Mortimer Equine Vets Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 5m 6.47s

Marada²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 115

5/1

Progressed well over hurdles during 2020/21 as she won novices at Hereford and Huntingdon (twice). However, absent 22 months following that campaign and struggled to make an impact in 4 starts last season. Needs this switch to chasing to spark a revival.

Form: 12/0077-

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Mulberry Hill^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 114| D

10/3

Doubled her tally on the back of a wind op at Carlisle in October and was possibly in need of the outing after 6 months off at Cheltenham (20.2f, good) 24 days ago. Previously placed in Irish points so that augurs well for this chasing debut.

Form: 245168-

Whatsdastory^b¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 112

13/2

Hereford winner (20.9f) in October and she comes here having hit the crossbar on each of her last 3 starts in small field mares' handicaps. Entitled to be thereabouts again operating from a slightly lower mark.

Form: R64222-

Lime Drop²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Stan Sheppard| T: H D Daly| OR: 112

9/2

Five-time winner in 2021/22 and back to form when runner-up at Newbury on New Year's Eve. Not in the same form on both subsequent starts and the market can guide expectations now sent over the larger obstacles.

Form: 14/8290-

Maid On The Moon⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: H Cobden| T: A King| OR: 100| D

10/3

Sole success came at Huntingdon 14 months ago. Best effort in handicaps last term when runner-up at Doncaster (19.4f, good) 3 months ago (unlucky to bump into one so far ahead of their mark) and booking of Cobden is a positive for this chasing bow.

Form: 13/9372-

Lost Connections^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: G Sheehan| T: Katy Price| OR: 100

9/2

Still looking for first success after 8 attempts (tried over a variety of trips) but fared about as well as could have been expected from 19 lb out of the handicap after 4 months off when third at Cheltenham (16.3f, good) last month.

Form: 742453-

Non-Runners

Our Bill's Aunt²⁹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 7

T: A M Hales J: Harry Bannister

Forecasts

Maid On The Moon (10/3), Mulberry Hill (10/3), Our Bill's Aunt (7/2), Lost Connections (9/2), Lime Drop (9/2), Marada (5/1), Whatsdastory (13/2)

Tough to be bullish with the majority making their chasing debuts, MULBERRY HILL selected to make a winning start in this sphere having previously been placed in a couple of Irish points in 2021 and Fergal O'Brien's charge should step up on her recent Cheltenham outing after 6 months off. Our Bill's Aunt won her sole start in points, so she's put forward as the main threat, ahead of the experienced Whatsdastory.