February 23 / 15.52 Warwick

15.52

Heavy

Charlie Wilson Memorial Mares’ Handicap Chase (Challenger Mares’ Chase Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 3m 0f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 5 runners
RTV
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Charlie Wilson Memorial Mares’ Handicap Chase (Challenger Mares’ Chase Series Qualifier)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: -61615

Last run: 138 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Productive at up to 2m4f in France, with overall strike-rate 10-34 (Flat/jumps); dual Listed scorer; sold for 80,000euros since last run; has stamina to prove over this new trip on British debut but market confidence should be heeded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

11th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:02 Lingfield

Eximia

11st 3lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

took keen hold, led, joined 7th, headed 8th, lost ground quickly before 9th, pulled up before 2 out (usual 3 out)

10/1

3

11th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:02 Lingfield

Eximia

11st 3lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

took keen hold, led, joined 7th

10/1

3

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 4

14:25 Newbury

Eximia

11st 12lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

prominent, weakened after 14th, pulled up 3 out

33/1

Form: -17332 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
In-form mare who was placed in the Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f) and Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown (3m) last month, both on soft going; holds very solid claims returned to a forecast even slower surface (4-5 on heavy).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Rose Of Arcadia

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has run well on good ground here and won at Sandown (3m, good to soft) in March; reappeared with solid third at Exeter (3m, good to soft) last month and she should be fine with today's test (albeit well beaten 12 months ago); 2lb out of the handicap but not discounted for bang-in-form yard.

11/1

5th

11

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Rose Of Arcadia

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

prominent, outpaced after 3 out, lost fourth approaching last

11/1

6

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

16:28 Exeter

Rose Of Arcadia

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Thorough stayer who gained last season's chasing win at Sandown (3m, good to soft) in March; not quite in same form at Plumpton later that month but has good record when fresh and begins her new campaign on a workable mark; had wind operation in August; good chance.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2-4353 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Respectable second in this contest 12 months ago; 7lb higher this time, having harmed her mark with a seemingly good effort in Listed grade at Huntingdon most recently; however, she's consistent in the main and could go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

16:15 Ludlow

Midnight Mary

11st 5lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Lucy Wadham

Likeable mare with a consistent profile but her only chase win came off a 12lb lower mark and she's gone up 5lb for performing above herself in the face of a stiff task in a Listed race for mares last time (2m4f; fine at 3m and on soft); possibly flattered by that and opposable off current mark.

7/1

Form: 3-F556 C

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Only runner on the card for Lucinda Russell; made the long journey pay dividends here (2m4f, soft; sole Warwick start) last March and looks interesting off a handy mark back here on first run since wind surgery; tongue-tie applied; stays 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Haute Estime

11st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Only beaten 4l in this last year when 5lb higher and best run since was her latest when runner-up at Kelso (3m2f); although some 14l off the winner, she was on the back foot after early interference and ran well all things considered; respected.

8/1

10

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Haute Estime

11st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Only beaten 4l in this last year when 5lb higher and best run since was her latest when runner-up at Kelso (3m2f); although some 14l off the winner, she was on the back foot after early interference and ran well all things considered; respected.

8/1

3

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 4

15:13 Kelso

Haute Estime

11st 8lb

J: Mr Nick Orpwood

T: Lucinda Russell

Placed off 3lb higher in North Wales National at Bangor (3m5f, heavy) in February but has been well beaten on all three starts since, most recently when upped to 4m and fitted with cheekpieces (retained) for Borders National here three weeks ago; needs to turn a corner.

7/1

Form: F95901 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Took well to first-time cheekpieces at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft; second chase attempt) two weeks ago, recording a first success since joining this stable; may have more to offer in the retained headgear and warrants respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

13th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

15:10 Fakenham

Fortunefavorsdbold

11st 13lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Suffered early mishap three starts ago but placed on other four outings this season, most recently when second ay Exeter (3m, good) three weeks ago; ran poorly on only previous visit to Fakenham and would appeal more on ground slower than good but still features prominently in calculations.

5/2

2nd

2

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

15:37 Exeter

Fortunefavorsdbold

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Christian Williams

Suffered early mishap on penultimate outing but placed on other three starts this season, most recently when clear second to dual subsequent winner at Leicester (2m6f, heavy) last month; might not be ideally suited by the much quicker ground here but still commands respect.

15/8

Verdict

The forecast heavy ground swings the vote in favour of ROSE OF ARCADIA (nap). Second choice Haute Estime is interesting back at Warwick, while Fortunefavorsdbold remains unexposed over fences.[Steve Boow]