13:50 Cheltenham

Friday 9 December 2022

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

CF Roberts Electrical & Mechanical Services Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 5m 14.88s

Fortunes Melody^p,t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: D A Jacob| T: H Fry| OR: 125| BF

11/1

Useful hurdler in France who ended frustrating run of seconds for present yard with small-field victories over hurdles/fences at up to 20f this autumn. Found hat-trick beyond her from 3 lb higher mark at Uttoxeter latest but expected to give it another good shot.

Form: 22-2113

Legends Ryde^p,t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 125

7/1

Gained third small-field victory over fences at Fontwell (21.6f) in April. Has faced with stiff tasks and not figured either start this winter but fitness won't have been done any harm and this rates more suitable.

Form: 5411-33

Her Indoors³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 122| C

6/1

Fairly useful hurdler, dual juvenile winner in 2021. Raced just 4 times in that sphere last term (below best) and not a great deal of short-term encouragement to glean from last month's return/chase debut at Bangor. More required now handicapping in this sphere.

Form: 1/5543-5

Gazette Bourgeoise²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Bryan Carver| T: B I Case| OR: 122

6/1

Likeable mare who scored twice over hurdles last season and whilst flattered to finish as close as she did when runner-up on return/chase debut at Uttoxeter (22.5f) 4 weeks ago, it's feasible to think she can build on that here.

Form: 41244-2

Hawthorn Cottage^p,t³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 119| C| D

6/1

Run out a dominant winner over fences at Kempton (20.5f) 13 months ago. Mixed bag thereafter but back to best from much-reduced mark when making all at Warwick (20f) 38 days ago. Respected if arriving in same form despite 7 lb higher mark.

Form: 56524-1

Whatsdastory^b³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 118| D

66/1

Well prepared following 6 months off to land 3-runner mares' handicap at Hereford (20.8f) in October but she was well held in remote second and failed to complete at Kempton (20.5f) subsequently. May find a few too good.

Form: 3454-1R

Madera Mist^t⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 108| CD

25/1

Ran out 33/1 winner of this race from 11 lb lower mark 2 years ago and sole success since came over 26f here back in the spring. Has been some way below best in 2 outings over hurdles/fences so far this autumn, though.

Form: 2931-7P

Marta Des Mottes^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 108

4/1

Dual hurdles winner in France and matched the pick of her form over fences (in cheekpieces) when running out an emphatic winner at Southwell (15.8f) 2 starts back. Good second in deeper contest at Chepstow since and likely she's more to offer over fences.

Form: 36-4512

Electric Annie³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: R Walford| OR: 108| D

11/2

Fair, dual winner over hurdles (at up to 21.3f) last season and likely she'll strip fitter for last month's return/chase debut second effort for new yard at Kempton (20.5f). Entitled to improve.

Form: 72115-2

Dame du Soir²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 100

8/1

Rather lost her way following a bright return last season and whilst she's finished runner-up both starts this winter, her latest Plumpton effort 25 days ago was a pretty laboured display. Mark has eased a little more at least.

Form: 453P-22

Forecasts

Marta Des Mottes (4/1), Electric Annie (11/2), Gazette Bourgeoise (6/1), Her Indoors (6/1), Hawthorn Cottage (6/1), Legends Ryde (7/1), Dame du Soir (8/1), Fortunes Melody (11/1), Madera Mist (25/1), Whatsdastory (66/1)

Having run out an emphatic winner on chase debut at Southwell, MARTA DES MOTTES emerged with plenty of credit when runner-up in a much deeper race at Chepstow 3 weeks ago, finding only an unexposed sort too strong. She earns the vote to prove her mark a workable one now stepping back up in trip, with easy Warwick scorer Hawthorn Cottage and Gazette Bourgeoise others to consider. Electric Annie isn't dismissed lightly either.