Having been eased further in the weights, the class-dropping Paper Promise looks decent value at 7/2 with BetVictor to return to winning ways in the 2m 4f mares’ handicap hurdle at Musselburgh on Wednesday (16:40).
This Donald Whillans trained eight-year-old mare was a smart bumper performer when winning twice, including at this venue and scoring by seven lengths.
She also finished a solid 6 1/2 lengths seventh of 20 to Getaway Katie Mai in a Grade 2 at Aintree in a race which has thrown-up a whole host of subsequent winners.
Paper Promise went on to get off the mark over hurdles at the third time of asking when landing a seven-runner class 4 novice contest at Newcastle last March.
She rallied gamely to get the better of Darling Du Large – a winner since off 108 and now rated 114 – by three-quarters of a length.
The daughter of Gamut was allotted an opening mark of 109 on the back of that gutsy display. She has shaped as if needing her three starts this season following a 257-day break.
Class drop a plus for Paper Promise
In the second of those over 2m 4f at Newcastle, Paper Promise tracked the clear leader and eventual winner until weakening two from home to finish an 18 3/4 lengths fourth of seven to Theflickeringlight.
She then failed to build on that last time out when fourth at the same venue and heavily backed, but has been dropped another couple of pounds as a result.
Paper Promise is now able to race off a rating of 104. That makes her a huge player from a handicapping perspective on the pick of her form.
This is also a less competitive class 4 than ones she has been competing in this season.
She now goes back against her own sex, having been mixing it with the boys since her aforementioned fine effort at Aintree.
It makes this the easiest task she has faced in a long time. Another plus is that Callum Whillans takes off a handy 3lb with his claim.
So, taking everything into account, this looks like a great opportunity for Paper Promise to notch a fourth career success.
Bet of the Day: 7/2 with BetVictor, Paper Promise in the 2m 4f mares’ handicap hurdle at Musselburgh.
