14:45 Taunton

Tuesday 9 January 2018

All12:3513:0513:3514:1014:4515:2015:50

Greenslade Taylor Hunt Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 5m 5.40s

Fidux³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Kevin Dowling⁽⁷⁾| T: A King| OR: 134

3/1

Yet to win beyond 2m, but goes well on decent ground and is proven going right handed. Beaten less than 5L when fourth to A Hare Breath in a 2m Listed contest at Sandown latest (good to soft) and that represents a solid effort.

Form: 303-4U4

Rejaah^t⁴⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Hawke| OR: 131| CD

20/1

Boasts a C&D success (April 2016) amongst her four victories from six starts over hurdles. Didn't fully convince over fences despite winning, and has her first start since September 2016 today.

Form: 118212-

Blairs Cove^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Ian Popham| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| D

14/1

A two time winner since joining this stable, with both of those victories coming on good ground at Warwick (novice hurdles). Made the frame when beaten just shy of 8L by Oski at Doncaster latest (3m).

Form: 121533

Bandsman¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 124| D

10/1

Remains light on hurdles experience, but managed to win twice as a novice in December 2016 (up to 2m2f+). Yet to really prove he's worthy of his current mark in handicaps, but this trip looks more suitable than the 2m that he tried here latest.

Form: 22110-5

Canelie⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: N P Madden| T: H Fry| OR: 124

10/1

Pulled up (clinically abnormal) on her final start for Gordon Elliott at Cork in November (2m4f soft to heavy). A six race hurdles maiden, but no doubting she can win races and fascinating to see what the switch to England brings.

Form: 2628-4P

Here's Herbie^t⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 121| CD

4/1

Beaten 16L by Padleyourowncanoe (received 20lb) on his penultimate start over C&D in December, but renews battle on far better terms. Looked all over the winner when falling two out at Exeter on New Years Day, and returns off the same mark.

Form: 2U85-4F

Padleyourowncanoe²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 127| CD

2/1

Proved a fine acquisition from humble AW origins, and made it 2 from 3 for this stable when bolting up by 8L over C&D last month (Here's Herbie third). Mullered by the assessor since; up 12lb, so needs a career best off a mark of 127.

Form: 3411

Holdbacktheriver²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 112| BF

11/1

Respectable efforts in novice hurdles (2m heavy), without appearing anything out of the ordinary. Tries a new trip and quicker ground, both of which could prove to his liking (by Presenting), but needs more on his handicap debut to score.

Form: 4-U32

Forecasts

Padleyourowncanoe (2/1), Fidux (3/1), Here's Herbie (4/1), Canelie (10/1), Bandsman (10/1), Holdbacktheriver (11/1), Blairs Cove (14/1), Rejaah (20/1)

A tough race to solve despite being the smallest field of the afternoon. Fidux met much stronger rivals than these at Sandown when fourth in a Listed contest last month, but he has a fraction to prove (stamina wise) over this 2m3f trip. Blairs Cove should appreciate dropping back from 3m at Doncaster, and appears the pick of the Skelton representatives, but the race probably revolves around Padleyourowncanoe and HERE'S HERBIE. The selection is effectively a winner without a penalty following his unfortunate Exeter fall, and although well and truly put in his place by the Colin Tizzard new recruit over C&D last month, that race was his first start since April, and he does recommence battle on much healthier terms today.