14:20 Taunton

Monday 26 March 2018

All14:2014:5015:2515:5516:3017:00

Clarke Wilmott Taunton Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 4m 57.15s

Amzac Magic⁴⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber

12/1

Son of Milan who cost €16,000 as a three-year-old and is a brother to a winning bumper horse. Winner and runner-up in two point-to-points so clearly has talent and is worth a check in the betting.

Form: 12-

Bit Of A Charlie⁷²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: R Walford

100/1

Tailed off in a bumper and novice hurdle when trained by John Ryall. Starts out for a new trainer and has to defy an absence of almost two years so a watching brief is advised.

Form: 00/

Cereal Killer⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls

12/1

Dual point-to-point winner who has been disappointing since joining his current stable, finishing well down the field in a bumper and two maiden/novice hurdles. Clearly needs to up his game. Stable won this race last year.

Form: 1-1767

Golden Whisky⁴⁹

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

9/1

Form of his most recent run at Southwell has been boosted by the subsequent exploits of the winner. Seems to be improving and can make his presence felt.

Form: 564

Indigo Stamp³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Mark Gillard

250/1

Showed very little in two bumpers, starting at big prices both times, and had wind surgery before two moderate efforts over hurdles. Plenty to prove for the time being.

Form: 08P6

Le Musee^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: N J Hawke| OR: 115| BF

5/1

French import who has finished runner-up on both starts over timber. Slightly disappointing when a short-priced favourite last time, but the winner of that contest might turn out to be useful.

Form: 22

Mount Rushmoore³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 127

4/6

Point-to-point winner who has run two promising races over hurdles to be a close second at Exeter and Chepstow. A leading contender with improvement on the cards.

Form: 1322

Vodka All The Way⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

9/1

Showed signs of ability in bumpers, but two efforts over hurdles have not been as encouraging. Takes a drop in trip and may do better.

Form: 573-68

Tequila Secret³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke

66/1

Returning from a break when finishing well down the field over C&D last month. Should strip fitter, but needs to find plenty to trouble the best of these rivals. Stable looks to have better chance with Le Musee.

Form: 493P7

The Imitation Game¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: M G Nolan| T: Mrs S Gardner

100/1

Hints of ability in bumpers, but was a disappointing last of 11 on hurdling debut at this track. Hard to fancy following that poor display.

Form: 00-470

Youngoconnor¹⁴

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

50/1

Promise in point-to-points and shaped as though in need of a greater stamina test over 2½f shorter than this on her hurdling debut at this track. Open to improvement.

Form: P325

Pacofilha⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Benjamin Poste| T: J L Flint

150/1

Fair maiden on the Flat for Paul Cole, but well beaten on all three starts over hurdles. Receives weight from all her rivals, but needs to show significant improvement.

Form: 650

Forecasts

Mount Rushmoore (4/6), Le Musee (5/1), Vodka All The Way (9/1), Golden Whisky (9/1), Cereal Killer (12/1), Amzac Magic (12/1), Youngoconnor (50/1), Tequila Secret (66/1), Bit Of A Charlie (100/1), The Imitation Game (100/1), Pacofilha (150/1), Indigo Stamp (250/1)

Amzac Magic showed ability in point-to-points and is interesting on his hurdling debut, but the vote goes to MOUNT RUSMOORE, who has shaped well on both starts over hurdles and can get off the mark at the third time of asking. Le Musee can give him most to do, while Youngoconnor looks to be the best of the mares.