April 18 / 16.25 Cheltenham

16.25

Good

NAF Mares’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £13202.5
  • 2m 0f 62y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
NAF Mares’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1-1PP1

Last run: 4 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Stopped quickly and was pulled up in her first two chases but, following a break, jumped well and won comfortably by over 8l at Plumpton (2m3f, good) on Sunday; today's race is more competitive but she escapes a penalty and needs to be taken very seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

23rd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 2

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Somespring Special

10st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

8yo who made it 5-16 over fences when bouncing back with a clearcut win at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) two weeks ago; up 6lb but she hit a personal best last time and is a big player again if her stamina holds out on this step up 3m.

11/4

1st

7

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Newton Abbot

Somespring Special

10st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

4-15 over fences; gained a win at Chepstow (extended 2m3f, good) in October but hit with a 7lb rise and she's been well held on both outings this year, most recently trailing home last of three at Wincanton (2m, good) three weeks ago; only 2lb lower and now has plenty to prove.

10/1

3rd

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 149y

Class 3

16:30 Wincanton

Somespring Special

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

4-14 over fences; October's Chepstow win (2m3f, good) triggered this career-high mark, off which she was found wanting by some way at Kempton, admittedly in a useful handicap; this shorter trip is another slight query.

9/2

OUR TIP

9/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 431423 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Keen-going front-runner who has won three times this season (2m-2m5f); not at her best when third of five at Kelso (2m1f, good to soft) last month but is back down to a workable mark and could take some catching.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 100y

Class 1

13:50 Kelso

Sacre Coeur

11st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

She's 2-17 over hurdles as opposed to 7-27 over fences and is unraced in this sphere since November 2023; however, won twice over fences this season (3m1f/2m4f, good/good to soft) and will be a major player if transferring that form back to hurdles.

8/1

1

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

16:20 Ludlow

Sacre Coeur

12st 7lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, led, faced challenge from 12th, headed on turn before 4 out, weakening when unseated 3 out

3/1

1

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:05 Ludlow

Sacre Coeur

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Front-runner who went down narrowly last time at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft), which was a good run over that far for one who stays 3m; Harry Atkins rides again and should hang around to have some say.

15/8

4/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 2-8254 D BF

Last run: 73 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Ran big race when second to Pink Legend in this contest a year ago (good ground) and also ran very well when second over 2m4f here (soft) in December; reportedly found the ground too tacky when very disappointing on latest outing in February but has a significant role to play if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 8lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

A bit out of her depth in the Grade 2 Mares' Chase here in March but she's a consistent hurdler who ran up to her best the time before in winning a Listed race (2m5f, soft); should go well, but perhaps vulnerable to rivals on kinder marks.

10/1

5th

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 8lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

A bit out of her depth in the Grade 2 Mares' Chase here in March but she's a consistent hurdler who ran up to her best the time before in winning a Listed race (2m5f, soft); should go well, but perhaps vulnerable to rivals on kinder marks.

10/1

6th

8

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

held up in rear

33/1

Form: 3U7034 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Flat-bred mare who was soundly beaten in two of her first three chases and was only fifth best on merit when respectable third at Leopardstown (2m1f, soft) in between; does not have a convincing profile but represents a respected Irish stable and will be suited by today's return to good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

16:00 Naas

Je Tai Porte

10st 11lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Gavin Cromwell

A six-time winner under rules (three over fences) with her last win coming in a Limerick mares' chase in May when odds-on (2m4f, good); recent form well below best, including C&D handicap last month; tongue-tie added here and hard to see her featuring.

66/1

6th

11

(5)

13th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 4f 46y

16:35 Roscommon

Je Tai Porte

9st 2lb

J: Robert Whearty

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual AW winner; a long time since she ran on the Flat but has developed into a useful chaser and she'll handle the conditions.

16/1

2

22nd May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 176y

17:38 Limerick

Je Tai Porte

11st 2lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Has been running in some hot contests including the Grade 2 mares' chase at Cheltenham when sent off at 100-1; her penultimate run at Cork when finishing third in a handicap chase was pleasing; this is more her level and she is a live contender.

