188Bet Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 5m 32.64s

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Sparkling River²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 109

6/5

Like many from Henry Oliver's yard, was a winner once she went handicapping, making most and staying on well at Warwick on New Years Eve. That form not really working out though, so probably needs to improve again from a 8lb higher mark, although trip and ground are both fine and this is not a strong race.

Form: 455124

Indian Native¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: L P Aspell| T: A M Hales| OR: 108

11/4

Dual point-to-point winner in Ireland and steady improvement on all three starts for Alex Hales over hurdles, running with some credit behind Ms Parfois at Warwick on her latest start (weakened out of it late). Goes handicapping from a reasonable mark and better can be expected, although ability to cope with heavy ground a question.

Form: 41-4153

Deja Bougg^t⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 107

7/2

Pulled up last time out, which was also the only time she's encountered heavy ground, so that immediately sets alarm bells ringing, as does the fact she's still a maiden after 14 starts, but she does have some form at the trip (albeit on good ground) and looks capable of winning a race. That heavy ground stat is a worry here, though.

Form: 44P3F-1

Amour D'Or¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: T Scudamore| T: J Westwood| OR: 105

25/1

Not seen since last July when racing in France for Nick Williams. First run for Jess Westwood today and with most of her better form coming on good ground, is best watched today.

Form: 34-9PPP

Kaspian Tern^t1⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 97

8/1

Looked to be heading in the right direction when not beaten far by Sister Sybil at Towcester in November, but was beaten a long way out at Bangor on her handicap debut. She goes with a first time tongue tie today, which probably explains the poor Bangor run, and it's simply too early to write her off yet.

Form: 86PPP9

Non-Runners

Lutece⁶⁴

Weight: 11-11| Age: 5

T: Miss V Williams J: L Treadwell

Forecasts

Sparkling River (6/5), Indian Native (11/4), Deja Bougg (7/2), Lutece (7/1), Kaspian Tern (8/1), Amour D'Or (25/1)

There's every chance that SPARKLING RIVER is going to be allowed an easy lead again today, and that may well prove decisive in a race that asks a few questions of the others. She won well at Warwick and although the yard seem to specialise in getting them ready for handicaps first time up, that doesn't mean she can't follow up today. Kaspian Tern is risky, having blown out completely last time , but she was improving steadily before that and if the tongue tie does the trick, she can get in the money. Indian Native can stay on best of the rest for third. 1. Sparkling River 2. Kaspian Tern 3. Indian Native