16:15 Southwell

Monday 12 June 2023

All14:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:5017:25

Royal Ascot Tips On attheraces.com Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 5m 20.45s

Maria Magdalena³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 95

6/1

On a long losing run and while she was placed on several occasions last year, it's hard to draw too many positives from her effort at Market Rasen, even allowing for that fact that she was returning from a 6-month break.

Form: 33335-8

Midnight Gold^p²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: H Cobden| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 95

9/1

Winless following 8 attempts over hurdles but should put that right before long judged on latest Fontwell (21.8f, good to firm) second in first-time cheekpieces. Up 3 lb but player with Harry Cobden again aboard.

Form: 40/3U5-2

Malina Ocarina¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: G Hanmer| OR: 93| CD

5/4

Landed a gamble when notching third career success over this C&D (good) 19 days ago. 5 lb rise tolerable and slick-jumping will stand her in good stead, so she's a must for the shortlist with conditions again in her favour.

Form: 2425-41

Faerie Cutlass^t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 90| D

9/2

Clearly benefited from the fitting of a tongue strap and step up to 2½m when proving ¾-length too strong for Mrs Kinsella at Worcester (good) recently. It's likely to be close between them once more but, unlike the runner-up, this mare remains open to improvement.

Form: 76570-1

Mrs Kinsella^p,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Finn Lambert⁽⁵⁾| T: R Potter| OR: 88

9/2

Another maiden who should get her head in front at some point soon judged on her recent effort at Worcester where she was collared close home by the re-opposing Faerie Cutlass. That said, she will do well to reverse the placings with Kim Bailey's unexposed representative.

Form: 0837-52

Shee's A Stella¹⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 79

66/1

Very little to shout about in a trio of runs over hurdles for Debra Hamer and transformation needed now going handicapping for new yard.

Form: 5/060P9-

Bella Ciao^p1⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Atkins⁽¹⁰⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 76WS

20/1

Has failed to improve on what she showed in maiden/novice company switched to handicaps the last twice, and hopes now pinned on the addition of cheekpieces sparking improvement. Has undergone a wind op since latest start.

Form: 0874P9-

Blitz Spirit^b1,t1²⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 75WS

25/1

Fair performer on the Flat in France but she has yet to make a meaningful impact in this sphere, for all that she has a couple of half-decent efforts to her name. Has undergone a wind op and now tried in blinkers and a tongue strap.

Form: 643657-

Forecasts

Malina Ocarina (5/4), Faerie Cutlass (9/2), Mrs Kinsella (9/2), Maria Magdalena (6/1), Midnight Gold (9/1), Bella Ciao (20/1), Blitz Spirit (25/1), Shee's A Stella (66/1)

FAERIE CUTLASS left her previous efforts well behind upped to this trip in a first-time tongue strap at Worcester where she reeled Mrs Kinsella in close home. A 3 lb rise for that looks very fair indeed and, with the strong possibility of better to come, she is taken to get the better of the latter once again. Recent C&D scorer Malina Ocarina and Midnight Gold, who arguably posted her best effort yet at Fontwell last time, are others with claims.