15:10 Taunton

Wednesday 11 January 2017

All13:0513:3514:1014:4015:1015:40

Geoffrey Bosley 'Tally Ho' Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 5m 59.30s

Grandioso^t²⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 12-6| J: Mr Ed Bailey⁽⁷⁾| T: S Flook| OR: 121

28/1

Made a promising start for this yard and he's a consistent performer. Scored back-to-back wins when last seen before his summer break but he usually comes on for his first run after an absence and has never won over this far. Not out of this on old form though.

Form: 441-311

Mon Parrain^b,t²⁸³

Age: 11| Weight: 12-6| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 141

85/40

Ahead of most of these at the weights but he usually needs his first run after a break. Placed in a Grade 3 contest at Cheltenham three starts back but there may be bigger targets down the line. Shouldn't be ruled out regardless.

Form: 02/5125-

Tugboat³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-6| J: Mr J Smith-Maxwell⁽⁷⁾| T: G Slade-Jones| OR: 129

50/1

Pulled up in recent PTP, and disappointed as favourite when last seen, but that trip probably a bit sharp for him these days and this looks more suitable. Good chance if he returns to form.

Form: 7/PPPP-3

Victor Leudorum^t¹⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-6| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: S Flook| OR: 122

25/1

Reeled off a four-timer back in 2012 and recorded back-to-back wins when last seen. Most likely to need this run after a break if last three seasons are anything to go by. Makes first start for new yard.

Form: 40-P211

Lilbitluso³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Mr S Davies-Thomas⁽⁷⁾| T: J J O'Shea| OR: 103

6/1

Fell when an odds-on favourite in a PTP, and has done well in that sphere, but needs to step up markedly on that form level of form to get involved here.

Form: 111-12F

Our Chief^t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Mr Martin McIntyre⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Teresa Clark| OR: 96

66/1

Pulled up on reappearance in a PTP but found a new lease of life for this yard and claims if he can build on last start under rules.

Form: 3-11PPF

Bound For Glory^b1⁴⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Hannah Lewis⁽⁵⁾| T: D Fitch-Peyton| OR: 109

14/1

Not the most fluent jumper but has been in good form in PTPs recently. Dangerous if allowed to get to the front but that seems unlikely here.

Form: 511722-

Barel Of Laughs^p³¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: P Rowley| OR: 117

13/2

Good second in a hunters' chase at Cheltenham when last seen under rules and made a promising return on comeback in a PTP. Entitled to come on for that so warrants respect here.

Form: F/22131-

Colbert Station^t¹⁰⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Charlie Davies⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125

12/1

Unplaced on last 19 starts and begins career for a new yard. Obvious chance on old form but may struggle to get near that level at this age.

Form: 6432U2-

Foynes Island^b1¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss L J Cabble| OR: 109

16/1

Hasn't got off the mark for new yard under rules and trainer has very few runners in this sphere (never had a winner). Not without a place chance.

Form: 332-262

Hazy Tom¹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Matthew Hampton⁽⁵⁾| T: Karen Phillips-Hill| OR: 120

40/1

Been raced in PTPs on last couple of starts but hasn't been in great form finishing unplaced on both occasions. Hard to recommend on that basis and trainer's first runner under rules.

Form: 4P3234-

Lord Ben⁷⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: R Patrick⁽⁵⁾| T: D L Williams| OR: 135

22/1

Finished unplaced on last nine starts but certainly capable on his day. However, he prefers faster ground than he's likely to get here.

Form: 34232-3

Real Milan^p³¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr J H Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: Nick J Jones| OR: 125

5/1

Performed better as a chaser than a hurdler under rules and has been doing well in PTPs recently. Can be prone to a jumping error but he warrants respect on trainer and jockey's debut under rules.

Form: 11U122-

Richmond²⁵⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: P P Turner| OR: 112

16/1

In poor form when last seen but has won when fresh before and shouldn't be ruled out if he can overcome his latest outcome. Likely to get the soft ground he craves.

Form: 743313

Popaway^t²³⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-9| J: Miss Immy Robinson⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs P Harkin| OR: 113

33/1

Sole mare in the line up who's a smart jumper on her day. Put up a career best under this rider at Cheltenham winning a hunters' chase and the step back up in trip is a positive. More going for her than plenty of these.

Form: U1U111-

Non-Runners

Ambitious Pursuit³¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: Mrs L Glanville J: Miss Pippa Glanville

Forecasts

Mon Parrain (85/40), Real Milan (5/1), Lilbitluso (6/1), Barel Of Laughs (13/2), Colbert Station (12/1), Bound For Glory (14/1), Richmond (16/1), Foynes Island (16/1), Lord Ben (22/1), Victor Leudorum (25/1), Grandioso (28/1), Popaway (33/1), Hazy Tom (40/1), Tugboat (50/1), Ambitious Pursuit (50/1), Our Chief (66/1)

A typically tricky hunters' chase but BAREL OF LAUGHS gets the tentative call. He shaped well in a comeback run recently and may well build on that back in this sphere. A lot depends on whether Mon Parrain is ready to go after an absence but the booking of this talented amateur jockey hints he could be. The sole mare in the line-up, Popaway gets on well with her rider and is capable of grabbing a place. 1. Barel Of Laughs 2. Mon Parrain 3. Popaway