1664 Biere Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:53 | Winning time: 4m 3.00s

Isabella Bee³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 119| CD

11/4

Built on encouraging chase debut effort when taking 9-runner handicap at Worcester (16.5f) in August. Not in same form when third back at that venue but shaped as if back at the top of her game before falling at Ludlow's notoriously tricky fourth last 5 weeks ago. Remains of interest.

Form: 53213F

Ip Up²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Craig Nichol| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 115| D

7/2

Fair hurdler/chaser in France who won 2m handicap hurdles at Fakenham and Newcastle upon joining this yard. However, down the field both starts this term so has something to prove.

Form: 1426-54

Lime Drop²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 109| D

7/2

Filled the runner-up spot on 5 of her 7 starts over fences, including at Kempton on return last month. In the mix again.

Form: 23225-2

Love Tree^h,t¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: James Owen| OR: 113| D

2/1

Runner-up twice in bumpers prior to scoring readily on her Ludlow hurdles debut just before Christmas. Too free next 2 starts but a hood had the desired effect when landing 11-runner novice at Chepstow in March. Excellent second at Hereford on return and looks an interesting recruit to chasing.

Form: 21451-2

Omaha Wish^t1⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: C J Todd| T: S Allwood| OR: 103| D

40/1

Cemented positive start made over fences when landing Fakenham handicap in June. Fell at Market Rasen next time and disappointed back over hurdles at Newton Abbot a month later. Subsequently sold from Dan Skelton £1,000 in October.

Form: 433-1F7

River Robe^p1¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: James Best| T: S-J Davies| OR: 95

16/1

Modest hurdler who was well held last time. Headgear applied for chase debut.

Form: 524735

Non-Runners

Inspiratrice³¹¹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 5

T: Nicky Martin J: James Bowen

Forecasts

Love Tree (2/1), Isabella Bee (11/4), Lime Drop (7/2), Ip Up (7/2), Inspiratrice (7/1), River Robe (16/1), Omaha Wish (40/1)

ISABELLA BEE shaped as if back at the top of her game before falling at Ludlow's notoriously tricky fourth last, so is worth another chance. Lime Drop is a solid alternative, while progressive hurdler Love Tree is an interesting newcomer over fences.