16:05 Perth

Wednesday 26 April 2023

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0516:35

Canine Partners Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 4m 58.28s

Holly Hartingo³⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: A Ralph| OR: 118

13/2

Promising start under Rules last term, winning a pair of mares' novices hurdles at around 21f on first 2 outings. However, well held on latest start in a Newbury Grade 2 last spring and while her sights are lowered now, she looks vulnerable under top-weight.

Form: 62/1137-

Autumn Return³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 112

3/1

Point/bumper winner who landed mares' novice hurdles at Market Rasen in September and Catterick in December, both at around 2m. Not disgraced switched to handicaps the last twice and possibilities now faced with a stiffer test.

Form: 146124

Notnowlinda³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 110

6/1

Winning Irish pointer who notched second success in this sphere at Catterick in December. Latest third off a 1 lb higher mark at Kelso (16.2f, soft) was creditable but she has failed to make an impact on both previous attempts over this trip.

Form: 3-17163

Martalindy¹⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 108| D

16/1

Caused a huge surprise when a 50/1 winner of a 4-runner mares' maiden at Huntingdon in October. Held back by several mistakes when second of 3 back there later that month, though, and improvement needed now handicapping following a break.

Form: 359-B12

Starlyte^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: P W Wadge⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 104| D

3/1

Made a winning return to hurdles for new yard over this trip at Newcastle in November. Latest fifth off 11 at Musselburgh (23.8f, good to soft) was in a Class 2 handicap and she's one to consider back down in trip off 2 lb lower here.

Form: 3-51345

Headscarf Lil⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 99| BF| D

8/1

Dual winner last term and left reappearance effort behind when chasing Starlyte home at Newcastle in November. Again found just one too good at Doncaster next time but needs to bounce back following a pretty disappointing display at Ayr last month.

Form: 4D-6225

Maimie's Magic²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Mr Stephen Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 98

12/1

Belied odds of 33/1 when making a winning handicap bow at Kelso (2¼m, heavy) at December. Proved that to be no fluke when following up at Newcastle next time and subsequent defeats can be excused, so she's one to consider.

Form: 051166

Rockonsoph^h,t⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Dobbin| OR: 95

6/1

Successful sole start between the flags and stepped up on low-key handicap debut effort when chasing home easy winner Animore at Ayr (21.4f, good to firm) in a first-time tongue strap. Eased 2 lb since and likely to be in the mix if able to build on that with the hood refitted here.

Form: 1-3492

Forecasts

Autumn Return (3/1), Starlyte (3/1), Notnowlinda (6/1), Rockonsoph (6/1), Holly Hartingo (13/2), Headscarf Lil (8/1), Maimie's Magic (12/1), Martalindy (16/1)

This looks pretty trappy and the suggestion is STARLYTE, who acquitted herself well in a higher-grade handicap at Musselburgh last month and both this drop back in trip and 2 lb lower mark will help. Maimie's Magic shouldn't be judged too harshly on her last 2 starts and remains of interest having made a good start in handicaps but Rockonsoph is second choice on the back of a creditable effort at Ayr. Autumn Return is also shortlisted now upped in trip.