SBK Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 111| C

Much improved (after wind operation) when taking 14-runner novice hurdle (14/1) at this course (16.6f, soft) 29 days ago, pushed out. Worth another crack at this longer trip and must enter calculations on handicap debut.

Form: 2-7691

Kay Tara Tara²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 110

Made a successful debut in this sphere at Huntingdon in October and run creditably in defeat since, latest when second of 7 in handicap hurdle over C&D (soft) 29 days ago. Can make presence felt.

Form: 120-132

Gilbertina⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR: 105| C| D

Caused a 40/1 shock when winning on return at Market Rasen (18.6f) last term and back to form when second over same C&D on Boxing Day. Warrants respect.

Form: 43P-742

Hamartia^p1⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 105

Placed twice in maiden company in Ireland for Colm Murphy but offered little in a couple of starts for current yard. Headgear now reached for.

Form: 62-3F5P

Lightfoot Lady²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 105

Found improvement when third of 13 in novice hurdle at this course (16.6f, soft, 10/1) 29 days ago and likely has more to give on switch to handicapping.

Form: 1/P53

She's A Rocca^p¹²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 91

Back on scoreboard, in first-time cheekpieces, when landing 6-runner handicap hurdle at Southwell (20.4f, good to soft) in October. Just 3 lb higher now but this looks more competitive.

Form: 5176-81

Non-Runners

Lilting Verse⁵⁰

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: F O'Brien J: Tom Broughton

Midnight Shuffle¹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 9

T: W Coltherd J: Sam Coltherd

Forecasts

Lightfoot Lady (3/1), Lilting Verse (4/1), Sammy's Guarantee (9/2), Gilbertina (6/1), She's A Rocca (7/1), Kay Tara Tara (7/1), Midnight Shuffle (10/1), Hamartia (20/1)

Preference is for LIGHTFOOT LADY, who progressed again when third at this course last month and remains low mileage now handicapping. Kay Tara Tara and Lilting Verse rate the principal dangers.