Sculthorpe Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:33 | Winning time: 4m 6.95s

Midnights' Gift¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 130| CD

9/4

Winner of Aintree mares' listed event last term and has performed with credit on each of her 3 starts this season, third back in listed company at Wetherby latest. Still, others look better treated.

Form: 240-243

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Nanabelle²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 125| D

17/2

Landed 2 juvenile hurdles in France last winter, but has proved disappointing in 2 starts for new connections and bit to prove now.

Form: 115-0

Hijran²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁷⁾| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 123| D

25/1

Creditable second in 2m Ludlow handicap (first run following a wind op) in February. However, was beating a retreat when hampered 2 out on return at Cheltenham and she looks pretty exposed.

Form: 16/6P2-0

Getariver^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 123| D

9/5

Multiple bumper winner who landed a Ludlow maiden hurdle last term. Struggled on return/chase debut, but back on track returned to hurdles when runner-up at Stratford (16.3f) and she's a big player.

Form: 4131-52

Nordican Bleue^h⁴²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 122| D

12/1

Dual Flat winner in France and made it 2-6 over hurdles when landing a 16.8f Newton Abbot mares' novice on latest start in September 2019. Needs considering on handicap debut, despite 14-month layoff.

Form: 223/121-

Fantastic Ms Fox^h²⁶⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: R T Dunne| T: Noel Williams| OR: 122

20/1

Former Flat winner who did well in this sphere last term, scoring twice at Doncaster, including a mares' listed event. Not disgraced in a Grade 2 when last seen, but more needed now handicapping.

Form: U114-

A Little Chaos³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: S Edmunds| OR: 118| CD

4/1

Dual novice winner in 2018/19, including over C&D. Missed whole of last season, but ability remains intact judged on comeback run here (2½m) and, now 2 lb lower and back in trip, she merits respect.

Form: 49116/5

Forecasts

Getariver (9/5), Midnights' Gift (9/4), A Little Chaos (4/1), Nanabelle (17/2), Nordican Bleue (12/1), Fantastic Ms Fox (20/1), Hijran (25/1)

Preference is for GETARIVER, who arguably should've prevailed back in this sphere at Stratford last month (ridden a bit too aggressively) and can make amends. A Little Chaos shaped well on return from a lengthy absence here and is next on the list ahead of Nordican Bleue and Midnights' Gift.