15:27 Stratford

Monday 18 August 2025

All14:2714:5715:2715:5716:2717:0017:35

George & Dragon Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:27 | Winning time: 5m 19.87s

Faerie Cutlass^p1,t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 95

8/1

In good form last autumn, recording a win at Ludlow. Not quite so good in the spring and parted company with her rider early on chase debut last time. Cheekpieces go on returned to hurdling.

Form: 213P-4U

Lyness Dancer²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Andrews⁽³⁾| T: T Ellis| OR: 87

16/5

Lightly-raced mare who looked an improved performer when making a winning start for new yard in 25f Huntingdon handicap in May. Viable excuses for subsequent no show at Fakenham and not disgraced last time at Worcester, so holds frame claims.

Form: 53P-1P4

Hurst Hill²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 87| BF| D

11/4

Back to her best to win 8-runner handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot (21.6f, good, 15/2) in July, pulling clear with runner-up. Another good effort when runner-up here (26.4f, soft) 29 days ago and will be high on the shortlist again.

Form: 5-98312

Another Pearl^t1²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: James Bowen| T: G Nicholls| OR: 82

11/1

Signs of ability in bumpers but has looked green in of novice/maiden hurdles over the summer. Opening mark looks harsh but any market support would be of note stepping up markedly in trip. Tongue strap on for 1st time.

Form: 6/565-58

Barely Famous^t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph| OR: 79

11/4

Runner-up 4 times on the bounce in points during the spring and stepped forward from her yard debut when a ½-length second of 16 to Cinderello in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (23.3f, good, 11/1) 33 days ago, some way clear of the rest. Looks competitive on form.

Form: 22-2252

Polly Pi²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 78

11/1

In frame on the second of 2 starts in bumpers but has looked decidely limited otherwise.

Form: 0079P-8

Miz Klimt²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: S Grantham⁽¹⁰⁾| T: J Coulson| OR: 82

66/1

Only poor form when making the frame in 2 bumpers and has finished well held in novice hurdles. Has attracted support previously so probably best watched in the betting making handicap debut over a markedly longer trip.

Form: 74-3649

Varinia^p,t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Reed| T: S Edmunds| OR: 75

8/1

Patchy form this summer but was able to record a narrow success in a 5-runner race at Fakenham in June. Not so good at Uttoxeter last time and others seem more solid on balance.

Form: 0020-1P

Non-Runners

Cinderello³³

Weight: 10-11| Age: 5

T: A M Hales J: Bryan Carver

Forecasts

Hurst Hill (11/4), Barely Famous (11/4), Cinderello (11/4), Lyness Dancer (16/5), Varinia (8/1), Faerie Cutlass (8/1), Polly Pi (11/1), Another Pearl (11/1), Miz Klimt (66/1)

CINDERELLO was just out of the weights when making a winning handicap debut at Uttoxeter last time and remains unexposed, so gets the nod ahead over the in-form Hurst Hill. Barely Famous, a close second to the selection last time, completes the shortlist.