cheltenhamfestival.com Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 4m 5.15s

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Selected odds by:

Amelia's Dance²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 119| D

7/4

Winless since 2022 but right back on song of late, runner-up in 4 of her last 5 starts, latest when edged out at Kempton 29 days ago. Well in the mix once more.

Form: 5-22522

Cottie¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Sean P O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 115| D

20/1

Scored at Downpatrick last June for Henry de Bromhead. Off 5 months and came in last of six for her new yard in handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (20.6f, soft) 18 days ago. Back down in trip with work to do.

Form: 5-51596

Fautinette³⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Ned Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 114| D

14/1

Unbeaten all 3 starts over hurdles in France but she struggled badly in four appearances on these shores and she now has lots to prove after 11 months off.

Form: 1P/P0P-

Notnowlinda¹¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 113| BF| D

11/2

Dual 2m hurdles winner last season and this former point winner found just one too good on her first 2 starts over fences. Not on her game at Kempton when last seen in November however, and now heads back over the smaller obstacles. Possibilities.

Form: 634-228

Passing Kate¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 90| D

11/10

Is enjoying a very good season for her current yard and easily bagged a second success in 7-runner handicap hurdle at Wincanton (15.2f, heavy) 10 days ago. Up 10 lb (including being 3 lb out of the handicap) but rates a big player.

Form: 551231

Citizen Jane^t1¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: R Potter| OR: 77

80/1

Point scorer but winless over hurdles for Alastair Ralph. Off 6 months before beating only one in handicap hurdle at Taunton (19f, soft) 18 days ago. Tongue strap on for 1st time. 16 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 175450

Dora's Addrezz^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: Katy Price| OR: 71

80/1

Offered little tongue tied in a Newton Abbot bumper on only outing for Brian Barr and poor efforts to date over hurdles for her current yard. 22 lb "wrong" in the weights too.

Form: 79P78

Forecasts

Passing Kate (11/10), Amelia's Dance (7/4), Notnowlinda (11/2), Fautinette (14/1), Cottie (20/1), Dora's Addrezz (80/1), Citizen Jane (80/1)

Easy Wincanton scorer PASSING KATE is thriving under the tutelage of Matt Sheppard this term and despite being 3 lb out of the handicap still looks very much the way to go. Amelia's Dance is in very good nick herself but could have to play bridesmaid once more, with Notnowlinda appealing as the pick of the rest for minor honours back in this sphere.