14:10 Taunton

Monday 12 March 2018

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

Event Care Global Ltd Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 45.2s

Classico Dais^p⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-3| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 102

15/2

Has claims on form of second placed efforts at Chepstow and Stratford this autumn but disappointed on last start at Wetherby. May do better returnng from winter break and has claims.

Form: 052-227

In The Hold³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 101| D

9/2

Returned to current handler after a season point-to-pointing and landed handicap chase in decent fashion at Catterick last month. Assuming he remains in good heart switching back to timber, another bold bid looks on the cards.

Form: F131-P1

Minella Gathering³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Henderson| OR: 97

11/1

Seems to go well on sharp tracks with career wins at Fakenham and Plumpton, so should handle this circuit. Disppointing though last time off career-high mark and looks to have it to do on balance.

Form: 382126

Garrane²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 96

7/2

Best effort to date when third of 18 at Wincanton last time out. Runs off same mark so entitled to be thereabouts if in similar form.

Form: 008443

De Bene Esse^h,t1⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: A Wintle| OR: 94| D

33/1

First-time tongue-tie for for this eight-year-old who makes his debut for new connections have been badly out of form under Rules and between the flags over the last 18 months. Others preferred.

Form: 5/PFP-48

Fearsome Fred³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Dave Crosse| T: Dr J R J Naylor| OR: 94

8/1

Placed in each of his last three starts in similar company and went very close at Towcester last time in testing conditions. Raised 2lb but will give supporters another good run for their money.

Form: 74-7232

Ballyantics⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 92

6/1

Seven-race maiden, but best effort came when third over C&D in December. Not disgraced when fifth at Wetherby recently so and top jockey back on board now.

Form: 607835

Deckers Delight^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 91

25/1

Landed staying handicap hurdle at Herefrod in December 2016 but has been on the slides since then and now runs off 9lb lower mark. Didn't show much when well beaten last time and hard to enthuse over.

Form: 376-PP9

Georgina Joy^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: S Bowen| T: N J Hawke| OR: 78| BF

11/2

Didn't show much in first five outings but money was down and only just failed to justify favouritism over C&D 20 days ago. Tongue-tie applied that day is declared again and connections may be out to recover losses off 4lb higher mark.

Form: 967062

Whiskey John^p⁹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: T Dowling⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs L J Young| OR: 76

25/1

Takes a big step up in trip after pulling up over 2m2f last time. Only decent effort this term came when third at Exeter in November. Interesting to see if he can see out this longer race.

Form: 33-U36P

Residence And Spa^t⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-1| J: T J Phelan| T: Mrs H E Rees| OR: 72| CD

25/1

Only two outings in the last 26 months, pulling up each time. One win in 35 career starts came over C&D in heavy ground way back in December 2013. Appears to have plenty on his plate.

Form: 3992/PP

Dirty Dexter^p1,t1³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: James Davies| T: G Harris| OR: 69

40/1

Runs from 2lb out of the handicap and wears first-time cheekpieces. Has failed to even reach a place in all 10 starts to date and pulled up last two outings. Impossible to recommend.

Form: 7P-P4PP

Admiral Blake^t1³⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: James Best| T: Mrs L J Young| OR: 64| C| D

22/1

Without a win for four years and runs from 7lb out of the handicap. Beaten an aggregate of more than 200 lengths over his last three races and it could be more of the same here.

Form: 055457

Non-Runners

Classula¹⁹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: Miss C Dyson J: J M Quinlan

River Dun²⁰

Weight: 11-5| Age: 8

T: D Pipe J: Michael Heard

Forecasts

Garrane (7/2), In The Hold (9/2), Georgina Joy (11/2), Ballyantics (6/1), Classico Dais (15/2), Fearsome Fred (8/1), River Dun (10/1), Minella Gathering (11/1), Admiral Blake (22/1), Residence And Spa (25/1), Deckers Delight (25/1), Whiskey John (25/1), De Bene Esse (33/1), Classula (33/1), Dirty Dexter (40/1)

They made plenty of use of GEORGINA JOY and tried to lead all the way here last time, just getting nailed close home. Slightly more patient tactics may make the necessary difference. Classico Dais is one for the shortlist returning from a break having shown some form in the autumnn, and Catterick chase winner In The Hold is in good heart and won't be far away switching to timber off a similar mark. Fearsome Fred and Garrane are not out of it, while there could be better to come from the relatively unexposed Garrane.