Virgin Bet Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 4m 19.45s

Gilbertina³¹⁹

14/1

Gained deserved first victory in juvenile company over C&D in March, albeit with the run of the race. Brushed aside at Market Rasen a month later and mark looks high back from a wind op.

Form: 325214-

Auditoria³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 107

17/2

Fair maiden on the Flat and a similar standard over hurdles, coming good in 2m Catterick novice over Christmas. Never able to land a blow when fifth under an inexperienced rider at Uttoxeter.

Form: 2-2U215

Midnight Callisto^p,t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 105| D

6/5

Bumper winner who finally got it right over hurdles in maiden company at Exeter a month ago. Mark unchanged back in a handicap so follow-up may well be on the cards.

Form: 8-64231

Merry Mistress¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: C J Todd⁽³⁾| T: David Dennis| OR: 102

13/8

Bumper winner who opened her account over hurdles in a Hereford handicap in November, doing it readily. Shaped well all 3 starts since and she's clearly very competitive at this level.

Form: 331432

Getbazoutofhere^h⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: T R Gretton| OR: 96

12/1

Appeals as the type to do better in handicaps but opening mark certainly demands it and she's 2 lb out of the weights here.

Form: 4593

Non-Runners

Fiveandtwenty²⁷

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: D McCain Jnr J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Midnight Callisto (6/5), Merry Mistress (13/8), Fiveandtwenty (11/4), Auditoria (17/2), Getbazoutofhere (12/1), Gilbertina (14/1)

MIDNIGHT CALLISTO is finally getting her act together over hurdles and given the assessor hasn't reacted to her easy novice win a month ago, further success beckons. Merry Mistress doesn't do a great deal off the bridle but is clearly very competitive at this level and is feared most.