15:45 Taunton

Saturday 30 December 2017

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1515:45

Collect totepool Winnings From Betfred Shops Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 5m 4.20s

Atlantic Storm^h,t⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-1| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 112

14/1

Failed to complete on his chasing debut last time out (tongue-tie on for first time; retained here and hood added). Has won over hurdles for this yard off 3lb lower but beaten off higher marks in two further hurdles starts; travels well and not out of this off 112.

Form: 4814-6F

Flo'sboy Sam²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 12-1| J: Mitchell Bastyan| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 112

25/1

His best run on two starts for this yard came on debut when allowed to dictate a steady pace (form looks dubious) at Plumpton over 2m. Now makes his handicap debut with a good conditional booked but failed to build on his previous last time and has questions to answer on handicap debut.

Form: 88-47

Western Wave²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: C Gethings⁽³⁾| T: T R George| OR: 111

5/2

Only lightly-raced for this yard but does have a novice handicap hurdle under his belt for his previous yard. Certainly ran well enough last time out to be considered for this although the drop back to this distance is a slight negative.

Form: 140-462

The Green Ogre^b²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: William Clarke⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 109

25/1

Looks to have plenty to prove in this sphere after mainly running over fences of late managing to win over the larger obstacles in early 2016. Well held on both of his most recent starts back from an absence and others make more appeal.

Form: 2331/8P

Delface^b⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Michael Heard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 107

12/1

Won on his debut for this yard at Ffos Los in novice company and looked as though he may well be able to improve further in handicaps. That hasn't proved to be the case, but it may be too soon to write him off totally.

Form: 01-1796

Camron De Chaillac^v1⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 105

3/1

The first-time cheekpieces appeared to spark some improvement last time out and he's now tried in a visor (first-time). Still to get his head in front though and always appears to find one too good; positive tactics tried last time out.

Form: 627-653

Scales³³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 103| CD

25/1

Has form figures at this course which read 313U and appreciated the drop in grade to win a selling handicap at Newton Abbot in October. Wasn't in the same form in better company last time out but may appreciate a return to this track and trip.

Form: 65-7216

Westerbee^h³¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁶⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 103

33/1

Winner of a Lingfield novice hurdle (made all) late last year her efforts in handicaps have so far been very modest. Failed to settle on her debut in handicaps and although she settled better last time (held-up) she still failed to respond to pressure.

Form: 61U5P3-

Dr Dunraven^h²²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Stock⁽⁶⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 102

8/1

Not seen since May when he had his debut run for this yard shaping quite nicely in a low-grade Uttoxeter handicap off this mark. Winner got first run on him that day and he should do as well here although others may have a fitness edge.

Form: 776P4-2

Prince Mahler³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Stan Sheppard| T: R Woollacott| OR: 100| C

7/1

Showed much improved form to land a brace of handicaps earlier in the year at Ffos Las and here over further, the latter win coming off a 5lb lower mark. Ran well enough after a break last time out (travelled well) to be on the short list here.

Form: 625672

Arthur Burrell^t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Kieron Edgar| T: Miss J Du Plessis| OR: 98

25/1

Pulled-up over fences here last time out when he was let down by his jumping he now reverts to hurdles in a recovery bid. His form over hurdles is very modest though and even off a career low mark in this sphere he's passed over.

Form: 37-336P

Somerset Jem³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Tom Cheesman| T: K Bishop| OR: 92

7/1

Form figure last time out fails to tell the whole story and he can be considered to be better than that run. Moved well into the race until losing his action in the closing stages and may be capable off this mark.

Form: 46057-P

Ice Konig³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁵⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 92

40/1

His losing run now stretches back to June 2015 and he's offered very little of late and looked very laboured back from a break last time. 5lb below that last winning mark but would need others to underperform to take a hand here.

Form: 355-740

Non-Runners

Tikken Away³⁰

Weight: 12-1| Age: 6

T: R Walford J: Jack Sherwood

Gilly Grace²²

Weight: 10-0| Age: 7

T: J D Frost J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Western Wave (5/2), Camron De Chaillac (3/1), Somerset Jem (7/1), Prince Mahler (7/1), Dr Dunraven (8/1), Tikken Away (10/1), Delface (12/1), Atlantic Storm (14/1), Arthur Burrell (25/1), The Green Ogre (25/1), Flo'sboy Sam (25/1), Scales (25/1), Gilly Grace (25/1), Westerbee (33/1), Ice Konig (40/1)

A somewhat low-grade but competitive finale with top weight Atlantic Storm returning to hurdles and looking as though he can play a part off this mark. Western Wave is another who figures on what looks to be a fair mark but the trip may be a little on the sharp side for him. Prince Mahler needs to be considered after he ran well back from a break last time and he generally travels well in his race. Dr Dunraven and Somerset Jem are two others that should be noted although fitness for both could prove to be a question mark. All in all a chance is taken with TIKKEN AWAY who makes his handicap debut and this yard are no stranger to improvers in handicap company and he’s well worth noting in the market here and could well win first time up in this sphere.