Mercedes-Benz Of Chichester Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:47 | Winning time: 5m 27.14s

Smugglers Haven¹⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss L Bradstock⁽⁷⁾| T: S Bradstock| OR: 115

5/2

Progressive three-time winner over hurdles who opened her account in this sphere with a game display in a big-field Cheltenham handicap in October. Given plenty of time to recover from an early fall at Taunton since, she warrants respect back over the smaller obstacles here.

Form: 1/2221F-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Queens Venture¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryan Carver| T: D Summersby| OR: 115| D

6/1

Four-time winner for Dan Skelton who did all she could when third on stable debut at Newcastle in November and returned to form when fourth of 5 in handicap hurdle at Hereford (3¼m, good, 9/2) 19 days ago, unsuited by step up in trip. Not out of things.

Form: 2/113P-4

Miss Goldfire^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: C P O'Shea⁽⁷⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 108| CD

15/8

Won twice this time last year and bounced back to form when taking 9-runner handicap hurdle over C&D (good) 18 days ago. 5 lb rise fair and another bold bid is anticipated.

Form: 2886P-1

Shutfrontdoor¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 105| C

2/1

Made a successful debut in bumper here a year ago and has found improvement over hurdles the last twice, including when third of 9 in novice at this course (2¼m, good) 10 days ago. This longer trip promises to suit and she looks a likely improver on handicap debut.

Form: 12F22-3

Non-Runners

Fresh As A Daisy³²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: N J Henderson J: Paul O'Brien

Forecasts

Miss Goldfire (15/8), Shutfrontdoor (2/1), Smugglers Haven (5/2), Fresh As A Daisy (5/1), Queens Venture (6/1)

SHUTFRONTDOOR remains with potential and will likely benefit from this stiffer test of stamina on her handicap bow. She gets the nod. Recent C&D winner Miss Goldfire looks the obvious danger given her record here.