Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Chase

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 4m 51.6s

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Selected odds by:

Listen Dear²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 139

1/1

Justified favouritism in each of her first six starts culminating in a Grade 3 mares novice chase success over 2m1f at Cork (soft-to-heavy) in December. Disappointed at Naas subsequently and beaten 19L into fourth in a Grade 1 at Punchestown (good-to-yielding) last time out. Likely to acquit herself well again in this.

Form: 111144-

Westerner Lady³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140| D

11/4

Winner of ten of her 16 starts to date including three Graded chases (two restricted to mares only). Justified odds-on favouritism over 2m4f at Thurles (yielding-to-soft) on her penultimate start but beaten when falling at Fairyhouse subsequently. Likely to run well again here.

Form: 11211F-

Annamatopoeia¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr B O Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: B Jordan| OR: 118

11/1

Broke her chasing maiden at the 16th attempt when winning a mares beginners race at Roscommon (good) over 2m5f earlier this month. Needs to step up markedly on that if she's to register a second chase success today.

Form: 23355-1

Water Sprite^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 123

8/1

Winner of her second start over fences at Wexford on soft ground over 2m last month. Under pressure when falling in a Grade 3 2m4f contest at Fairyhouse (good-to-yielding) next time out and has a bit to find with the principals today.

Form: 13F81F-

Who's That^p²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: D J Mullins| T: L P Cusack| OR: 125| CD

16/1

Failed to complete the last twice including when an early casualty at Punchestown last time out. Sole chase success came over C&D 12 months ago though she has a bit to find with a couple of these on ratings.

Form: 1651PF-

Blazing West⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: J S McGarvey| T: W J Austin| OR: 113

25/1

Finished runner-up in three of her last four outings. Beaten 3½L by Water Sprite on her most recent start at Wexford (soft) last month and is seeking her first chase success at the ninth time of asking here.

Form: 442622-

Flaviana³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: M J Bolger| T: Mrs J Harrington

8/1

Beaten ½L when finishing runner-up over an extended 2m at Fairyhouse (good-to-yielding) last time out. Had finished 11L third over hurdles off a mark of 116 the time before and likely to find at least a couple too good here.

Form: 7F4732-

Forecasts

Listen Dear (1/1), Westerner Lady (11/4), Water Sprite (8/1), Flaviana (8/1), Annamatopoeia (11/1), Who's That (16/1), Blazing West (25/1)

LISTEN DEAR can register her eighth success in 14 career starts by taking this mares chase. The selection and stable Westerner Lady dominate the market here and their form looks a fair bit better than the best their rivals have to offer. The latter was an improved hurdler a couple of seasons back and has done well over fences winning five of her seven starts so far. Of the remainder Water Sprite was a winner on the Flat and over hurdles last season and broke her chasing duck at Wexford last month.