Stockton RFC Womens & Girls Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 5.16s

Secret Vino³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Andrews⁽³⁾| T: T Ellis| OR: 100

16/5

Got off the mark in 2m Southwell handicap in November but had the hood left off when only fifth of 8 at Market Rasen (18.6f, good) 30 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 5P-7415

Livano Bello^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 98| BF

10/3

Still a maiden but he comes here in excellent nick, keen under 7 lb claiming rider when third of 8 over C&D 30 days ago. A player off an unchanged mark with Brian Hughes back in the saddle.

Form: 43-0223

Nellie Bluesky²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 97| D

14/1

Looked rusty after 12 months off when sixth of 9 in handicap hurdle at Kelso (18.1f, soft) 27 days ago. This fair 2m4f scorer can take a step forward here.

Form: 76/155-6

Imperial Rule^t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 92| C| D

11/1

A three-time chase winner last term for Rebecca Menzies and not discredited after 11 months off on both runs for his current yard when third (around 2m4f) in handicap chases here and at Catterick. Reverts to hurdles but no forlorn hope.

Form: 5113-33

Kaviar Wood³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams| OR: 84

11/4

Maiden pointer who posted easily his best effort in this sphere when second of 8 over C&D 30 days ago. Up 3 lb but remains with few miles on the clock so may do better still.

Form: 4-07442

National Question^p³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁷⁾| T: A Nicol| OR: 80| BF

16/5

Resumed winning ways at Newcastle (17f) in October and has continued in good nick, fifth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (15.6f, good to soft) 34 days ago. Needs considering stepping back up in trip.

Form: 24-5125

Non-Runners

Kates Choice⁶²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: Mrs N S Evans J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Kaviar Wood (11/4), National Question (16/5), Secret Vino (16/5), Livano Bello (10/3), Imperial Rule (11/1), Nellie Bluesky (14/1), Kates Choice (33/1)

LIVANO BELLO remains winless but is proving a reliable sort and can gain a deserved breakthrough success on the back of a good C&D third, with Brian Hughes now back up. Kaviar Wood advanced his form when runner-up (in front of the selection) last time out and rates the main threat ahead of National Question and Nellie Bluesky.