Rose Of Arcadia looks a talented mare ready to bloom for Cheveley Park

EBF BetVictor 'National Hunt' Novices' Mares' Hurdle | 2m4f | 4yo+ fillies and mares | ITV/RTV

A clutch of mares from major stables who are graduating to handicaps for the first time makes this an intriguing puzzle to solve.

Perhaps the standout is Colin Tizzard’s Rose Of Arcadia, whose mark of 120 looks eminently workable based on the form of her Wincanton victory over Fable last month.

She travelled into that race like a useful mare and remained hard on the bridle at the final flight with all her rivals under maximum pressure.

The runner-up has since won at Huntingdon and Haydock in good style, and Rose Of Arcadia, who races in the colours of Cheveley Park Stud, has the profile of a talented performer laid out carefully for this valuable and prestigious prize.

It’s no surprise she’s favourite, and it wouldn’t be the biggest shock to see her start at around the 5-2 mark.

Nicky Henderson, who last won the race in 2013 with 25-1 Polly Peachum, has four chances this year.

Bottom-weight Buttsbury Lady, rated just 109 after three defeats over hurdles – two of which came on heavy ground – was an impressive winner of a Uttoxeter bumper on a much drier surface and could have got in lightly even though she competes from 3lb out of the handicap.

Nicky Henderson: he runs four, all of whom are progressive, in good form, and should enjoy the conditionsCredit: Edward Whitaker

In terms of proven handicap form, Misty Whisky takes the eye. She ran a blinder to finish second of 20 in the Lanzarote Hurdle behind Boreham Bill over 2m5f at Kempton in January and is only 4lb higher this time.

Last time out she produced arguably an even better performance when third to Anythingforlove in a Sandown Grade 2 mares’ event, and the Harry Fry stable is back in good form.

Little River Bay started 7-4 favourite at Sandown, but ran no sort of race on ground which was exceptionally testing.

She’s better judged on her course-and-distance success over Tequila Blaze in January, and seems sure to run a bold race, while the Dan Skelton-trained Marada is open to improvement on this first attempt beyond 2m.
Race anaylsis by Richard Birch

What they say

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Little River Bay
She was very disappointing at Sandown. There was no real reason for it, but perhaps the very bad ground was totally against her. She’ll have better ground this time, and hopefully she’ll run a good race.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Alpha Carinae
She ran well to finish third in a Listed race at Doncaster last time, and she’s definitely come forward for the run. Good ground suits her well. The drop in trip is a slight concern but she could go well at an each-way price.

Harry Fry, trainer of Misty Whisky
The more it rains the better. I was delighted that it rained on Thursday night and hopefully there will be more to come. She’s been running well this year. Her second in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton in January is a very strong piece of form and if she replicates that she shouldn’t be far away.

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, owners of Rose Of Arcadia
We were delighted with her last performance at Wincanton and have been targeting this race ever since. We’re very happy with her. That form has been well franked and it looks a nice opportunity.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Docte Dina, Lilly Pedlar, Paris Dixie and Buttsbury Lady
All four mares are progressive, in good form, and should enjoy the conditions – good ground suits them all. This is a very good prize with black type up for grabs, so a one, two, three would be very nice! I can’t split them. They’re fit and well and they all like the trip.

Alex Hales, trainer of Bourbon Beauty
This has been her target all year. She’s enjoyed a nice break after her run at Warwick in December and has freshened up well. She’s off a nice weight, and I think there is room for improvement off 114. The ground should be fine for her. They had a drop of rain on Thursday night and I believe there’s a bit more in the forecast. She wouldn’t want it too soft, though.

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