This is a competitive mares’ handicap where several come in with encouraging recent efforts or scope for improvement now entering handicaps. The pace is expected to be weak, with hold-up tactics possibly a disadvantage on this sharp track.


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Top Contenders

QUEENOFTHELODGE (TFR 120)
Placed on all three handicap starts and returned from a break with a strong second at Clonmel (2¼m) behind You Make Me Smile. Consistent, well-treated off 99, and rated best on Timeform adjusted figures. Suspected steady pace likely to suit.

BILLIE FRECHETTE (117p)
From the Noel Meade yard (in solid recent form), she showed improvement on her latest hurdle start at Wexford, travelling notably well. Fair on the Flat (won at Dundalk in March), and makes her handicap hurdle debut with a tongue-tie retained. Open to progress.

LETTERS TO JULIET (115)
Has long been inconsistent but returned to winning ways at Bellewstown last time, beating a small field under this jockey. Now up 5 lb in a deeper race but clearly in better heart and has won on good ground.


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Main Dangers

ROCKVIEW CONSORT (119)
Lightly raced for her age. Maiden winner last season at Tramore, returns off a 13-day turnaround from a quiet Flat spin. On a workable mark and could improve fitness-wise. Market support would be noteworthy.

MISS GITANA (116)
From the Gordon Elliott yard, she showed improvement last time at Down Royal in a similar handicap. Jumping wasn’t fluent, but she’s still unexposed and now gets a more experienced jockey.

TASMANIAN GIRL (116)
Caused a surprise when taking a 16-runner handicap at Thurles in March. Raised 6 lb for that and still has a bit to prove stamina-wise over this slightly longer trip. The slower pace could be a negative.


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Interesting Outsider

KEEP IT COOL (107p)
Only modest in maidens but makes her handicap debut off a lenient-looking mark. Was badly hampered on return and is open to improvement. Comes from a yard that can produce handicap improvers, though market vibes will be key after 217 days off.


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Noted Trends

6 of last 7 winners were aged 5 to 7.

Winning SPs range from 3/1 to 11/1, highlighting how open the race typically is.

Several past winners were carrying 11st+, including last year’s Redwood Queen off 11-2.



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Trainer Watch

Noel Meade (Billie Frechette) has his string in decent nick.

Gordon Elliott (Miss Gitana) has a fair record in mares’ hurdles, but his recent strike-rate is more moderate.

Neither McConnell nor Curling (Rockview Consort, Queenofthelodge) has a strong historical record in this specific race but are capable.



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Verdict

QUEENOFTHELODGE sets the standard on adjusted figures and her profile is hard to fault at this level, especially with race conditions to suit. BILLIE FRECHETTE is a potential improver now handicapping, while MISS GITANA is one of the more appealing each-way angles. KEEP IT COOL is a possible springer if the market speaks positively on handicap debut.