Robertson Homes Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase (Listed) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 6m 24.77s

Malina Girl⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 145| BF

8/1

Smart chaser who added to her tally in 13-runner handicap at Cheltenham in November. 20f over hurdles an inadequate test last month and she's a big player on these terms returned to chasing.

Form: 01F725

Riviere D'etel⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 147

11/4

Ended lengthy losing streak when beating a below-par Allegorie de Vassy by wide margin in Grade 3 at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day. Beaten by that rival at Naas next time and again found one too good in Grade 2 at Gowran. Disappointed at Cheltenham but better expected going right-handed. Up in trip.

Form: 221226

Instit²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 142

7/4

Useful chaser at best and not disgraced without threatening when fifth of 9 to Limerick Lace in Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Liberthine) at Cheltenham (20.6f, heavy). Ran right up to form when runner-up at Fairyhouse (21.6f) and now looks ready for a crack over this trip.

Form: 623452

Apple Away⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 135| D

9/4

Grade 1 winning hurdler. Quick to match that form over fences, easy winner of Leicester maiden and a solid third of 5 in Reynoldstown at Ascot (3m) in February. Shade disappointing in the National Hunt Chase but she's fancied to bounce back.

Form: 1-31235

Aubis Walk¹¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 121| D

40/1

Surpassed hurdles form at the first attempt over fences when landing 6-runner handicap at Ayr in December (20.5f). Pulled up over the same C&D a month later and this a tough race to bounce back in.

Form: 2F1P-1P

Non-Runners

Juniper⁶

Weight: 11-0| Age: 10

T: A J Honeyball J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Instit (7/4), Apple Away (9/4), Riviere D'etel (11/4), Malina Girl (8/1), Juniper (12/1), Aubis Walk (40/1)

MALINA GIRL's performances at Cheltenham during the latter part of 2023 mark her down as the one to beat on these terms and with her latest hurdles run easy to ignore, she's fancied to add to her tally. The return to a right-handed track will suit Riviere D'etel and she is a big threat, with Apple Away and Instit the other dangers.