Cazoo Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:40 | Winning time: 5m 2.10s

Pillar Of Steel^p⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: J E Moore| T: J L Spearing| OR: 115| BF| C

10/3

Won 5 times from 8 starts last season and proving ultra-consistent this term, hitting the crossbar on her last 3 outings over 2m here. Should be as least as effective at this trip so she's one to take seriously.

Form: 13-8222

Mulberry Hill^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 113| BF| CD

2/1

C&D around this time last year who arrives in good form, not having the race run to suit when fourth of 5 at Uttoxeter (23.3f, good to soft) last month. Back down in trip today and a bold showing is on the cards.

Form: 12-4224

Jaunty Soria^p¹⁰³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 106| CD

4/1

Ended last year in good form and picked up where she left off after a 5-month absence when scoring over C&D in May. Up 6 lb for that and fancied to be in the mix provided she's ready to roll.

Form: 41P22-1

We'llgowats⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: David Noonan| T: L O'Brien| OR: 100| D

11/1

Improved to get off the mark on just her second run in a handicap at Cork early last month, staying on to lead close home. Will need to raise her game to get involved but she may have more to offer.

Form: 7/583-01

Branson Missouri⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: T Scudamore| T: S Lycett| OR: 98

5/2

Continues in decent heart, third on her first outing since leaving Harry Dunlop at this course (23f, good to soft) 8 days ago. Each-way claims back down in trip.

Form: 25-4243

Night Fever^p³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Page Fuller| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 92WS

33/1

One-time fairly useful performer on the level when trained in Germany but just modest form so far over hurdles, fifth sporting first-time cheekpieces in maiden at this course (16f, good) last month. Type to do better in handicaps and has had a breathing operation.

Form: 365

Non-Runners

Cluain Aodha¹⁴

Weight: 11-1| Age: 5

T: N B King J: J M Quinlan

Forecasts

Mulberry Hill (2/1), Branson Missouri (5/2), Pillar Of Steel (10/3), Jaunty Soria (4/1), Cluain Aodha (5/1), We'llgowats (11/1), Night Fever (33/1)

The eye is drawn to those at the top of the weights, with PILLAR OF STEEL fancied to regain the winning thread back up to 2½m and go one better than on her last 3 outings at this track. Mulberry Hill was unable to make much of an impact in a tactical handicap at Uttoxeter last month but Fergal O'Brien's charge is put forward as the main danger today, ahead of Jaunty Soria, who made light of a 5-month absence when scoring over C&D back in May.