PSR Marquees Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 6m 14.13s

Penny Perfect²²³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 120

9/1

Winner of Downpatrick maiden hurdle last summer. Good second in a novice there next time and freshened up since a below-form third of 4 over 3m at Cork in October. Returns as an unexposed handicap newcomer from a top stable.

Form: 4123-

Musique De Fee^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Joshua Bryan| T: M Bowen| OR: 119| CD

9/2

Thrived over hurdles last year, including a C&D win last May (also third in this race). Lost her way subsequently but back on form for current yard when second of 5 at Hereford (3¼m, good) 18 days ago. On the same mark she defied here last year.

Form: 2P0P0-2

Pinot Rouge^b³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett| OR: 118

9/2

Successful in 23f handicap hurdle at Hexham last summer. Hasn't kicked on from that since (including over fences) but last month's fourth of 9 in 3m handicap hurdle at Ayr (heavy) was more encouraging.

Form: 4PF5F3-

Bittalemon^p⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR: 110| CWS

18/1

Flat winner for William Haggas and bagged a pair of 17f course novice hurdles for this yard last summer. Below that level in 2 outings over the winter but a return to Cartmel provides the hope for better. The significantly longer trip is an unknown, though (has had a breathing operation).

Form: 518177-

Keep On Cobbling³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Bannister| T: H D Daly| OR: 102

6/4

Low-mileage 6-y-o who won a 2m Stratford maiden last spring and followed up on 21f Sedgefield handicap debut (good to soft) 7 months later. Saw things out thoroughly when second of 10 in 21f Warwick handicap last month and shapes as if she'll stay 3m+.

Form: 21/1632-

Starlyte^p,t¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: P W Wadge| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 100

6/1

Over a year since she last tasted success but is lurking on an attractive mark on the pick of her form and the way she's stayed on late over 23f at Kelso on her last 2 outings suggests she'll be suited by this trip. Gets the vote.

Form: 67744-3

Tread Softly Now^v³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Ryan Mania| T: I A Duncan| OR: 98

8/1

Winner of a 19.5f handicap at Ayr (soft) in November. Reacted well to a first-time visor when second of 7 at Perth (2½m, good to soft) 31 days ago but this longer trip asks a different question.

Form: P24342-

Forecasts

Keep On Cobbling (6/4), Musique De Fee (9/2), Pinot Rouge (9/2), Starlyte (6/1), Tread Softly Now (8/1), Penny Perfect (9/1), Bittalemon (18/1)

STARLYTE has run well here before and it's not hard to envisage her staying on powerfully on the long run-in given how she's been shaping at Kelso of late. Recent Hereford runner-up Musique de Fee was successful over C&D off an identical mark last May so rates an obvious danger, while market confidence behind reappearing Gordon Elliott handicap newcomer Penny Perfect would make her a threat to all.