Houghton Mares' Chase (Listed) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 5m 14.27s

Zambella¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 140| BF| D

2/1

Useful chaser who shaped as if as good as ever when runner-up on return at Market Rasen (23.9f, good to soft) earlier this month, just not having the stamina to see off a less-exposed one. Landed this contest when transferred to Aintree last year so she has to be respected.

Form: 12143-2

Riviere D'etel¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 149| BF

8/11

Smart chaser who won her first 3 outings over fences last season. However she failed to meet expectations on her first start outside of novice company returning in a Grade 2 at Navan earlier this month but this 5-y-o may well have too much class for her rivals today.

Form: 12253-2

Annie Mc^p³⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 144| D

6/1

On the up in 2020/21 season, recording victories in 20f listed mares' events at Doncaster and Warwick. Last seen when runner-up to Zambella in this corresponding event at Aintree 12 months ago and having clearly had her issues, fitness must be taken on trust.

Form: 97511/2-

Maid O'Malley²²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 125| BF| C| D

28/1

Has thrived since front-running tactics have been adopted, winning mares' handicaps at Wetherby and at this track earlier in the year. In process of running well when falling 2 out in Mares' Chase at Cheltenham Festival but not so good at Haydock in April. Looks out of her depth.

Form: 2211F5-

Forecasts

Riviere D'etel (8/11), Zambella (2/1), Annie Mc (6/1), Maid O'Malley (28/1)

RIVIERE D'ETEL quickly developed into a smart chaser last season and Gordon Elliott looks to have found a fine opportunity for his mare to resume winning ways dropped into listed company today. Zambella and Annie Mc finished 1-2 in this corresponding event when switched to Aintree last season so they're fancied to chase the Irish-raider home in that order.