13:35 Taunton

Thursday 14 December 2017

All12:0012:3013:0513:3514:1014:4515:1515:50

Dave Criddle Travel & Wendy Wu Tours Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 4m 17.2s

New Millennium²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 109

10/1

Maiden of eight starts but has run well the last twice with a switch to front-running tactics including latest C&D third. 2lb higher here and tough to make all in field of this size but still considered as an apparent improver.

Form: 364-933

Lord Fendale^h²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Jodie Hughes⁽⁷⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 109| D

66/1

Tipperary maiden hurdle winner has been below best in three starts since switched to this yard this term. Questions to answer even with handicap falling.

Form: 212-90U

Master Vintage^h³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Ian Popham| T: R T Phillips| OR: 108

16/1

Slightly better effort latest when fourth at Warwick but remains 6lb higher than mark of his only win to date and looks to have place chances at best.

Form: 83/146-4

Whin Park²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 107

12/1

Form thus far quite ordinary although some promise in penultimate start, his first handicap although he ultimately faded. Drop in trip might help here and with mark sliding not impossible we see an improved run.

Form: 9604-40

Primo Blue^h¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: Noel Williams| OR: 107

10/1

Maiden has been well beaten in two handicaps this term including just 11 days ago latest. Hard to see 1lb ease making any real difference today.

Form: 7/F66-95

Tobacco Road^p,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 106| CD

8/1

Won for the first time over hurdles on return over C&D. Handicapper adds 8lb so task harder but not ruled out here with that appearing an improvement on form to date.

Form: 32U47-1

I'll Be Your Clown¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr G Treacy⁽⁷⁾| T: S D Dixon| OR: 104| D

66/1

Dual winner for Dan Skelton but shown next to nothing in three starts for current yard and been 100/1 in each. Leap of faith required.

Form: 1359P7

Hidden Oasis^t1³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 102

28/1

Shown some ability in four starts over hurdles but this three-time flat winner still has stamina questions to answer. First-time tongue tie looking to help him last home.

Form: 3555

Status Quo^h,t²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 101

12/1

Probably ran best race to date latest when 6¼L fifth to Tobacco Road over C&D. 8lb better off with that rival today so should get much closer and could remain on the up.

Form: P463-05

Jaunty Inflight⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: C J Down| OR: 100| C| D

33/1

Most of his races over fences for Dr Richard Newland although showed capability off similar marks over hurdles. Disappointing for this yard on return latest but handicap of appeal if he can bounce back.

Form: 12P1-PP

Franz Klammer²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 100

33/1

Moderate form to date and was a retreating third latest at Southwell when falling two out. Off the same mark he looks to have a bit to find.

Form: 89P-65U

Our Merlin³^{(ex 14)}

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: R Walford| OR: 86| D

11/10

Won twice this month already. Bolted up at Plumpton before following up in a canter at Fontwell under a penalty. Double penalty this time but anyone's guess how much he has improved so every chance he overcomes it.

Form: 00-6F11

Oscar's Song^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 95| BF

11/1

Given too much to do when a fast-finishing second at Ludlow two starts back and again settled a long way off the pace before staying on sixth behind Tobacco Road latest. Likely strong pace will aid her here so each-way chance.

Form: 328F26

Empty Marmalades¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 94

40/1

Showed little evidence to recommend him in a pair of bumpers and three hurdle races where he has been beaten over 20L. Opening mark low but more needed nonetheless.

Form: 0595/0

Mr Lando^t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Mr Garry Lavery⁽⁷⁾| T: J Farrelly| OR: 92| D

25/1

Last of three hurdle wins back in May 2015. Handicap falling all the time but beaten over 30L in both starts this term so hard to see him capitalising.

Form: 3344-50

Non-Runners

Maid Of Tuscany²³

Weight: 10-13| Age: 6

T: N P Mulholland J: N D Fehily

Il Sicario⁴⁶

Weight: 10-10| Age: 3

T: W G M Turner J: Sean Houlihan

Forecasts

Our Merlin (11/10), Tobacco Road (8/1), New Millennium (10/1), Primo Blue (10/1), Oscar's Song (11/1), Maid Of Tuscany (12/1), Status Quo (12/1), Whin Park (12/1), Master Vintage (16/1), Mr Lando (25/1), Il Sicario (25/1), Hidden Oasis (28/1), Franz Klammer (33/1), Jaunty Inflight (33/1), Empty Marmalades (40/1), Lord Fendale (66/1), I'll Be Your Clown (66/1)

OUR MERLIN has looked a different horse this month and could barely have won more easily than in the two races he carries penalties for here. He looks likely to land the hat-trick today before re-assessment no doubt hits him hard. In a field of this size however he won't have things all his own way. Tobacco Road won well latest and he is certainly a danger. Oscar's Song is an alternative who still looks to have a big run in her and she will be seen to good effect if we get an end-to-end pace.