In Association With Xtratherm & MDM CRS Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 3m 34.10s

Fiveandtwenty¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 122

4/1

Landed hat-trick of Musselburgh juvenile hurdle wins last winter and back to that sort of form when runner-up in handicap at that venue (15.5f) 2 starts back. Below form at Hereford subsequently but bounce back very likely.

Form: 37-7424

Shirocco's Dream^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 114

17/2

£260,000 purchase who landed an Exeter mares' novice in November and followed up on handicap bow at Sandown (19.8f). Some way below that level both starts since, albeit 3m was possibly taxing her stamina at Newbury last month.

Form: 53-1167

Yauthym^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 112

5/1

Well-served coming off an overly-strong gallop when resuming winning ways at Hereford (2m) in November. Similar form when third at Huntingdon (15.8f) 24 days ago, keeping on. Should give another good account.

Form: 345133

Merry Mistress²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: C J Todd⁽³⁾| T: David Dennis| OR: 106

7/4

Bumper winner who arrives having doubled her hurdles tally in a mares' handicap at Doncaster (16.5f) earlier this month. 4 lb higher now but she rates a live player in present groove.

Form: 314321

Sarceaux¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 97

3/1

Fair Flat winner in France who finally came good over hurdles in 2m Kempton handicap (2m) in February, edging ahead dying strides. Similar form when third at Taunton (16.5f) 16 days ago and she should go well again.

Form: F4U213

Forecasts

Merry Mistress (7/4), Sarceaux (3/1), Fiveandtwenty (4/1), Yauthym (5/1), Shirocco's Dream (17/2)

MERRY MISTRESS arrives at the top of her game, scoring in good style at Doncaster earlier this month, and she can make a bold bid to defy a 4 lb higher mark. Fiveandtwenty and Sarceaux are others fancied to get involved.