13:40 Wincanton

Thursday 18 January 2018

All13:1013:4014:1014:4515:2015:55

Higos Insurance Services Somerton Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 5m 53.20s

Contented⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 124

9/2

Progressing with each run over hurdles and enjoyed a comfortable success at Sedgefield last time. Probably needs to improve again for handicap debut, but that is not out of he question.

Form: 3-321

Max Forte^p1²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryony Frost⁽⁵⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 122| CD

8/1

Returns to hurdles after two fairly unpromising chasing starts in November/December when he was pulled-up both times. May need a stiffer test and cheekpieces tried for the first time.

Form: 9P42-PP

Hatchet Jack²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson| OR: 120

5/1

Had caught the eye in three novice events prior and did so again on last month's handicap debut at Ascot. Did not have the best of runs that day and left the impression he will soon be winning from this mark.

Form: F-27345

Vicenzo Mio^p1,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 120

16/1

Without a win in four years and has looked a doubtful stayer on recent starts. Handicap mark is looking more attractive as a result, but hard to fancy him here.

Form: 833-864

Savoy Court³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 117

14/1

Will strip fitter for last month's seasonal debut, but his handicap mark is no more than fair based on what he has achieved so far over hurdles.

Form: 41/9P2-5

Maguire's Glen²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: M Hamill⁽⁵⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 117

5/1

Heavy ground winner at Newton Abbott in October and bounced back to a similar level of form last time when conditions were again testing. Revised mark leaves him vulnerable to one of the less exposed types in the field.

Form: 21P732

Martabot³⁰³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 111

25/1

A tendency to hang under pressure has made him look a tricky ride. Will not mind the ground, but that trait needs to be ironed out and his fitness has to be taken on trust. Stable took this in 2016.

Form: 42/5F24-

Beau Phil^h,t⁴⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 110

25/1

Returns from 16 months on the sidelines having won a modest Newton Abbot maiden hurdle on last start. That came over 2m on good ground, but he handles soft conditions and stays further. Not badly treated if the market suggests he is ready.

Form: 3/33241-

Fenlons Court²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁷⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 109

14/1

Had shown enough on his first two starts over hurdles to suggest he was worth watching when sent handicapping. Last run was a step in the wrong direction and this looks a tough introduction to these ranks.

Form: 32-6356

Tea Time Fred^p1⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 109

28/1

Last win came in May 2016 and he has struggled since falling in December the same year. Remains 2lb above that last winning mark and cheekpieces will need to have a dramatic effect.

Form: P0-PUP5

Tudors Treasure¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: C Gethings⁽³⁾| T: R Stephens| OR: 105

10/1

Will have needed latest run, but looked a well-treated horse when easing to victory in the Ffos Las mud in March. The ground would have been too quick in the interim , so one to take seriously with much in his favour and a good claimer on board.

Form: 62316-7

Black Anthem⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Dave Crosse| T: B Barr| OR: 105

28/1

Has looked in both starts since return from an absence. Feasibly treated on some of his novice form and holds each-way claims.

Form: 023277

The Mad Well^p,t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: M G Nolan| T: K Bishop| OR: 103| D

7/1

Well-handicapped on the best of his Irish form, but his form for three different trainers over here proves he is not the force he was.

Form: P9003-9

Mountain Of Mourne⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: James Best| T: Miss L Blackford| OR: 102| C

50/1

Produced one good run in six last season and it is two years since his last success. Soon in trouble last time and this is a better race.

Form: P269P-P

Forecasts

Contented (9/2), Hatchet Jack (5/1), Maguire's Glen (5/1), The Mad Well (7/1), Max Forte (8/1), Tudors Treasure (10/1), Savoy Court (14/1), Fenlons Court (14/1), Vicenzo Mio (16/1), Beau Phil (25/1), Martabot (25/1), Tea Time Fred (28/1), Black Anthem (28/1), Mountain Of Mourne (50/1)

Contented has been given a feasible mark for his handicap debut having comfortably beaten a good yardstick last time. However, conceding lumps of weight to some of these rivals may prove a tough ask. Hatchet Jack has caught the eye on each of his starts and promises to be winning soon, although it may be the case that victory will come over further than this. Towards the foot of the weights Black Anthem and TUDORS TREASURE appeal as a couple who could go well at a decent price. The latter has shown a liking for testing conditions, having cruised home at Ffos Las in March, and with a good claimer on board he should go close off his featherweight.