Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 4m 36.67s

Midnight Callisto^t¹⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 109

16/5

Opened account over hurdles at Exeter in February and back on track when winning mares' handicap at Stratford (16.3f) in April. Made a late blunder when third at Kempton on her latest outing in May. Respected on her return.

Form: 23151-3

Molliana^p,t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 108| CD

9/2

Likeable mare who is pretty prolific in Jersey, completing hat-trick at Les Landes in June. After a spell on the Flat, good effort back hurdling when fourth at Hereford last month and last year's winner of this race can go well again.

Form: 16-1114

Choral Work^p1⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| OR: 106| C

15/2

Built on promising hurdling debut (for Ellmarie Holden) when scoring in novice here (16.5f) in February. Runner-up next 2 starts but disappointing in handicaps both outings since. Needs to bounce back in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 2122-54

Tibbie Dunbar²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: David Noonan| T: W S Kittow| OR: 106| BF

10/1

Has taken well to hurdling, showing much-improved form when off the mark on handicap debut at Exeter (16.7f) in November last year. Run best excused next time and has since gained a first success on the level. Major player.

Form: 75/2216-

Diplomatie⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Miss Victoria Malzard⁽⁷⁾| T: O Sherwood| OR: 106

33/1

Fair on Flat in France (stays 13f) and has run to a similar level in 3 starts over hurdles, winning a claimer at Nimes in September. Well held in similar event last time though. First run for yard after leaving D. Satalia as she makes handicap bow.

Form: 7

Love Actually³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁵⁾| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 99| CD

13/8

Winning pointer who left previous hurdling form behind when scoring on handicap debut at this C&D in January. Looked rusty after 6 months off when sixth at Worcester (20f) last month. Could do better with that run behind her.

Form: 56153-6

Sweet Nightingale¹⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: P Gundry| OR: 98| D

7/1

Off the mark in mares' handicap at Newton Abbot (18.5f) in May and not seen to best effect when down the field there when last seen the following month. Needs to find more on her return to action.

Form: 53-1337

Forecasts

Love Actually (13/8), Midnight Callisto (16/5), Molliana (9/2), Sweet Nightingale (7/1), Choral Work (15/2), Tibbie Dunbar (10/1), Diplomatie (33/1)

TIBBIE DUNBAR showed much-improved form when making a successful handicap hurdle debut at Exeter a year ago, prior to whipping round at the start on her next outing. She arrives fit from the Flat so is taken to resume her progress back over hurdles, though Molliana is respected as she bids to follow up last year's win in this race. Midnight Callisto completes the shortlist.