Hadwins EBF Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 4m 2.1s

Merry Poppins^b,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 124

6/4

Consistent sort who comes here at the top of her game, third in big field at Haydock (3m) 2 weeks ago, yet to be asked for effort when all but coming down 3 out. Went with plenty of zest then and big player down in trip back in calmer waters.

Form: 52722-3

Pearl Of The West^p,t¹⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Ben Harvey⁽³⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 119| D

9/1

Fairly useful performer at best but she made no impact on Flat/over hurdles last year and absent since finishing well held on the level at Dundalk in January. Betting may prove a useful guide.

Form: 080568/

Magical Maggie³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁷⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 115| D

5/2

Dual bumper scorer who left opening hurdles exploits behind last winter when off the mark in a mares' novice at Ludlow (15.7f) last month. Stepped up further when runner-up under a penalty at Perth (16.2f) subsequently and of interest again now handicapping.

Form: 119512-

Wicklow Flyer^p²⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 112

66/1

Fair winning hurdler in Ireland, landing a Bellewstown claimer on final start for Gordon Elliott in August. However, well held in 2 starts over hurdles/fences for Shark Hanlon thereafter and starts out for new yard with a good bit to prove.

Form: 75P10P-

Blue Hawaii^t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: T Collier| OR: 108

5/2

Bumper/hurdles winner who tasted success over fences at Sedgefield (19.3f) in March. Highlighted her versatility in adding victory on Flat to her tally at Nottingham (14f, heavy) earlier this month and no surprise to see her give another good account back over timber.

Form: 2/2921U-

Forecasts

Merry Poppins (6/4), Magical Maggie (5/2), Blue Hawaii (5/2), Pearl Of The West (9/1), Wicklow Flyer (66/1)

MERRY POPPINS drops back markedly in trip but the way she travelled when third at Haydock (3m) latest suggests that will pose no fears and she gets the narrow vote to deservedly get back to winning ways. Magical Maggie is going the right way in this sphere and rates the chief threat, ahead of Blue Hawaii.