16:30 Wincanton

Saturday 18 February 2017

All13:4014:1514:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Betway Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 5m 32.7s

Amantius^b¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Farrelly| OR: 106

17/2

Returned from a spell on the Flat to land back-to-back handicaps at Leicester and over C&D but never looked like adding to his tally off an 11lb higher mark at Southwell latest. Better than he showed there and too early to be writing him off.

Form: 504/621

Somerset Jem⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: James Best| T: K Bishop| OR: 104

10/1

Only win from seven hurdle starts came in this race last year (17lb lower mark) and was a runner-up here next time off a revised mark. Unimpressive in two chase starts this term but respected as he reverts to timber on a course that clearly suits.

Form: 0P127-4

Phare Isle^p,t¹⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁷⁾| T: B I Case| OR: 102

20/1

Veteran performer who has been out of luck since scoring at Market Rasen in April 2015 but has tumbled down the weights as a result and wasn't beaten far over 3m at Doncaster last time. Others still preferred.

Form: 447431-

Scales¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: R Patrick⁽⁷⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 102

12/1

Capable sort when it all drops right but patchy overall profile and hasn't raced with any sparkle this season, unseating early at Taunton latest. Others have more convincing claims.

Form: 83U65-7

Periquest^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 100

11/2

Lightly-raced for his age but showed his potential when running out a gutsy winner over 2m4f at Huntingdon (good to soft) last winter. Looked in need of the outing when returning from a year off at Uttoxeter latest, better anticipated here.

Form: 4P52/21-

Madame Lafite²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: J G Portman| OR: 99

12/1

Modest Flat maiden who was placed in a mares' novices' hurdle contest at 100/1 at Fontwell in December and was still in contention when brought down two out at Leicester next time. Entitled to respect despite a 2lb rise.

Form: /703B

Saint Breiz^p,t¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Robert Hawker⁽⁷⁾| T: C J Gray| OR: 99

33/1

Only victory in 21 starts under rules was a shock 66/1 success as a novice over this C&D three years ago and has largely struggled since. Hard to fancy after a lifeless most recent effort at Exeter.

Form: 5/P0P4F-

I'llhavealook^p²³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-2| J: Page Fuller⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs K Stephens| OR: 94

20/1

In-and-out performer who has notched a couple of seconds since scoring his only hurdles success at Newton Abbot last spring but most recent efforts over longer trips suggest the handicapper still holds sway. Tough task.

Form: 204622-

Rainbow Haze⁴⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽⁷⁾| T: P C Dando| OR: 94

16/1

Relishes a test of stamina, as he showed to win over 2m7f in the mud at Chepstow last winter but he has never really looked like adding to that tally off higher marks. Handicapper is starting to show mercy, however.

Form: 8/275PP-

Prince Mahler^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Woollacott| OR: 94

40/1

Still lightly-raced but has flattered to deceive over hurdles and a switch to fences has failed to spark any improvement. May appreciate a return to hurdling but looks harshly-treated on what he has actually achieved.

Form: 50411-6

Gonnabegood^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 92

25/1

Glimpses of promise in novice events at around this trip and probably better than he showed over a longer trip on his handicap debut at Ludlow. Dropped 5lb, so shouldn't be discounted lightly.

Form: 38

John Daniell¹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr M Legg⁽⁵⁾| T: J G Cann| OR: 91

25/1

Prolific performer in point-to-points, winning on 10 occasions, but no wins from three previous chase runs and it's a surprise to see him return from a long absence to make a belated hurdling debut.

Form: 2142/P5-

Sizing Sahara¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Mr B Paris-Crofts⁽⁷⁾| T: P Henderson| OR: 87

25/1

Won a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan almost four years ago but lightly-raced since and hard to get excited about despite signs of a revival when reaching the frame in a weak race at Towcester latest.

Form: F544-PU

Arden Denis²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: David Bass| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 87

2/1

Well-placed to win a weak novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (soft) just over two years ago and has been sent off favourite for both starts since returning from a lay-off for a new yard, reaching the frame on both occasions. Probably has more to offer, should again be competitive off present mark.

Form: 75561/4

Denny Kerrell^p,t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: J McGrath| T: J W Mullins| OR: 82

7/1

Little impact in first seven starts over hurdles but dropped in the weights accordingly and first signs that there may be races to be won with him at Lingfield latest when fourth over 2m3f. Others still more convincing, however.

Form: 094063-

Comical Red^b¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Dave Crosse| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 69

80/1

Twice a winner over hurdles in the distant past but hasn't looked in love with the game since going chasing and, though this return to timber will be welcomed, he looks one to avoid.

Form: 7R8372

Non-Runners

General Girling¹⁰

Weight: 10-3| Age: 10

T: S Hodgson J: Tom Cheesman

Forecasts

Arden Denis (2/1), Periquest (11/2), Denny Kerrell (7/1), Amantius (17/2), Somerset Jem (10/1), Scales (12/1), Madame Lafite (12/1), Rainbow Haze (16/1), I'llhavealook (20/1), Phare Isle (20/1), Sizing Sahara (25/1), Gonnabegood (25/1), John Daniell (25/1), Saint Breiz (33/1), General Girling (33/1), Prince Mahler (40/1), Comical Red (80/1)

ARDEN DENNIS has been sent off favourite for both starts since returning from a lay-off for a new yard and, though he hasn't quite delivered, the suspicion is that he remains favourably-treated, particularly on a right-handed track which should play to his advantage. Madame Lafite doesn't have the most attractive of profiles but she was bang there until unluckily brought down at Leicester and should again be competitive. If there is any each-way value, it may lurk in the shape of Gonnabegood with Periquest also respected. 1. Arden Denis 2. Madame Lafite 3. Gonnabegood