Peter And Michael Bowen Racing Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:57 | Winning time: 6m 33.0s

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Selected odds by:

Flintara²⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 106

12/1

Took well to chasing last season, scoring at Fontwell in December and running with credit when runner-up at Cheltenham in April. Makes return over hurdles after 245-day absence but has ran well fresh in the past. Chance if she can replicate her chase form over the smaller obstacles.

Form: 9/31222-

Followango¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 105| C| D

2/1

Course bumper winner who made the frame in all 5 starts over hurdles in early 2024. Failed to complete on chase debut but proved much more effective back over hurdles when third at Lingfield (19.5f) 10 days ago. Looks well worth a step up in trip and big chance if arriving here in the same form.

Form: 2232-U3

Jalisco Star^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: K Brogan| T: L Horsfall| OR: 101| D

11/2

Good winner at Bangor (23f) in March and similar form when fourth on return/following wind op in October. Below best on chase debut but bounced back when winning a 3m handicap hurdle at Ascot last month. Ridden prominently that day and should be up with pace again. Another bold bid expected.

Form: 31P-451

Walkinthecotswolds^h²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Benjamin Poste| T: H Dickin| OR: 97

9/1

Maiden. Second on handicap debut in a 4-runner affair at Southwell (20.4f, heavy) in March. Not so good back down to 2m at Uttoxeter a month later. Ran with credit here in first-time hood following 210-day break (tried to make all) and entitled to build on that comeback effort with hood retained.

Form: 44226-4

Bridget Mary^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 82| D

11/8

Made a winning chasing start in October and followed it up with a good fourth of 13 at Uttoxeter (2m4f, set a lot to do). Ran here 29 days ago and would have finished closer but for mistakes. Back over hurdles and has the ability to be involved if jumping holds up.

Form: 425143

Forecasts

Bridget Mary (11/8), Followango (2/1), Jalisco Star (11/2), Walkinthecotswolds (9/1), Flintara (12/1)

A trappy contest in which all five runners hold a reasonable chance. The improver could be FOLLOWANGO who ran well behind a progressive horse of Nicky Henderson's 10 days ago (hopefully this doesn’t come too soon) and has shaped as though this step up in trip will suit. Jalisco Star is respected having bounced back to form over hurdles when scoring at Ascot last month, while Bridget Mary has claims but needs to sharpen up her jumping on her return to this sphere.