South West Rail Solutions Ltd Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 4m 39.56s

Ascending Lark²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 117| D

4/6

Made it 3-3 over hurdles since joining Harry Derham when seeing off 4 rivals in 17f Newcastle handicap on reappearance 24 days ago. Would have been a more convincing winner but for mistakes at the last 2 flights and likely still well treated after a 4 lb rise.

Form: 237/11-1

Shantwopointfive¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 114

11/8

Irish point winner who landed a 2¾m Cartmel maiden hurdle last May. Only fifth in Leicester handicap on her return in December but resumed her progression when readily seeing off 10 rivals in 20.5f Southwell handicap 18 days ago. Likely more to come but shorter trip now asks a different question.

Form: 12-2151

Presenting Nelly^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Shane Fenelon⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs A M Thorpe| OR: 97| D

25/1

Disappointing in 4 outings since a promising reappearance, the last 2 for new trainer Alison Thorpe.

Form: 7-60P05

Non-Runners

Masked Dance²⁹

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: Mrs M Rowley J: Charlie Deutsch

Forecasts

Ascending Lark (4/6), Shantwopointfive (11/8), Masked Dance (11/2), Presenting Nelly (25/1)

ASCENDING LARK can make light of a 4 lb rise and extend her unbeaten record since joining Harry Derham to 4. Shantwopointfive also brings a progressive profile but does need to prove she's as effective over this shorter trip, a comment which also applies to Masked Dance.