14:05 Taunton

Thursday 29 November 2018

All12:2513:0013:3514:0514:4015:1015:45

Taunton Racecourse Owners Club Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 6m 19.01s

Militarian²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: J Martin⁽⁷⁾| T: Andrew Martin| OR: 121| BF

15/8

Useful chaser that tries hard and tends to run his race more often than not, good second to an improver at Hexham latest, nudged up another 3lb for that but conditions should be fine and he handles a right-handed track. Should be thereabouts again.

Form: 2P2-342

My Charity²²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 120

13/2

Has shown some useful form in novice hurdles good second to a much higher rated rival when last seen out in April. Goes chasing on a workable mark and trip/ground should be fine. Chances if putting in an error-free round.

Form: 523882-

Call Me Sid^p1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Garner| T: J Mason| OR: 120

16/1

100-1 win at Ludlow in January came right out of the blue and form after that wasn't as good (although not disgraced). However, never looked happy over fences at Sandown last time out and on that, best watched. Cheekpieces tried today.

Form: 6/8147-P

Billy Merriott²²¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: Miss A B O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 118| BF

4/1

Useful in the hunter chasing sphere, only just denied by the classy Vivaldi Collonges at Newbury in March and then another solid effort at Stratford. Well into the veteran stage but lightly raced for one his age and can't be discounted.

Form: UBU1/22-

Forgot To Ask²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 118

5/1

Finally came good at Market Rasen in May (hurdles) but had little in hand and looked beaten when falling back at that venue on chase debut three weeks ago. Plenty to prove at present and others make more appeal.

Form: 544-31F

Lex Talionis^p,t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Adam Wedge| T: C J Mann| OR: 115

16/1

Winner over hurdles at Wincanton in April but two subsequent efforts not so good, although may have needed recent outing to blow the cobwebs away. Not really bred for chasing so there are question marks, and others are preferred.

Form: 3241-66

Seaston Spirit¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 112

9/1

Bred for chasing but took a heavy fall at Kempton three weeks ago when still in with every chance. Heavy ground winner over hurdles in January so any rain a plus, needs a clear round here but chances if doing so.

Form: 142-B0F

Samson^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: James Best| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 102

8/1

Has plenty of chase experience already and his second at Hereford last time reads well enough, but tends to ply his trade at a lower level and might find this company a bit too hot to handle.

Form: F32042

Forecasts

Militarian (15/8), Billy Merriott (4/1), Forgot To Ask (5/1), My Charity (13/2), Samson (8/1), Seaston Spirit (9/1), Lex Talionis (16/1), Call Me Sid (16/1)

Not a lot of pace on here with Call Me Sid likely to get an easy lead. That would make him a danger if he can find some rhythm but he didn't jump with much fluency last time and may be best watched. Billy Merriott hasn't many miles on the clock for an old boy and should go close, but in the hope he puts a clear round in SEASTON SPIRIT is given the vote. He's bred for the game and was still in with every chance against two higher rated rival at Kempton last time. Militarian should run his race and take a prize home.