14:10 Wincanton

Sunday 29 October 2017

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:30

BT Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 5m 12.3s

Favorito Buck's²⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryony Frost⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 122

13/2

Looked as though he would be a top-class performer when he won a Listed hurdle on his debut in France but has never lived up to that billing for connections. Too soon to be giving up all hope on him though from a top class yard.

Form: 1P3/8P4-

Boagrius²⁰³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 122

9/2

Has his first run for this yard having previously been with Warren Greatrex for whom he never totally convinced over hurdles. Cost current connections £40,000 and now goes chasing for the first time; often travels strongly.

Form: 1/13224-

Gold Mountain^t¹⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 120

20/1

Has already looked better over fences than hurdles getting off the mark at Taunton in April. Raised 10lb for that win but still ran with credit on his only subsequent start and should be competitive.

Form: 723U1-3

Compadre^h,t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Killian Moore⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 120

13/2

Overall looked disappointing over hurdles but appears to have bucked up a little over fences with his Uttoxeter second his best effort yet. Ran with the choke out last time and that effort can be ignored and may do better here with the fizz out of him.

Form: 46F3-28

Ken's Well¹¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: James Davies| T: Miss J S Davis| OR: 118| D

20/1

His Irish hurdles form was fair highlighted by his win last time out at Wexford over 2m4f. Now goes chasing for a new yard and looks as though he will be suited by his new vocation and of interest.

Form: 234-221

Wilberdragon^p1,t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 118

4/1

His chasing efforts are probably best summed up as functional and he generally runs with credit although he does look vulnerable to an improver. Ran with credit an Fontwell last time and should give a good account but a place may be the best he can hope for.

Form: 93336-3

Bradford Bridge²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 112

14/1

His start to life over fences was a pretty lack-lustre one which resulted in him being pulled-up. His form over hurdles showed that he should be capable of holding his own over fences but does need to show more here.

Form: 32463-P

Farm The Rock²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 111

8/1

A winner in point-to-points when trained in Ireland his hurdles form was fair enough although his future always looked in this sphere. Set a stiff task on chasing debut over a trip that was too sharp and will find this test more suitable.

Form: 52474-5

Never Learn^t1²³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 107| BF

7/2

Failed to win over hurdles but showed some decent enough form without getting his head in front. Now switched to fences off the same mark as he was off over hurdles with a tongue-tie applied for the first time; worth a glance in the market.

Form: P/73743-

Polkarenix^t⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: B G Powell| OR: 104

50/1

Showed a lot more over hurdles when trained in France than he has over fences in Britain. Would be a surprise winner of this even off a lowly mark.

Form: 957P-45

Forecasts

Never Learn (7/2), Wilberdragon (4/1), Boagrius (9/2), Compadre (13/2), Favorito Buck's (13/2), Farm The Rock (8/1), Bradford Bridge (14/1), Ken's Well (20/1), Gold Mountain (20/1), Polkarenix (50/1)

A little bit of a mixed bag here and those with chasing form already in the book are hardly the most convincing bunch. Wilberdragon ran a fair race on his return but he’s had plenty of chances in races like this as has Favorito Buck’s although he might just be best caught fresh. Boagrius is worth looking at in the market on his debut for his new yard but he’s hardly one to set the pulse racing on his hurdles form. Gold Mountain should be able to win races off this mark but has an absence to overcome with Compadre respected if his last effort has taken the fizz out of him. NEVER LEARN makes his debut over fences in this but his hurdles form suggested he could win off this mark and the break and a tongue-tie (first-time) suggests that he may well have had his wind tinkered with and might be capable of better.