12:20 Wincanton

Thursday 23 November 2017

All12:2012:5013:2514:0014:3515:10

Jockey Club Catering Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:20 | Winning time: 5m 19.57s

Cotswold Road^b,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 100

6/1

Apart from one placed effort, he has struggled in novice and handicap company over hurdles. On the plus side, he is 15lb lower than his first mark so he may yet be able to make an impact for his leading stable.

Form: 08/R6F-0

Prince Mahler⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: D A Jacob| T: R Woollacott| OR: 99

11/1

Won two races within the space of a fortnight in April and, inevitably, the handicapper had his say. Inching back down to his last winning mark, however, and has run respectably on last couple of starts.

Form: 1-62567

Calculated Risk²²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 97| D

20/1

Winner of six races over hurdles, but the last of those was back in March, last year. Has dropped to a lenient mark and could be a threat on his first run for this trainer following a break.

Form: 358476-

Gaelic Flow³²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 96

40/1

Unplaced in three starts in bumpers and three over hurdles. Beaten a long way in a novice hurdle at 250-1 at this track last time and has it all to do on his handicap debut.

Form: 788F05-

Kentford Myth^t1³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: A Thornton| T: J W Mullins| OR: 95| CD

9/1

Has won over fences and hurdles at this track, but last two runs have been at Worcester and she was beaten a long way in both. Back to her last winning mark over timber, though, so not without hope with a tongue tie fitted for the first time.

Form: 4U5P-46

Breaking Ground^t³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs R Ford| OR: 94

22/1

Placed three times in point-to-points, but exploits over hurdles have been ordinary and he was beaten quite a long way over C&D on last start in October. Runs off 5lb lower, but needs to show improvement.

Form: 366977

Somerset Jem²¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Conor Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: K Bishop| OR: 92| C

5/1

Won a handicap hurdle in decisive fashion at this course in February, last year, but shot up the weights and has been in the grip of the handicapper. Recent efforts have not suggested a return to winning ways is imminent.

Form: 7/46057-

Without Frontier^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 91

6/1

Has not always looked straightforward, but there was not much wrong with his reappearance run at Exeter where he finished third of 10. Has gone down 2lb and has to be considered with the champion jockey in the saddle.

Form: 9UU23-3

Daytime Ahead⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Nick Scholfield| T: R J Hodges| OR: 89| CD

9/2

Only hurdles win came over C&D in March when trained by Simon Hodgson. Shaped quite nicely on first start for this trainer at Newton Abbot following a break and has prospects off the same mark.

Form: 66164-4

Scrumpy Boy³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Bryony Frost⁽⁵⁾| T: R Woollacott| OR: 89

9/2

Has yet to hit the frame in seven starts over hurdles, four of them in handicaps. Behind Without Frontier at Exeter last time and no obvious reason why he should turn the tables.

Form: 040-975

Richardofdoccombe^t²⁴⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: Miss G Haywood| OR: 84

40/1

Veteran who has not won for well over two years and has shown little over fences and hurdles since then. Returns from a break, but is hard to make a case for.

Form: 4456/9P-

Karl Marx^b⁹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Dave Crosse| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 79| C

25/1

Winner of five races over hurdles, the latest coming at Chepstow in March. Only 2lb higher, but was not at his best when last seen in the summer.

Form: 16-33P0

Bahumbug^p,t1¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: James Best| T: Miss J Du Plessis| OR: 62

66/1

Wore cheekpieces for the first time when pulled up at Exeter on his first start for current trainer. They are retained and a tongue tie is fitted for the first time, but he does not appeal as a likely winner.

Form: 474-P3P

Non-Runners

Ermyn's Emerald³¹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: P Phelan J: Sean Houlihan

Forecasts

Daytime Ahead (9/2), Scrumpy Boy (9/2), Somerset Jem (5/1), Without Frontier (6/1), Cotswold Road (6/1), Kentford Myth (9/1), Prince Mahler (11/1), Ermyn's Emerald (12/1), Calculated Risk (20/1), Breaking Ground (22/1), Karl Marx (25/1), Richardofdoccombe (40/1), Gaelic Flow (40/1), Bahumbug (66/1)

Not the strongest of contests and one which presents WITHOUT FRONTIER with a good chance of getting off the mark over hurdles. He would not need to improve much on his seasonal reappearance display and the presence of the champion jockey on board only enhances his prospects. Calculated Risk has dropped to a lenient mark and could figure, while others to consider are Kentford Myth, Ermyn's Emerald and Daytime Ahead.