15:50 Taunton

Thursday 14 December 2017

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

Somerset County Gazette Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 6m 28.30s

Midnight Magic^p,t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 100

8/1

Left previous form behind when stepped up dramatically in trip latest, finishing third over C&D. 5lb higher today but has potential over this sort of distance.

Form: 6-46083

Limoncello⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Chester Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 100

12/1

Maiden tried over a variety of distances in both hurdles and chases. Not convinced he wants this far and in any case his form overall not too appealing.

Form: 553-537

Mondello^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: R Woollacott| OR: 100

7/1

Limited evidence over this sort of trip but not looked like he doesn't stay it. Handicapper eases him 2lb today and competitive off this mark before so has each-way claims.

Form: 66-2553

Innisfree Lad²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Aidan Coleman| T: David Dennis| OR: 99

10/1

Beaten 20L plus in three novice contests to date. Steps up 4f here for handicap debut but not seen evidence of that being likely to yield big improvement.

Form: 378-09

Sahara Haze²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: P C Dando| OR: 93

8/1

Fair efforts last twice at Chepstow over 2m7½f. Now a 17-race maiden however and not looked the easiest of rides in the past so hard to be confident.

Form: 8D3-943

Ballyantics²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 91

16/1

Yet to make the first five in as many starts and latest, his handicap debut at Fontwell saw him well beaten eighth of 11. Low mileage but much more needed.

Form: 7-6078

Breaking Ground^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R P McLernon| T: Mrs R Ford| OR: 90| D

33/1

Limited form in novice events last season and not shown anything to suggest he is close to a winning mark so far in handicaps this term either.

Form: 669775

Fearsome Fred¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Dave Crosse| T: Dr J R J Naylor| OR: 90

20/1

First handicap start back in April quite promising when fourth at Chepstow. Below that effort here on return a fortnight ago but ought to be fitter now and ease by handicapper helps.

Form: P5/774-7

Sheelbewhatsheelbe²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Ian Popham| T: R T Phillips| OR: 90

7/1

Staying on second of 14 latest over 2m4f at Uttoxeter comfortably her best run to date. Appears to be crying out for this sort of trip so looks a leading player today.

Form: 8673-42

Gaelic Flow²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: C Gethings⁽³⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 89

11/1

Never sighted in four starts over hurdles to date including handicap debut latest. Jockey booking a positive but that alone not enough to recommend.

Form: 88F05-7

Cheque En Blanc²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 89| BF

7/4

In rather exclusive company as a race winner although it was a bumper some time ago. Decent thirds in both starts since switched to current yard and up in trip here. Evidence in past inconclusive for 3m.

Form: P7-6633

Non-Runners

Millen Dollar Man²⁵

Weight: 11-0| Age: 8

T: Alexandra Dunn J: Miss H Welch

Forecasts

Cheque En Blanc (7/4), Sheelbewhatsheelbe (7/1), Mondello (7/1), Sahara Haze (8/1), Midnight Magic (8/1), Innisfree Lad (10/1), Gaelic Flow (11/1), Limoncello (12/1), Ballyantics (16/1), Millen Dollar Man (16/1), Fearsome Fred (20/1), Breaking Ground (33/1)

SHEELBEWHATSHEELBE ran really well at Uttoxeter last month and that not the first time she has been noted making late progress over 2m4f. This step up could well yield the improvement needed to get off the mark. Midnight Magic showed himself in a far better light last time when upped to 3m and he looks sure to win races over this sort of trip. Also worth considering is Cheque En Blanc who has shown signs of a revival since switched to Gary Moore.