9/4

Form: 18-334 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won a match for sole chase success (seven starts) last February; returned to fences with very respectable third at Kempton (2m4f, good) in the autumn but seemed to be struggling to keep up for most of the race when fourth of six at Plumpton (2m1f, good) last month; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 205y

Class 4

18:28 Stratford

Voice Of Calm

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Sole success from nine chase starts came in a match but there was nothing wrong with her effort when going down narrowly in a 2m4f chase at Ludlow three weeks ago (good) and that was a useful race for the grade; respected.

100/30

3rd

3

12th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

14:53 Ludlow

Voice Of Calm

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Sole success from eight chase starts came in a match; tailed off at Cheltenham last month (2m, good) and was behind Royale Margaux; this is probably a better trip for her and for that reason she's not ruled out.

13/2

3rd

3

12th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

14:53 Ludlow

Voice Of Calm

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Sole success from eight chase starts came in a match; tailed off at Cheltenham last month (2m, good) and was behind Royale Margaux; this is probably a better trip for her and for that reason she's not ruled out.

13/2

Form: 14FP9P CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Has 8-28 strike-rate over fences that includes a win off 10lb higher in this race 12 months ago; looked as good as ever when collecting 2m7f Listed prize in December but seems badly to have lost her way this year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

18th Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 62y

Class 3

16:25 Cheltenham

Pink Legend

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Has 8-28 strike-rate over fences that includes a win off 10lb higher in this race 12 months ago; looked as good as ever when collecting 2m7f Listed prize in December but seems badly to have lost her way this year.

10/1

6th

2

18th Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 62y

Class 3

16:25 Cheltenham

Pink Legend

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Has 8-28 strike-rate over fences that includes a win off 10lb higher in this race 12 months ago; looked as good as ever when collecting 2m7f Listed prize in December but seems badly to have lost her way this year.

10/1

1

30th Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Pink Legend

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Multiple wins in Listed mares' chases, the latest at Newbury (2m7f, soft) in December; she's well treated on that form now back in a handicap but has been a long way below her best the last twice; needs to bounce back.

11/1

Form: PP-12P C

Last run: 33 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
In career-best form in the autumn, winning Market Rasen handicap (2m5f, good) before finishing second in 3m Listed race there; returned from break with disappointing run last month, though, and is not sure to be suited by this drop back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

18th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

12:50 Ludlow

Found On

11st 13lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Pulled up on her final two outings last season and suffered the same fate on reappearance in October; potentially well handicapped but she's hard to trust at the minute.

12/1

2

18th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

12:50 Ludlow

Found On

11st 13lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Pulled up on her final two outings last season and suffered the same fate on reappearance in October; potentially well handicapped but she's hard to trust at the minute.

12/1

Form: 453-12

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Jumped well when winning from the front at Ludlow (2m4f, good) last May and made quite pleasing reappearance when second of four on slower-than-ideal ground at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) last month; competes from 7lb out of the handicap today but is still effectively 2lb lower than when very respectable third in this race a year ago; not ruled out each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Lost Connections

11st 9lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Possible to forgive last month's stable/seasonal debut, in which she did too much out in front over a trip longer than optimum; more in her favour here, and 2lb below her one winning mark; some appeal.

12/1

5

5th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

15:00 Uttoxeter

Lost Connections

10st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Just 1-13 over fences but she rallied well to finish runner-up off a similar mark at Hereford (2m5f, good) in October; returns for new yard but she has run well when fresh in the past and looks worth another try at this trip; in the mix with Sean Bowen booked.

9/2

5

5th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

15:00 Uttoxeter

Lost Connections

10st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Just 1-13 over fences but she rallied well to finish runner-up off a similar mark at Hereford (2m5f, good) in October; returns for new yard but she has run well when fresh in the past and looks worth another try at this trip; in the mix with Sean Bowen booked.

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.80
Straight Forecast £14.11
Tricast £42.18
Trifecta £50.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Somespring Special

The Star:

Je T'Ai Porte

Daily Mail:

Pink Legend

RP RATINGS:

Somespring Special

TOPSPEED:

Somespring Special

POSTDATA:

Somespring Special

WEST COUNTRY:

Somespring Special

The Times:

Somespring Special

Telegraph:

Somespring Special

The Guardian:

Somespring Special

D Express:

Somespring Special

Daily Mirror:

Somespring Special

Daily Record:

Somespring Special