Preference is for SWEET MAGIC, who ran a cracker at Aintree last time and hails from a yard in fine form. Springs A Girl and Baby Sage rate the principal dangers.
Sweet Magic
Springs A Girl
Baby Sage
2m5f Hcap Hrd
Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places
7. Sweet Magic
J: Jonathan BurkeT: Alastair Ralph
F: 43427/F-72
Price History:
3.50
Age:
7
Weight:
11-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
103
Days Since Last Run:
41
Verdict
Still a maiden but showed the benefit of her reappearance when second of 8 in a handicap hurdle at Aintree (20f, soft) on Boxing Day, giving the well-backed winner plenty to think about. 3 lb rise looks fair and another bold show is on the cards.
5. Springs A Girl
J: Daire McConvilleT: Martin Keighley
F: 109-U161
Price History:
4.50
Age:
6
Weight:
11-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
108
Days Since Last Run:
49
Verdict
Bumper winner who bagged her second victory over hurdles when seeing off 6 rivals in C&D mares' novice (soft) in December. Remains relatively unexposed and merits consideration on handicap debut.
2. Looking As You Are
J: Kielan WoodsT: Alex Hales
F: 203113-64
Price History:
5.00
Age:
6
Weight:
11-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
112
Days Since Last Run:
40
Verdict
Won a C&D maiden and Plumpton novice (20.5f) last term and back to that sort of form when creditable fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Kempton (24.6f, good to soft, 25/1) 40 days ago, not ideally placed. Respected.
3. Baby Sage
J: Tom CannonT: Alan King
F: 10/U23-31
Price History:
7.00
Age:
7
Weight:
11-12
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
111
Days Since Last Run:
61
Verdict
Confirmed promise of reappearance effort when taking 11-runner handicap hurdle (9/2) at Exeter (21.6f, heavy) 61 days ago. 6 lb higher now but further progress may be forthcoming.
6. Current Mood
J: Miss Eleanor WilliamsT: Evan Williams
F: 6436-5132
Price History:
7.50
Age:
10
Weight:
11-6
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
105
Days Since Last Run:
63
Verdict
Better for return when capitalising on a much-reduced mark over fences at this course (23.8f) in October and back to that sort of form when second of 5 in handicap chase (8/1) over same C&D (soft) 63 days ago. Fairly treated, back hurdling, but this trip may be on the sharp side for her.
1. Batwomen
J: Brendan PowellT: Neil Mulholland
F: 75/52-212
Price History:
8.50
Age:
7
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
113
Days Since Last Run:
65
Verdict
Made a successful switch to handicaps when winning in smooth fashion at Fontwell (19.1f) in October and backed that up with good second of 11 at Plumpton (20.5f, soft) 65 days ago. 4 lb higher now but must enter calculations.
4. Majestic Jameela
J: Ciaran GethingsT: Stuart Edmunds
F: 1213-3F97
Price History:
23.00
Age:
5
Weight:
11-12
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
111
Days Since Last Run:
41
Verdict
Scored 3 times over hurdles last term but fell heavily early on at Chepstow in October and has been well below best in both outings since.
8. River Robe
J: James BestT: Sarah-Jayne Davies
F: 47356445
Price History:
29.00
Age:
6
Weight:
10-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
89
Days Since Last Run:
21
Verdict
Yet to score for current yard and arrives on back of disappointing run over fences at Hereford (19f, good to soft) 21 days ago. Makes limited appeal returned to smaller obstacles here.