14:40 Taunton

Monday 12 March 2018

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

Court Farm Butchers Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 34.90s

Flight To Milan³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

8/1

Didn't look an easy ride but showed improved last over C&D to finish third. More needed but has claims on his lastest effort.

Form: 603

Live For Today¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: C Poste| T: K Bishop

150/1

Has shown nothing in three starts under Rules to date, tailing off twice and pulling up once. Impossible to get excited about.

Form: 36PP-09

Marble Moon³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams

33/1

Placed in two Irish bumpers last term for James Dullea but hasn't shown much in three outings for current connections. Needs to get his act together and has it to do on recent evidence.

Form: 32477

Nelson's Touch³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J W Mullins

2/1

Ran well in all five bumpers last term for Dennis Coakley, including when 10th in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. Not disgraced when unplaced in two novice hurdles at Newbury this term and may improve here in an easier race.

Form: 3240-57

Sandro Botticelli^p¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R P McLernon| T: Alexandra Dunn| D

16/1

Useful Flat stayer in his time with a highest rating of 107. Hasn't shown much at all in two runs on the AW this winter, but if the engine is still there would have an obvious chance if he can jump.

Form:

The Go Tou Man⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington

7/2

Signs of ability in two bumpers and better effort on second and latest hurdles start when fair fourth at Huntingdon. Another step forward needed but is worth considering.

Form: 2494

The Imitation Game²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner

20/1

Four runs in bumpers, showing a little form only on third start at Fontwell. Hopes rest on hurdling being her game but best to watch and see if there is any aptitude for this game.

Form: 00-47

Tierra Verde²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: S Bowen| T: H Whittington

7/1

Runner-up in Wetherby bumper last April. Ran free and faded from 2 out when third in Plumpton novice hurdle last time. Has some chance if able to settle.

Form: 42-753

Youngoconnor⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: D F O'Regan| T: Christian Williams

12/1

Placed in two point-to-points in January. Rules debut here but doesn't jump off the page as a winner in waiting. Interesting jockey booking though so market worth a glance.

Form: P32

Akkapenko²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

50/1

Three-time winner on Flat in French provinces last summer at up to 1m4f. Ran satisfactorily for much of the race on hurdling bow here last month before tiring. May do better. Yard among the winners of late.

Form: 0

Blushing Red¹⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle

6/1

2-11 on Flat for Ed Dunlop at up to 1m4f. First start for new connections who paid 38,000 gns for him. Shrewd yard may have him ready so enters calculations.

Form:

Non-Runners

Ilewin Geez¹⁹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 8

T: C J Mann J: N D Fehily

Luma's Gift¹⁹

Weight: 10-9| Age: 6

T: Miss C Dyson J: J M Quinlan

Kings Inn⁷²

Weight: 10-8| Age: 4

T: P F Nicholls J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Nelson's Touch (2/1), Ilewin Geez (11/4), The Go Tou Man (7/2), Blushing Red (6/1), Tierra Verde (7/1), Flight To Milan (8/1), Kings Inn (10/1), Youngoconnor (12/1), Sandro Botticelli (16/1), The Imitation Game (20/1), Marble Moon (33/1), Akkapenko (50/1), Luma's Gift (50/1), Live For Today (150/1)

Dual Flat winner BLUSHING RED is taken to make a winning debut over timber. He looks the type to do well at the winter game . Kings Inn is surely better than he showed on his hurdling bow here in December and rates a big danger, and Ilewin Geez is a major player if able to follow-up a fine comeback effort at Doncaster recently. Former listed Flat winner Sandro Botticelli would be a good thing if he still retains ability, but that is by no means certain. Flight To Milan, Akkapenko, and the possible improver Nelson's Touch are also worth a look.