Hadwins Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 4m 12.10s

Bellaney Gem^p1,t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 110| CD

8/1

C&D mares' novice winner last summer who hit the frame next 3 starts including in handicaps from higher marks. Best effort of present campaign when fourth over 22f back here in June and drop back in trip will hold no fears.

Form: 356-644

Millie The Minx^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 104| CD

11/2

Consistent over hurdles, enhancing her record when landing this race from a 4 lb lower mark 12 months ago. Fairly low-key efforts on Flat since the spring so switch back to hurdles needs to bring about a resurgence.

Form: 171/21F-

Redwood Queen²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N C Kelly| OR: 94

11/4

Showed little in a bumper/trio of maiden hurdles but much more like it on third handicap start when 3 lengths second of 10 in a C&D event 3 weeks ago. That may not prove her limit and she still has 2½m+ to explore.

Form: 0008-92

Simply Red^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 92| BF| D

9/4

Showed ability for Oliver Greenall and off the mark at second attempt for new yard at Bangor (16.6f) in May, forging clear. Has run well twice since, runner-up in first-time cheekpieces (retained here) at Southwell (15.8f) 3 weeks ago. Can go well again.

Form: 34-7122

Calliope^b²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 82| BF| C| D

11/4

Hasn't looked the force she was last year but her mark reflects that and she arrives having gone with more zest when 5.5 lengths third of 10 over C&D 3 weeks ago (Redwood Queen second). Certainly no forlorn hope.

Form: 78-4573

Non-Runners

Fire Lake⁶

Weight: 11-9| Age: 5

T: M F Harris J: Bradley Harris

Forecasts

Fire Lake (6/4), Simply Red (9/4), Redwood Queen (11/4), Calliope (11/4), Millie The Minx (11/2), Bellaney Gem (8/1)

Plenty arrive with claims in the finale and it may just pay to side with recent Stratford maiden scorer FIRE LAKE. Milton Harris' mare was value for extra over the bare result on that occasion and, now handicapping, it would come as no surprise to see her firmly in the mix once more. 4-y-o Simply Red similarly arrives in good heart and is feared, along with Redwood Queen.