16:10 Taunton

Monday 12 March 2018

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

Invest Southwest Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 5m 14.4s

Lord Ballim^h²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: C Gethings| T: N J Hawke| OR: 122| D

20/1

Won four times last spring but had been in the doldrums this term until going very close when beaten in three-way photo at Carlisle last time. Nicely handicapped on his best form.

Form: 1-60PP3

Box Office³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 120| D

20/1

Only win in Britain came over fences at Market Rasen in March last year. Ran well enough for a long way at Towcester last month after a long lay-off and may strip fitter. Market worth a check.

Form: 14-4334

First Mohican⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 120

11/1

Not raced over jumps for three years. Fair stayer, won 2m conditions race on AW last March and not knocked about on recent run after a break at Wolverhampton. 6lb lower than last run over timber so is of some interest.

Form: 144F38/

Little Miss Poet¹⁰⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 119| D

5/1

Won novice hurdles at Exeter and Newton Abbot last term and caught they eye running well for a long way when fifth in a good handicap hurdle at Ascot in November. Should stay and rates a leading contender.

Form: 21221-5

Balibour²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 119

6/1

Still a maiden but went close at Sandown over 2m last time and has been raised 3lb for his troubles. Won't be too far away.

Form: 465332

North West Wind²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 115

40/1

First time in a handicap for novice who has shown some ability in three starts so far. Trip should be fine and might be of interest if there are signs of market confidence in him.

Form: 433

Vado Forte^h³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: R T Dunne| T: T Lacey| OR: 114| BF

6/1

Progressive five-year-old form yard in cracking form (3-4 of late). Won at Warwick in January then beaten just a length there off 10lb hgher mark last month. Step up in trip definitely worth a try and another bold show not unlikely.

Form: 868212

Dovils Date²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 112| C

16/1

Last won over hurdles at Uttoxeter in September 2016 but has scored three times on the Flat since then. Found 2m here last time too sharp for him and this trip is better. 2lb lower now and has claims.

Form: 568594

Excellent Team^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 112

50/1

Scored at Ludlow off 4lb lower mark in October but has been a little disappointing in two starts since then. Yard a little quiet of late and others make more appeal.

Form: 844157

Flo'sboy Sam⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 108

33/1

Showed little in two starts for Robert Walford and hasn't done much better for current yard. Pulled up last time at Taunton and 4lb drop not likely to be enough to spark a revival.

Form: 88-47P

Delface^b,t⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Michael Heard⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 108

7/1

Almost exploited falling handicap mark when runner-up at Leicester seven weeks ago. Back up 4lb but still well weighted on pick of old form. Top trainer does well here.

Form: 179662

Triple Chief^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Frost⁽³⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 108| CD

4/1

Won over C&D in November then popped up again over fences here last month. Back to timber now off 8lb higher mark and has red-hot jockey on board.

Form: 241261

Baratineur¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: C Poste| T: K Bishop| OR: 107

28/1

Five poor runs over last 12 months and despite total 17lb plunge is hard to make a case for in current form.

Form: 49-6876

Martabot^t,v³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 107

12/1

Nine-race maiden beaten a long way on both outings to date this campaign. May need more help from the handicapper unless market speaks otherwise

Form: 5F24-P9

Caviar D'Allen⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: D F O'Regan| T: Christian Williams| OR: 102

8/1

Proabblay flatteed when fourth at 250/1 in Warwick novice hurdle in October and ran poorly only subsequent outing on handicap bow. 5lb lower now but can't be recommended.

Form: 2-84640

Non-Runners

Man Of Plenty²

Weight: 12-0| Age: 9

T: Mrs S Leech J: Sean Houlihan

Dalaman⁷⁶

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: N P Mulholland J: N D Fehily

Forecasts

Triple Chief (4/1), Little Miss Poet (5/1), Vado Forte (6/1), Balibour (6/1), Dalaman (6/1), Delface (7/1), Caviar D'Allen (8/1), Man Of Plenty (10/1), First Mohican (11/1), Martabot (12/1), Dovils Date (16/1), Lord Ballim (20/1), Box Office (20/1), Baratineur (28/1), Flo'sboy Sam (33/1), North West Wind (40/1), Excellent Team (50/1)

A typically open handicap hurdle but there is every chance that LITTLE MISS POET can build on a very promising effort at Ascot last time out. There are plenty of others you can make a case for, including the progressive Dalaman , Lord Ballim, and Vado Forte, whose yard in fine form at present. Man Of Plenty ran a blinder at Sandown on Saturday and if he does take his chance could be a danger as well.