19:40 Taunton

Wednesday 25 April 2018

All17:1517:4518:1518:4519:1019:4020:10

Simple Minds In Concert 2nd September Handicap Chase

Off time: 19:40 | Winning time: 5m 34.8s

Redmond^t⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber| OR: 98| D

5/1

Won a moderate race at Fontwell in February but extremely disappointing in a similar event at Leicester when last seen, finishing tailed off. Bit t prove after that, especially on the likely better ground, and others preferred.

Form: 4P3-213

Thoonavolla⁷⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: C Poste| T: T H Weston| OR: 98

16/1

On a good mark if he can recapture his best form, and the likely decent ground will suit him fine. Has won after a break before as well, so has plenty going for him and although into the veteran stage now, this does look a decent opportunity.

Form: P32-5P8

Bally Lagan^v⁶⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 96| C

16/1

Rattled off a hat-trick last year so knows how to win, likely conditions fine but well beaten at Leicester when last seen and it may be best to wait for signs of a return to form.

Form: P-62574

Tactical Manoeuvre^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: R P McLernon| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 90| BF| C

6/1

Jumping has improved and as a result, is running with a bit more consistency. Nothing wrong with this mark but was seen off pretty quickly at Plumpton last time and needs to improve for this better ground. Trip a question mark too.

Form: P-41323

Spock¹⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 11-4| J: Miss L Brooke⁽⁷⁾| T: Lady S Brooke| OR: 90| D

28/1

Likes to bowl along in front and this ground will suit, but often makes a mistake or two along the way and this old boy seems out of form at present, Hard to fancy.

Form: 153444

Bennachie^p,t¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 88

2/1

Winner at Plumpton after a break last time out, on the same mark here so every chance of the follow up if in the same mood but will face likely quicker ground here. If handling it (and has won on good in the past) then every chance of the follow up.

Form: 0U2321

Accessallareas^p¹⁸¹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁷⁾| T: S-J Davies| OR: 84| C

33/1

Picks the odd race up but this trip probably in excess of his best and is usually beatable at this level. Likely to need the run after a break too.

Form: 73167U

Micquus¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 75| BF

3/1

Well backed to score on first run for new yard at Plumpton last time but again disappointed and the bottom line is that he isn't one to trust. Others preferred.

Form: 3P/424-4

Grey Messenger^p1,t¹⁰⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: J E Moore| T: Mrs E Bishop| OR: 69

14/1

Connections go for cheekpieces after a couple of non-completions but he's still a maiden after 19 starts and looks an unlikely winner regardless.

Form: P894U-U

My Diamond^p⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: Mrs L J Young| OR: 68

25/1

Third over hurdles here in February offers some hope but other that that it's a series of mainly poor efforts and he was well beaten over fences last time out.

Form: 7FP-P3P

Forecasts

Bennachie (2/1), Micquus (3/1), Redmond (5/1), Tactical Manoeuvre (6/1), Grey Messenger (14/1), Bally Lagan (16/1), Thoonavolla (16/1), My Diamond (25/1), Spock (28/1), Accessallareas (33/1)

Spock and Redmond are likely to make this a decent test but neither makes that much appeal for the win. Bennachie is the in-form one, having won at Plumpton last time out with a bit in hand and on the same mark here, can repeat the dose. Thoonavolla isn't getting any younger but is still capable of popping up at some point and has his ideal conditions here. He can prove the main danger. Micquus is proving disappointing but may be best of the rest.