14:50 Taunton

Sunday 4 February 2018

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:30

Bathwick Tyres Taunton Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 4m 22.3s

Unison¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 135| D

10/1

Ran a good race to be only 11½L behind The New One at Grade 2 level last time (in the Champion Hurdle Trial). Back handicapping now and a definite contender in a much easier race.

Form: 10-1953

Peruvien Bleu⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Chester Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 129| D

8/1

Out of his depth at Listed level at Ascot last time out. Has been given a short break since but has possibly crept too high in the weights now returning to a more suitable level of competition.

Form: 1-12410

Go Long⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: L P Aspell| T: Evan Williams| OR: 128

12/1

Yet to really convince in two handicap hurdles; needs to show more up against some in-form rivals having been dropped just 1lb from his last run.

Form: 2312/P-4

Friday Night Light^p1,t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 121| D

11/4

Off the mark over hurdles on handicap debut last time. Up 10lb but improving over hurdles and another bold bid seems likely with headgear fitted for the first time.

Form: 321

Blairs Cove^t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 121| D

12/1

Promising novice at the beginning of the season but has lost his way badly since and drops in trip after finishing last of seven at Uttoxeter when last seen.

Form: 153367

Mahlervous³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 120| D

7/2

Winner of a maiden hurdle two starts ago and still finished second (though no match for winner) in a novice event last time. Further progression possible now handicapping; big player.

Form: 4-912

Volpone Jelois^p⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117| CD

7/1

No win since getting off the mark over hurdles more than a year ago over this C&D. Has been running fairly well on the Flat recently and not ruled out for a place returning to hurdles.

Form: 232-445

Comrade Conrad²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 121| D

4/1

Took his form to a new level to get off the mark at Ludlow last time out. Every chance he could come on again and be competitive here in conditions which clearly suit him.

Form: 41

Forecasts

Friday Night Light (11/4), Mahlervous (7/2), Comrade Conrad (4/1), Volpone Jelois (7/1), Peruvien Bleu (8/1), Unison (10/1), Go Long (12/1), Blairs Cove (12/1)

The improving Friday Night Light holds obvious claims having won on soft ground at Newbury last time but a chance is taken on UNISON. Not disgraced behind The New One in Grade 2 company last time out this is obviously a much easier assignment and he's only 3lb higher than when winning well at Huntingdon in November. Comrade Conrad took a step forward to get off the mark at Ludlow last time and completes the tricast.