Horse Racing On Another Planet Podcast Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:57 | Winning time: 5m 21.93s

Politacus^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Liam Harrison| T: F O'Brien| OR: 108

6/5

Bumper winner and also fourth in Grade 2 at Aintree last term. Left her qualifying efforts over hurdles behind when making a successful handicap debut with a tongue tie added at Huntingdon (20.5f, soft) last month, making all. Up 7 lb but fancied to be bang there again.

Form: 14-4461

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Queshi Bridge²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph| OR: 107

8/1

Lightly-raced 8-y-o who improved further on first run since leaving Edmond Kent when second of 13 in a maiden at Ludlow (21.2f, soft) in February. Ran to a similar level back down in trip on handicap debut there last month and is capable of better still (lightly raced for age).

Form: U422-23

Marmalade Time²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 107

9/2

Steadily progressive over hurdles, making it third time lucky at Doncaster (19.4f, heavy) last month, her jumping again awkward at times but nothing at all wrong with her attitude. Stiff task when well held on handicap debut (Grade 2) at Newbury recently but this more suitable.

Form: 200319

Spring Gale²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly| OR: 107

9/2

Midfield in a couple of bumpers 12 months ago and progressive over hurdles, making more impact than previously after 8 weeks off when second of 5 in novice at Chepstow (19.4f, heavy) 4 weeks ago. Sent handicapping and she could take another step forward.

Form: 87-632

Mistral Milly^h⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 106

6/1

Showed some promise in two bumpers for Alan King and is being brought along gradually over timber, catching the eye under a very patient ride when third at Taunton (19f, heavy) 45 days ago. Another who could kick on now sent handicapping.

Form: 48-443

Chase Park^h³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Reed| T: H Dickin| OR: 94

33/1

Wasn't disgraced when fourth back from 18 months off in a Huntingdon bumper in October and best effort over hurdles came when fourth of 10 in novice at Wincanton (15.2f, heavy) 38 days ago. Has since left Anthony Charlton and worth a market check on handicap debut.

Form: 4-47784

Non-Runners

River Of Joy²³⁹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: P & M Bowen J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Politacus (6/5), Spring Gale (9/2), Marmalade Time (9/2), Mistral Milly (6/1), River Of Joy (15/2), Queshi Bridge (8/1), Chase Park (33/1)

Impossible to rule out any of these but preference is for POLITACUS, who produced a performance more in keeping with her fairly useful bumper form when getting off the mark at Huntingdon last month and a 7 lb rise may not be enough to stop her from following up (runner-up that day a wide-margin winner since). Mistral Milly is open to improvement now handicapping, so she can chase the selection home, ahead of Queshi Bridge.