Hotel Wrexham Mares' Novices' Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 3f 123y | 6 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 100| D

Handicap winner in November and has run well on last two starts, finishing second on both occasions. Second of 4 in handicap hurdle at Hereford (11/8) 11 days ago, again unlucky to bump into one with her rider quick to accept the situation. Looks capable of going close.

Form: 17P822

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Bluella Bresil^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 99

Went close in a maiden in 2024 but had a breathing operation/left Ben Pauling before going with little promise when pulled up on stable debut/reappearance at Ffos Las (25/1) 29 days ago. Gavin Sheehan takes over but remains with something to prove.

Form: 22P35/P

Voodoo Angel^p⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 92

Has consecutive runner-up finishes in handicaps. Second of 5 in 2m handicap hurdle at Catterick (9/1) a week ago, finding just one too strong and taking another step forward. Back up in trip and probably opening her account sooner rather than later.

Form: 443422

Fine As Wine¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁵⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 84

Finished in the frame on all 4 starts in Irish points earlier in career but has shown little in three runs under Rules since November. Sixth of 8 in novice hurdle at Leicester (66/1) 17 days ago, fared no better. Worth a market check making handicap debut.

Form: 243/666

Make Sunshine^h1,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: R Potter| OR: 83

Out of sorts having pulled up in both runs since returning from a 7-month break (fell heavily on comeback) and now without a win in 17 races. Booking of Sam Twiston-Davies/change of headgear offer some cause for optimism however, and she's one to note for support.

Form: 3-36FPP

Lily Grace¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 78

Lightly raced mare who showed little when tailed off 13th of 16 in novice hurdle at Warwick (250/1) 14 days ago on return from 33 months off. Handicap debut but plenty to prove and only considered if backed.

Form: 680/0

Forecasts

Gower Spirit (11/8), Voodoo Angel (6/4), Lily Grace (13/2), Bluella Bresil (12/1), Fine As Wine (16/1), Make Sunshine (25/1)

VOODOO ANGEL has made a solid start to handicaps with consecutive runner-up finishes, taking another step forward when narrowly denied at Catterick a week ago and she looks ready to open her account. Gower Spirit has also been placed on her last two starts and looks capable of going close, having again been unlucky to bump into one at Hereford 11 days ago.