15:45 Stratford

Sunday 23 April 2023

All13:4514:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:4517:15

Mary Kendrick Memorial Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 4m 6.30s

Stopherandgo²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Claire Harris| OR: 111

11/1

Wincanton novice hurdle winner before posting a very good second of 12 in novice at Ludlow (15.8f, good to soft) 20 days ago. Goes into handicaps now but others look better treated at these weights.

Form: 4P2P12

Minelladestination^p⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 104| D

5/1

Fair winning hurdler who wasn't disgraced in first-time cheekpieces when fourth of 7 in 2m Doncaster handicap last month. Not ruled out off a 2 lb lower mark with headgear retained.

Form: 23-4P24

Ayr Of Elegance^b¹⁹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 100| C| D

25/1

Course winner who was a below-par second of 3 in handicap chase at Hereford (20.9f) 6 months ago. Needs to hit the ground running back over hurdles after her lay-off.

Form: 331242

Manimole³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 98

10/3

Fair maiden hurdler who wasn't digraced when fading fifth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Warwick (19f, soft) 32 days ago. Shortlisted with this return to a shorter trip a likely plus.

Form: 36255

Malina Ocarina²⁸⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: K Brogan| T: G Hanmer| OR: 93| BF| D

15/2

In good nick when last seen out in the summer, second of 6 to Ayr of Elegance in handicap hurdle here 9 months ago. Goes well fresh so she's very much one to consider.

Form: F41-242

Luna Dora^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 82| D

15/8

Made light of a five-month absence and a bad mistake at halfway when readily landing 8-runner handicap hurdle at Fakenham (16f, soft) 13 days ago. Hiked up 9 lb (including 2 lb out of the handicap) but expected to be bang there.

Form: 447221

Born To Please^p³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 82| BF| D

13/2

It's now 15 runs since her last win in 2019 but she arrives in decent nick, fourth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (15.8f, soft) 36 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 72-2524

Miss Fedora¹⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 87

33/1

Made an encouraging start to her career when second at Fontwell in September but subsequent efforts have represented steps in the wrong direction.

Form: 23P7

Bay Sam Bella¹¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Mr James Jeavons⁽⁷⁾| T: A Gibbons| OR: 71

100/1

Uninspiring record between the flags and much the same in 3 starts over hurdles to date.

Form: UP4-P86

Non-Runners

Fancy Stuff³²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Luna Dora (15/8), Manimole (10/3), Minelladestination (5/1), Fancy Stuff (5/1), Born To Please (13/2), Malina Ocarina (15/2), Stopherandgo (11/1), Ayr Of Elegance (25/1), Miss Fedora (33/1), Bay Sam Bella (100/1)

LUNA DORA took her form up a notch after an absence when going in at Fakenham last time and looks weighted to follow up despite having to race off a 9 lb higher mark here. Malina Ocarina was in good order when last seen out in the summer and goes well fresh so is next on the list, with Minelladestination weighted to have a say too in an open handicap.