Scone Palace Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 3.20s

Flying Fortune³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: S Bowen| T: M Bowen| OR: 122| D

85/40

Most progressive in 2024/25 but has offered precious little on both starts after a lengthy absence this campaign. Handicapper drops her 5 lb as a result.

Form: 1111-49

Pitwood Road³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 114

6/1

Made a winning start for her new yard in 2m3f handicap at Carlisle in December and backed it up with a very good second of 7 in 2½m handicap at Newcastle following month. Not up to listed company at Kelso last time, so better anticipated returned to calmer waters.

Form: 2FP-127

Fresh As A Daisy³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 112| D

4/1

Opened her account at the first time of asking over hurdles in novice at Uttoxeter (2½m) last May. Matched that form in a couple of starts over winter but failed by a long way to meet expectations on handicap debut after a break at Newbury last month.

Form: 52-132P

Spit Spot^t,p1³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: P W Wadge| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 111| C

15/2

Bagged a pair of 3m handicaps at this course last autumn. Has come back from a break in better nick than her last 2 form figures might suggest so folly to ignore in first-time cheekpieces returned to 2½m.

Form: 311647

Atlantic City¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr James King⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 105

4/1

Fair maiden hurdler for Ciaran Murphy in Ireland who shaped encouragingly despite rather than because of the return to 2m when second of 7 in maiden at Haydock earlier in the month, finishing with running left. Back up to 2½m for this handicap debut and fancied to go close.

Form: 33-3342

Just An Artist^h³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 102| C

12/1

Shock winner of weak course maiden on reappearance. Mixed bag since, shaping well faced with an inadequate test when third of 7 on handicap debut at Musselburgh (2½m) last month. Others more appealing kept to this trip.

Form: 1P4363

Tread Softly Now^v1⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Callum Bewley| T: I A Duncan| OR: 96| D

10/1

Opened account for the season over 19.5f at Ayr in November and produced a career best when second at Kelso following month. Has struggled for consistency since though, running poorly back at Ayr last time. More severe headgear enlisted (first-time visor).

Form: 1P2434

Forecasts

Flying Fortune (85/40), Atlantic City (4/1), Fresh As A Daisy (4/1), Pitwood Road (6/1), Spit Spot (15/2), Tread Softly Now (10/1), Just An Artist (12/1)

ATLANTIC CITY made an encouraging start for new connections when runner-up at Haydock earlier in the month and now faced with a more suitable test sent handicapping, Olly Murphy's 5-y-o gets the nod to open her account. Pitwood Road heads up the opposition having found listed level a step too far recently, while Fresh As A Daisy can't have been right at Newbury last month so she shouldn't be written off.