Dr Alastair Wells Retirement Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 4m 47.2s

Duhallow Gesture¹²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁷⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 127| CD

7/2

Winner of this race off a 3lb lower mark 12 months ago and has been given a break since finishing 26L sixth over an extended 2m5f at Wincanton (good-to-soft) in November. Tongue tie worn for the first time that day is absent in this contest.

Form: 415-356

Nikap^h¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 120

11/2

Returning from a break when finishing 31L eighth in a handicap hurdle over an extended 2m at Doncaster (heavy) just over a fortnight ago. Likely more needed if she's to take this race.

Form: R-44158

White Chocolate⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 117

9/2

Followed up a novice hurdle success over 2m at Plumpton (soft) in January with a 12L third over an extended 2m at Taunton (soft) at the start of last month. Strong claims of making a winning handicap debut.

Form: 313

Daytime Ahead¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Nick Scholfield| T: R J Hodges| OR: 110

9/1

Five time hurdles winner including twice this campaign most recently by a neck over 2m1f at Exeter (soft) at the start of this month. Raised 5lb for that victory and is a notable runner once more.

Form: 001751

Misty Whisky⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 110| BF

11/10

Placed second on both starts this campaign including when beaten 9L over an extended 2m2f at Exeter (heavy) in December. Worth a check in the market on handicap debut following a break.

Form: 2117-22

Forecasts

Misty Whisky (11/10), Duhallow Gesture (7/2), White Chocolate (9/2), Nikap (11/2), Daytime Ahead (9/1)

MISTY WHISKY has run well on both hurdles starts so far and she can make a winning handicap debut by taking this mares' handicap hurdle. The selection has the forecast underfoot conditions to suit and she can get the better of fellow handicap debutant White Chocolate. Third place can go to Daytime Ahead who was a winner on her most recent appearance.