14:27 Kelso

Wednesday 29 December 2021

All12:0712:4213:1713:5214:2715:0015:30

SPG Fire & Security Ltd Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:28 | Winning time: 5m 0.89s

Roxanya¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 116

12/1

Placed on both her completed starts over hurdles. Opening handicap mark not obviously generous but she does have the potential for better as a lightly-raced sort.

Form: 723F-33

Lady Villanelle⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 102

13/2

Made a winning hurdling bow at Newcastle last November. Lightly raced since but her reappearance fifth at Carlisle was respectable and she may strip fitter for the run.

Form: 24/13P-5

Gamesters Icon^p,t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 101

11/2

Fair Flat winner who has run to a similar level over hurdles. Respectable fifth of 14 over 2m at Newcastle under young amateur latest and she's one to consider with Henry Brooke back on board.

Form: 3262-45

Burnt Ash¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁷⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 101

40/1

Fourth in a Navan maiden back in March but she hasn't got anywhere near that level since, pulling up in a Fairyhouse handicap on her recent return from 6 months off.

Form: P4051P

Millarville¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Ryan Mania| T: Mrs H O Graham| OR: 100| D

13/2

Dual hurdles winner for Oliver Sherwood. Yet to strike following 11 starts over fences but her latest Carlisle fourth was respectable and she's 3 lb lower back over the smaller obstacles.

Form: 524244

Blue Hawaii¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: T Collier| OR: 99| BF

16/5

Landed 2m novice at Catterick in March. Easily best effort in handicaps since when second of 6 at Southwell 17 days ago. Runs off a 2 lb lower mark this time. Another to consider.

Form: 41-4672

Dolly Dancer^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 98

25/1

Ended losing run over fences at Hexham (3m) in May but has struggled more recently, pulling up back chasing here latest.

Form: 355F7P

Calliope^b,t⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 97| CD

17/2

Reliable mare who has slipped to 3 lb below last winning mark. Form of latest Carlisle fourth looks solid and she's another with claims.

Form: 134464

Topkapi Star^h²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Callum Bewley| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 97

12/1

Runner-up over 20.5f at Ayr last month and shaped as if still in good form when fourth of 11 at Sedgefield since.

Form: 0-4P224

Sophie Olivia¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Harry Reed| T: T Davidson| OR: 94

9/2

Winning hurdler/chaser. Very lightly raced in recent years but has shown she retains some ability in 2 comeback runs for new stable and her mark continues to slide.

Form: 5F/PP-84

Divas Doyen⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 92

100/1

Minor promise only in Ireland for Declan Queally. Pulled up on Sedgefield yard debut last month and can only be watched after that.

Form: 56-88P

Non-Runners

Off The Hook¹¹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 9

T: N W Alexander J: Bruce Lynn

Forecasts

Blue Hawaii (16/5), Sophie Olivia (9/2), Gamesters Icon (11/2), Off The Hook (11/2), Millarville (13/2), Lady Villanelle (13/2), Calliope (17/2), Topkapi Star (12/1), Roxanya (12/1), Dolly Dancer (25/1), Burnt Ash (40/1), Divas Doyen (100/1)

A number with chances in what looks a decidedly open mares' event. GAMESTERS ICON has proved reliable over hurdles thus far and might be the answer if she stays. Blue Hawaii, Off The Hook, who represents in-form Nick Alexander, and Millarville are also on the shortlist.