15:15 Cheltenham

Thursday 18 April 2019

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2516:5517:30

Catesby Estates PLC Mares' Handicap Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 4m 58.1s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Casablanca Mix⁸³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135| D

20/1

Proven hard to win with so far having won one of nine since moving over from France. Last eight races all over fences and first time over hurdles since 2017 but overall profile is still of a mare handicapped to the hilt.

Form: 1F-2293

Cap Soleil³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 134| C

11/2

Crack bumper performer won two of her first four over hurdles as well as finishing second to Laurina in C&D Mares Grade Two at the 2018 Festival. Seventh of 14 in Mares Grade One here latest in first run since but much better expected now.

Form: 1/1212-7

Brillare Momento^p⁴⁷

25/1

Four-time winner lost her way quite badly this season but has had a wind-op since her latest disappointment. Handicap within range if that works the oracle but no guarantees.

Form: 0-3P7P4

Sunshade²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132

14/1

Dual novice scorer in 2017 returned from a 363 day absence latest when fifth of 10 in a 2m Newbury handicap. Looked like she may appreciate this longer trip there and should come on plenty for that so expecting much better here.

Form: 1/1139-5

Chilli Filli¹¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: H D Daly| OR: 132

16/1

15L defeat latest when upped to 3m½f at Kempton looked more to do with revised handicap mark than stamina deficiencies after going up 11lb for Ludlow success. Gets 1lb back here but handicapper may still have hold.

Form: 3145-14

Timeforben^b¹⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 127

33/1

Returns ahead of another summer campaign here having won three times last summer from 2m7f to 3m2½f. Can go well fresh but this trip on sharp side and last two runs suggested handicapper had hold.

Form: 122120

Agusta Gold³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D E Mullins| T: Ms M Mullins| OR: 125| D

11/2

Irish novice a dual winner and finished a good third of 14 at Leopardstown in a competitive handicap and third of 12 in a Limerick Grade Three since. Handicap remains within range here and certainly one with legitimate claims.

Form: 212133

Storm Goddess²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 123

18/1

Off the mark at Doncaster two start back before running another sound race when second of 12 at Newbury, again in novice company. Back up in trip here (won 2m3½f) and comes into first handicap an unexposed mare.

Form: 543212

River Arrow³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 122| D

16/1

Had some good form back in 2017 but struggled on recent return from 455 days off when well beaten on heavy ground at Uttoxeter. Could come on for that but others have less risks attached.

Form: P13/52-9

Talent To Amuse^t¹⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: L P Aspell| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 122

40/1

Useful start to her career over hurdles (won first three novice starts) before losing her unbeaten record with a fall. Not quite in the same form since although her mark is falling; needs to have been freshened up by her latest break.

Form: 1/1F-53P

Grania O'Malley^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 120

33/1

Dual novice winner this season and ran well in first handicap try at Newcastle latest when rallying for second over 2m½f. Up 2lb and tackles a new trip here but expect her to stay and prove competitive here.

Form: 313132

Bonza Girl⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁵⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 120

8/1

Won five handicaps on the spin before coming unstuck at Listed level last time. 4lb higher than nose Ludlow success two starts back and more depth about this so others more compelling now.

Form: 111113

Late Night Lily²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 120| D

4/1

Four-time winner missed 451 days before two average efforts at Newbury. Now goes up in trip which her late run suggested might be the answer and stable's form so good that she has to be respected.

Form: 5/F32-76

Coded Message¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 120

28/1

Heavy ground Lingfield novice winner made the frame in all bar one start since. Second at Market Rasen latest showed she is versatile ground wise but this looks a good deal hotter.

Form: 313342

Oscar Rose²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 120

10/1

Worcester win in October remains her lone success over hurdles (16 starts) but rarely beaten far since then and placed three times. Gets another 2lb back and again has place potential.

Form: 423525

Inessa¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 118| BF| D

8/1

Useful form on the Flat in Germany and winner oft two starts over hurdles including over an extended 2m4f at Southwell (good) in July last year. Second on recent reappearance at Southwell pleasing but tough start to handicaps.

Form: 2112

Forecasts

Late Night Lily (4/1), Agusta Gold (11/2), Cap Soleil (11/2), Inessa (8/1), Bonza Girl (8/1), Oscar Rose (10/1), Sunshade (14/1), River Arrow (16/1), Chilli Filli (16/1), Storm Goddess (18/1), Casablanca Mix (20/1), Brillare Momento (25/1), Coded Message (28/1), Timeforben (33/1), Grania O'Malley (33/1), Talent To Amuse (40/1)

A really tricky contest this and a whole host of Mares bring solid claims to the table. It may pay to look at the class angle and side with CAP SOLEIL, a winner of five of her eight career starts. She was entitled to have needed the run when midfield in the Grade One Mares Hurdle here latest but with that run under her belt and now eased substantially in class she gets the vote. Irish raider Agusta Gold is progressive and likely still on a winnable mark and Sunshade looks an interesting challenger with this longer trip expected to suit well.