Keith Reveley's DIKLERS OSCAR has look progressive and is our confident pick in this Mares' Novice Hurdle ahead of Aint She The Lady and Last Of The Bunch. Easily the standard setter on form in the race the pick has to burden a penalty for a win on his last start. That though was a taking display and the extra weight is unlikely to stop him. Aint She The Lady looks to have plenty to do based on the official ratings but has run well in defeat the last twice. There's some strength to the form of her penultimate start so she's not ruled out. Last Of The Bunch might be a bigger danger to the selection having scored in a bumper and shaped very nicely on his debut over timber. There should be plenty more to come from Alan Swinbank's runner and she looks a live contender. It's a stretch to recommend anything else with confidence but Victoria State has been solid in a few bumper efforts and could improve from a poor start over hurdles but this looks a good opportunity for Dicklers Oscar to win again.
Diklers Oscar (IRE) 4-7fav (11-2) Made all, drew clear on bit from 2 out, easily, won at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Gwyre (10-5) by 11l, 16 ran.
Aint She The Lady (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Behind, headway to chase leaders 3 out, effort approaching last, not reached winner, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Karingreason (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Along Came Rosie 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, kept on from 3 out, never near leaders, 4th of 16, 19l behind Diklers Oscar (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Last of The Bunch 14-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, outpaced 6th, stayed on strongly from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Alegralil (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Maura My Love 100-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place over 5f out, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Fairynuff (11-4) at Catterick 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Moscow Mischief 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place 5th, weakened 4 out, 7th of 16, 28l behind Diklers Oscar (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Ruby Queen (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden halfway, tailed off approaching 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind Dais Return (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Victoria State (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Jumped poorly throughout, tailed off 4 out, 4th of 5, well behind Ambrose Princess (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Waist Deep (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, under pressure halfway, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 40l behind Karingreason (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
