Hadwins Motor Group Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:25 | Winning time: 4m 23.45s

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Selected odds by:

Gold Chain^p,h,t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Emma Sayer⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 115| CD

6/1

Perth is very much the place to catch this mare over hurdles, and she won on successive days at that Scottish venue (2m and 2m4f) in May. She's paid the price accordingly in the weights and was beaten 11L by Thorpe latest (runner up Vercingetorix has won on the Flat since). Has won over C&D in the past (seller), but also has run some absolute stinkers here.

Form: P3-1153

Included^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: David Dennis| OR: 112

3/1

AW Flat maiden fillies winner for Amanda Perrett in September 2015, but 0 from 3 on the level for this trainer after a break. Much better in two attempts over hurdles, just held on debut at Ffos Las, and off the mark by 14L at Worcester in late June (beat 1/3f Polly's Pursuit). Top Northern jockey takes over in the saddle for her handicap debut.

Form: 31

Owners Day²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 112

7/1

Won on her first two outings over timber in mid winter (at Wincanton and Fakenham), but little real impact since switched to handicaps. Might feasibly have needed the race after five months off at Southwell latest, but makes little obvious appeal from her current mark.

Form: 06/114-6

Midnight Walk^h,t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 106

4/1

10L winner at Bangor three starts ago (2m3f+ handicap) and then gave the much improved Too Many Diamonds a race back at that venue in May (pair pulled well clear). Faded when upped to 3m latest and this drop in trip looks more suitable, albeit just a fraction short of her best trip.

Form: 9541-26

Miss Mash⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: H D Daly| OR: 105

5/2

Won a Bangor mares handicap in emphatic style in December (from a 13lb lower mark) and showed form akin to that at Market Rasen in March after a couple of more moderate runs. No chance with Petrou latest (tailed off) and whilst much respected could ideally be eased a few pounds.

Form: 31542-6

A Touch Of Sparkle¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Rachael Blackmore⁽³⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 100

13/2

13 race maiden (nine under rules, seven over hurdles). Deserted by the champion jockey who rode her last time at Perth in favour of Miss Mash, and on what she's shown that's no real surprise.

Form: P43-445

Forecasts

Miss Mash (5/2), Included (3/1), Midnight Walk (4/1), Gold Chain (6/1), A Touch Of Sparkle (13/2), Owners Day (7/1)

It probably wasn't a strong contest that Midnight Walk landed with ease at Bangor in April, but she backed that run up with a solid second to the thriving Too Many Diamonds on her next start, and she might well get away with this drop in trip in a small field. However, preference is for the Flat winner and handicap hurdles debutant INCLUDED. David Dennis has slowly brought her back to form on the AW and she's a lightly raced mares novice hurdle winner at Worcester. Her opening mark is probably reasonable and it's surely significant that Brian Hughes takes over in the saddle from the less experienced Tommy Dowling.