Cecil & Sheila Buttifant Memorial Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:58 | Winning time: 3m 55.91s

Billams Legacy⁴⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 99| D

7/1

Bumper winner who has often proved a bit headstrong for her own good over hurdles but she did go very close in novice company at Catterick (2m, soft) when last seen in December 2022. This sharp test could suit now handicapping but the 15-month absence has to be a slight worry.

Form: 4352/22-

Omaha Wish¹⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 99

7/1

Point winner and in the frame in novice hurdles at Bangor and Hereford this term. Potential improver for her top stable now handicapping after a break.

Form: 139-34

Glance At Me⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J Martin⁽⁵⁾| T: Andrew Martin| OR: 87| BF| D

7/2

Won 2m handicaps at Lingfield and Plumpton last spring. Pulled up back from a break on Boxing Day but quickly returned to form when runner-up back at Plumpton in January. Has run well here before.

Form: 122-1P2

Sawpit Sienna^p,t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 87| C| D

13/2

Proved at least as good as ever when successful in 13-runner mares' handicap at Taunton (for second consecutive season) in January but tailed off when falling next time and remote third at Wincanton since. Has a bit to prove all of a sudden.

Form: 8741F3

Vision Of Hope^h²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Dylan Whelan⁽⁷⁾| T: S Pearce| OR: 87| D

16/5

Recorded narrow successes at Huntingdon and Market Rasen for James Owen last summer. In reasonable form on AW Flat for new yard this year and has dipped back to only 1 lb above her last successful mark now back hurdling.

Form: 212609

Rebel Angel^p1,t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: D Pipe| OR: 88

11/1

Fair 5-time Flat winner who has been well held in 3 qualifying runs over hurdles this winter but no surprise were she to prove a different proposition in handicaps. Market confidence would look significant with first-time cheekpieces added to a refitted tongue strap.

Form: 598

Bleue Verte^t⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: G Sheehan| T: R Hobson| OR: 79WS

4/1

Shaped better than the result when fifth of 15 on her 19.5f Hereford handicap hurdle debut in January but weakened quickly at Catterick the following month (had wind op since). Keen goer so this sharp 2m could help.

Form: 5-505P

Forecasts

Vision Of Hope (16/5), Glance At Me (7/2), Bleue Verte (4/1), Sawpit Sienna (13/2), Billams Legacy (7/1), Omaha Wish (7/1), Rebel Angel (11/1)

A chance is taken on REBEL ANGEL who should have scope off this opening hurdle mark judged on her Flat ability. David Pipe has his team in form and confidence in this 4-y-os chance would increase should the betting vibes be strong. Omaha Wish is another handicap newcomer in good hands and is second choice ahead of the more-established Glance At Me.