12:50 Wincanton

Thursday 23 November 2017

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

Direct Group Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:51 | Winning time: 5m 18.85s

Buckhorn Timothy⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 135| D

7/2

First run since finishing down the field in a chase at Chepstow in December saw him win a 3m2f handicap hurdle at Fontwell last month. Races off 3lb higher, which is fair, but this drop in trip is not sure to suit.

Form: 15/200-1

Springtown Lake²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 129| D

10/3

Plenty of promise when second on his hurdling debut at Ascot and confirmed that when winning over this trip in a similar contest at Worcester last month. Runs in handicap company for the first time and has leading claims.

Form: 202-1

Fou Et Sage¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington| OR: 128

3/1

Winning hurdler/chaser in France, but has not been able to match those displays in this country, although recent eighth to Elgin at Ascot looks decent in the light of that one's subsequent big-race victory. Has a squeak off 3lb lower.

Form: 1227-08

Dubawi Island³⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 128

12/1

Five wins from 13 starts over hurdles is a fair strike rate, but he has been lightly raced in the last couple of years and has lost his way. Well handicapped if anything like his old self following another break.

Form: 1820P/P-

Winning Spark²⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: James Best| T: Miss J Du Plessis| OR: 124| D

20/1

In good form at around this time last year, winning at Taunton and finishing second at this track. Has been given a break since being well held at Plumpton in March and has a stiff task off this mark.

Form: 521436-

Druid's Folly^h1,t¹⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 119

12/1

Pulled up on his last two starts in novice chases for Fergal O'Brien and starts out for a new stable. Return to hurdles should suit and he is feasibly weighted if able to given his best in a first-time hood following a break.

Form: 1352-PP

Volpone Jelois^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 118

13/2

Plenty of experience for one so young and ran well to be fourth behind Poppy Kay at Newbury last time. That is fair form and gives him every chance off a 1lb lower mark with a good claimer on board.

Form: 3232-44

Morianour⁴⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 116| BF| D

12/1

Won a Uttoxeter maiden hurdle on debut for this trainer, but could finish only second of three when odds-on to follow up at Bangor. Has been given some time off and runs in a handicap for the first time. One to consider.

Form: F/212-

Forecasts

Fou Et Sage (3/1), Springtown Lake (10/3), Buckhorn Timothy (7/2), Volpone Jelois (13/2), Druid's Folly (12/1), Morianour (12/1), Dubawi Island (12/1), Winning Spark (20/1)

Quite a trappy contest in which cases can be made for Dubawi Island (well weighted on his best form), Volpone Jelois (also nicely handicapped) and Morianour (first time in a handicap). They are each respected along with Fou Et Sage, whose last run behind Elgin reads well. Preference, though, is for the unexposed and seemingly-progressive SPRINGTOWN LAKE, who runs in a handicao for the first time after showing plenty of promise in a couple of maiden hurdles.