Weatherbys & Birdie Calendars Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 9.8s

Sacre Coeur⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 8| Weight: 12-3| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 123| D

9/2

Three-time chase scorer last season who resumed winning ways in 6-runner handicap chase at Plumpton (25.7f, good to soft) 7 days ago. Expected to be bang there under a 7 lb penalty.

Form: 304621

Ilovethenightlife²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 124| D

11/4

A fairly useful winning hurdler who made an encouraging start in this sphere when third of 5 in novice chase at Worcester (20f, heavy) 26 days ago. One to consider now going into handicaps.

Form: 51P53-3

Holly²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 122

17/2

A fairly useful winner at 17f over hurdles. Looked rusty after 6 months off when fourth of 6 in handicap chase here (18f, good to soft) on her debut over fences 22 days ago. Can build on it.

Form: 51420-4

Finest View⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 120| BF| C

5/2

Runner-up for the fourth consecutive start in handicap hurdle at Fontwell (19.1f, good) 64 days ago. Goes over fences now and a likely player for her in-form yard.

Form: 61-2222

Mulberry Hill^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 117| CD

4/1

Bagged this prize a year ago and she wasn't discredited over hurdles when third of 7 at Ludlow (21.2f, good) 33 days ago. Must enter calculations.

Form: 1P-5553

Trapista¹¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Benjamin Macey⁽¹⁰⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 115| D

10/1

Completed a hat-trick at Ludlow (20f) in May and she posted another good effort when second of 6 in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (20f, soft) in July. Can make her presence felt after a break.

Form: 601-112

Forecasts

Finest View (5/2), Ilovethenightlife (11/4), Mulberry Hill (4/1), Sacre Coeur (9/2), Holly (17/2), Trapista (10/1)

This is wide open but Dan Skelton's SACRE COEUR rates the pick of the weights under a 7 lb penalty for her Plumpton victory so edges the vote from last year's heroine Mulberry Hill. Chasing-debutante Finest View comes here in fine form from hurdling and warrants lots of respect too along with Holly and Ilovethenightlife.