EMPRESS ORCHID has won her last two starts in the style of a hurdler on the upgrade. She ran out a clear winner over C&D three weeks ago when beating Saoma in soft ground and can shrug off a 5lb rise in the handicap here. Babilu had looked a progressive hurdler at the end of last year registering victories both here and at Taunton but she's lost her way a little of late, while Chicklemix finished a well-beaten third at Fakenham last time and makes her handicap debut today. Arisea and Baggsy have both won selling hurdles but look up against it in this company.
Empress Orchid 8-13fav (11-6) Made all, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Saoma (11-0) by 11l, 6 ran.
Babilu 25-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear and keen, headway approaching to chase leaders when fell 6th, in a race won by Karky Schultz (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs, 14 ran.
Arisea (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along 4 out, ridden from next, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 28l behind Santa's Son (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Chicklemix 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 12, well behind Camden (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Baggsy (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) In rear, lost touch 3rd, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Ultravox (10-5) at Towcester 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
