last time out after wins at Fontwell and Lingfield but weakened out of things. Now has a little more to prove but if ground rather than trip was the problem she could bounce back.

Form: 15-1615

Legends Gold²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: L P Aspell| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 135| D

7/2

First time at Listed level today but more than worthy of the shot having won four of her last five starts with comfortable Ludlow handicap win latest off a mark of 126. Versatile ground wise so no reason she won't go well here.

Form: 31-1161

Guardia Top¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 122

16/1

Junior of the field but only time she failed to make the frame was on debut. Up in class today but seems to be progressive so not entirely ruled out.

Form: 112132

Forecasts

Indefatigable (7/2), Legends Gold (7/2), Cap Soleil (7/2), Coded Message (9/2), Early Morning Rain (17/2), Copper Gone West (11/1), Guardia Top (16/1), Ch'ti Diamond (16/1)

This is considerably more open than the average Mares Listed race and none of the eight runners can be entirely ruled out. Classy INDEFATIGIBLE gets the nod despite having to give weight away all round with her Cheltenham win last season and Wetherby second this season both standout pieces of form. Chief among the dangers are Copper Gone West who comes into this in good order and Legends Gold who has improved out of all recognition this season.