Houghton Mares' Chase (Listed) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:54 | Winning time: 5m 15.38s

Galia Des Liteaux^p²⁰⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 145| DWS

6/4

Low-mileage mare whose 3 chase victories have come in small fields but showed another dimension to her game when second in Classic Chase at Warwick (29.2f, soft) in January. Very respectable eighth in Grand National final start and the pick on form under a penalty in this company on return.

Form: 4/12248-

El Elefante¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 130| D

15/8

Fairly useful hurdler, scoring twice over this sort of trip last term, and made a winning start to her chasing career in novice at Worcester on return. Needs considering with more to come.

Form: 451F4-1

La Domaniale²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 131| D

14/1

Four-time winner over fences who produced somewhere near her best form when second of 5 in handicap chase (9/1) at Stratford (19.4f, good). Went off too hard next time so best not judged on that. Not out of this.

Form: 932-026

Lunar Discovery²⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR: 124

14/1

Dual bumper winner who also won first 2 starts over hurdles (both 2m Hexham) last season. Good second next 2 starts but went amiss (bled) final start. No easy task on chase bow/return.

Form: 0/1122P-

Pinot Rouge^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett| OR: 127

16/1

Successful on sole outing in Irish points and landed a 3m listed hurdle at Doncaster before posting a fine fourth in Grade 1 Sefton Hurdle at Aintree later in spring. Made an underwhelming start over fences at Hexham on return and headgear quickly re-fitted.

Form: 1/314-3

Terresita¹⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: L Wadham| OR: 125| D

5/1

Improved switched to fences last season, likely to have recorded a third success had she not fallen 2 out at Sandown final start. Not taken lightly on return.

Form: 26131-F

Non-Runners

Smiling Getaway²¹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Kielan Woods

Forecasts

Galia Des Liteaux (6/4), El Elefante (15/8), Terresita (5/1), Smiling Getaway (8/1), La Domaniale (14/1), Lunar Discovery (14/1), Pinot Rouge (16/1)

GALIA DES LITEAUX made a winning return in a similar event at Market Rasen last season before going on to have a solid campaign, and she looks the one to beat again on her comeback this time around. El Elefante and Smiling Getaway both made a bright start to their chasing careers when winning on return and are obvious threats.