bet365 Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 6m 15.80s

Misty Bloom³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: J R Wildman⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 112| D

9/2

Ended losing run from much-reduced mark at Ludlow (23.8f) in April and fitter for comeback when 6 lengths third over 23.6f at Chepstow last month. Not yet fully exposed as a stayer and not discounted.

Form: 6F01-53

Jersey Lady²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: O Sherwood| OR: 110

9/1

Bumper winner who was unimpressive when landing a 3-runner Hereford maiden hurdle (2m) in October. Third under a penalty at WIncanton (21.3f) since but longer trip now handicapping rates a plus.

Form: 1307-13

Shantou Sunset^b1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 108| D

5/1

Arrives in fine form, landing pair of staying handicaps 5 months apart prior to a good third in a stronger race at Ascot last month, second before hanging badly left late on. Claims again. Blinkered.

Form: 25-2113

Do Ya Feel Lucky⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 101

11/2

Ex-Irish who scored narrowly at Worcester (23f) in August and looked set to push Shantou Sunset very close prior to falling last at Newton Abbot (26.5f) in October. Clearly remains on handy mark.

Form: 25P-71F

Midnight Mary^t²⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 94| BF

7/2

Struck at second time of asking in handicaps at Huntingdon (25f) in March and similar form when third back there later that month, This is a tougher ask on return, however. Tongue tie again fitted.

Form: 565413-

Rock On Rita²⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Alain Cawley| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 84| D

5/2

Winning pointer who displayed signs of promise on first of her 3 starts in mares' novice hurdles at upto 2½m last season. Goes handicapping now from a low base and well worth a look for shrewd yard.

Form: 1450-

Non-Runners

Final Reminder¹⁹⁴

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: N W Alexander J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Rock On Rita (5/2), Midnight Mary (7/2), Misty Bloom (9/2), Shantou Sunset (5/1), Do Ya Feel Lucky (11/2), Final Reminder (7/1), Jersey Lady (9/1)

It looked set to be close between DO YA FEEL LUCKY and Shantou Sunset when the pair met at Newton Abbot in October, the first named crashing out at the last. 2 lb better off at the weights now, the former gets the nod to gain compensation off the same mark. That said, market support for low-mileage/handicap debutante Rock On Rita would put a different spin on things.