13:20 Taunton
Wednesday 1 November 2017
All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:20
Bet toteplacepot At betfred.com 'Hands And Heels' Handicap Hurdle (Conditionals/Amateurs)
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  2m 3f 1y  |  Good to Firm (Good in places)  |  14 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 13:20Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 28.8s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Step back up in trip here is a positive given he often seems outpaced over shorter nowadays (including on the Flat the last twice), and though his losing run has built up he clearly retains ability.
Failed to build on a comprehensive victory at Exeter earlier in the month at Uttoxeter last time when well-beaten as a short-priced favourite. That was on soft ground and he may be worth another chance back on a likely sounder surface.
A winner at Fontwell over fences in June but his form has tailed off in a major way since in both hurdles and chases, and a revival is needed here.
Has a tendency to lose momentum at hurdles by making a mistake, but has shown ability in similar races to this in the past, including at this course. Seems just as good, if not better, over this longer trip.
Dual-purpose performer who has his second start for this yard here having run just a fair race on stable debut last time out. Stamina for this trip unproven and others make more appeal.
Has returned to form recently following a short break, and having looked at his best over this trip recently he should be able to acquit himself well if overcoming a relatively high handicap mark.
Only vaguely promising performance recently has come in a very weak affair at Newton Abbot in September and he looks an unappealing prospect on his form in handicaps.
In good form over hurdles last year, has been restricted to two fair performances over fences so far this year (both at this course), and can do better now reverting to the smaller obstacles.
First run over hurdles since October 2015, when winning off 8lb lower, but generally campaigned as a chaser these days and possible this will be a starting point for races over fences.
Seems at his best on a sound surface over slightly shorter than this so any rain would be a big concern, but having won as recently as August, off just 2lb lower, he clearly still retains ability.
Yet to get off the mark under either code and though shaping with some relative promise towards the end of last season his two efforts so far this campaign have been very poor.
Beaten 17L by Bambi Du Noyer at Exeter last time out but will need to take full advantage of being better off at the weights here in order to reverse that form and play a leading role.
Has run well in three starts since returning from a summer break, with his form having leveled off somewhat at the end of last season. On another career-high mark but still seems to be steadily improving in handicap hurdles and is one to consider.
Inconsistent sort who is just 1/17 under rules but won that race in similar conditions to this. That was off 6lb lower, though, and some help from the handicapper is probably required.
Forecasts
Tunnel Creek (3/1), Cabernet D'Alene (9/2), Bambi Du Noyer (6/1), The Kid (7/1), Hollywood Ken (12/1), Midnight Gypsy (14/1), Tempuran (16/1), Polo The Mumm (16/1), Bohemian Rhapsody (16/1), Ladies Dancing (18/1), Yes Daddy (18/1), Tamarillo Grove (22/1), Purple 'n Gold (33/1), Vexillum (33/1)
An open-looking affair where few can be discounted out of hand, and perhaps POLO THE MUMM can take advantage of the change back to hurdles. Unconvincing over fences (0/10), Jackie Du Plessis' representative hasn't actually run too badly in two starts over the larger obstacles this year but is clearly best suited by hurdles and looks potentially well-handicapped on the basis of her form from last year. The Kid is on a career-high mark but should also be on the premises, while Bambi Du Noyer is better than he showed at Uttoxeter last time out.
- Polo The Mumm
- The Kid
- Bambi Du Noyer
Prize Money
1st: £4,549.002nd: £1,336.003rd: £668.004th: £334.00
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