Corona Mares' Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 4m 13.6s

Durragh¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 94

8/15

Opened her account in convincing fashion at Perth in April and made a light of a 7 lb rise as she followed up by a similar margin there (16.2f) 12 days ago. Hit with 9 lb rise but that may not be enough to prevent the hat-trick.

Form: 45651-1

Optical Girl⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 86

22/1

Showed her first form over hurdles when fourth at Chepstow in March, seen to good effect by a change of tactics. Failed to repeat that effort at Exeter though, so bounced back needed on handicap debut.

Form: 5/P7048-

Simply Red¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 81

7/2

Easy to back and looked a hard ride on first run since leaving Oliver Greenall when seventh of 13 in handicap hurdle at Worcester (16f, good) 19 days ago.

Form: 84534-7

Iroseaboveitall²⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 63

9/2

No sign of ability so far but now goes handicapping for new yard following a break and may do better. Market useful.

Form: 7090-

Non-Runners

Ivy Avenue²⁰

Weight: 10-9| Age: 5

T: W Greatrex J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Durragh (8/15), Simply Red (7/2), Iroseaboveitall (9/2), Ivy Avenue (14/1), Optical Girl (22/1)

DURRAGH is on the upgrade and a 9 lb rise for his latest success may not be enough to prevent the hat-trick in another weak race. Iroseaboveitall has yet to show any ability but could improve now going handicapping for a new stable following a break.