2m5f185y | 4yo+ | €6,900 | Good (Good to Yielding in places) | 9 runners | Strong pace forecast

💡 Race Preview

This looks a wide-open mares’ handicap on paper, but the strong predicted pace could be the deciding factor, bringing hold-up runners and strong stayers to the fore. Several contenders are making early forays into handicap company, but the best value lies with a mare dropping back into this sphere from chasing — and with a massive rating swing in her favour.

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⭐ Strongest Contender: LILIAN BLAND (13/2)

Returning to hurdles off a much lower mark than she’s been running to over fences, Lilian Bland brings peak form into this race, having won and then placed second in her last two chase starts off marks in the mid-90s. Her hurdle rating of 91 gives her a theoretical 30+lb cushion on her best chase efforts. She’s well-suited by the trip, ground, and pace scenario.

🔹 Timeform Profile Comment:

“Arrives in the form of her life over the larger obstacles and has a much lower hurdles mark to work with here.”

At 13/2, she’s a standout on ProHandicap Max, where she ranks 131 adjusted — a clear 5lb+ above the field.

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⚠️ Main Dangers

🟣 STRETCHEMOUT (10/1)

Still improving and was unlucky not to win last time when short of room before finishing strongly into second at Thurles. Steps into handicaps for the first time here off a mark of 100, and shapes as though this longer trip and stronger pace will play perfectly to her strengths.

🔹 Timeform Comment:

“Finishing well having been short of room approaching straight… remains capable of better heading into handicaps.”

Rated 124 on adjusted figures, she’s a major threat if getting a cleaner trip.

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🟣 JOYA DEL MAR (14/1)

Very solid run behind a big-field Fairyhouse winner two starts back, then had excuses when ridden too patiently last time. A proper staying type, she’s tactically versatile, and Timeform flags the pace forecast as being in her favour.

🔹 Timeform Comment:

“The forecast unrelenting pace will probably work against Lilian Bland while advancing the chances of Joya Del Mar.”

Another one who looks big at 14/1, especially with the strong pace playing into her late-running style.

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⛔️ Horses to Oppose

• OUT FOR A STROLL (5/2 fav) – Lightly raced and represents top connections, but has been off 62 days, and this is her first try beyond 2m. Her adjusted rating (120) puts her 11lb behind the top-rated.
• JOUEUSE ROYALE (4/1) – Another unexposed type with potential, but all her form is over shorter and she may get tapped for toe or outstayed here on handicap debut.
• MAID ON THE MOON (9/1) – Won easily last time but was left well clear at the last. Timeform flag it as a fluke and the 11lb rise looks severe.

🔹 Timeform on Maid On The Moon:

“Fortuitous winner at Leopardstown last month and has been hit with a hefty 11 lb rise.”

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📊 Summary Table – Top 3 + Value Angles

Horse	Adj Rating	Odds	Timeform Comment Highlight
Lilian Bland	131	13/2	“Form of her life… lower hurdles mark to work with.”
Stretchemout	124	10/1	“Remains capable of better heading into handicaps.”
Joya Del Mar	126	14/1	“Forecast pace will advance her chances.”

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🏁 Verdict

• 🥇 LILIAN BLAND is the clear standout — she’s thriving over fences, returns to hurdles from a much-reduced mark, and should be finishing stronger than most.
• 💰 STRETCHEMOUT and JOYA DEL MAR are the best of the rest, both ticking pace and profile boxes, and both are trading above their true odds on your adjusted figures.
• ❌ Out For A Stroll and Maid On The Moon are underlays worth taking on at their current odds.