tote Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 4m 12.16s

Gazette Bourgeoise⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: B I Case| OR: 115

5/4

Runner-up on Uttoxeter hurdles debut in November. Not in quite in same form when fourth at Exeter (18.5f), but she's still unexposed now venturing into handicaps.

Form: 7-424

Yauthym⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 112

4/1

Fair maiden on Flat in France (stays 13f) and similar form over hurdles, including when third of 13 in Uttoxeter maiden (15.8f) on return in October. Into handicaps now but opening mark demands more.

Form: 33-3

Shantung^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 107| BF

6/4

Winless since 2018 but wasted no time getting back to form returned to conventional hurdles when runner-up in 20f handicap here 24 days ago. Another good account likely back down in trip.

Form: 55-4342

Mon Petit Cheri⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Page Fuller| T: A Irvine| OR: 99

25/1

Showed first form when 13 lengths second of 13 to Annual Invictus in novice hurdle (15.9f) at Plumpton last time, doing best work late from off the pace. Opening mark probably high enough, though.

Form: 06-9702

Non-Runners

To Fly Free⁴³

Weight: 10-4| Age: 4

T: D Pipe J: Fergus Gillard

Ayr Of Elegance⁴⁴

Weight: 10-0| Age: 9

T: D J Jeffreys J: Kielan Woods

Forecasts

Gazette Bourgeoise (5/4), Shantung (6/4), Yauthym (4/1), To Fly Free (4/1), Mon Petit Cheri (25/1), Ayr Of Elegance (33/1)

GAZETTE BOURGEOISE starts life in handicaps from what appears a fair-opening mark and is still unexposed, so she looks the most appealing option in a race that may not take a great deal of winning. Shantung hasn't tasted success since 2018 but is well weighted and seems likely to pose a threat.