14:40 Taunton

Thursday 29 November 2018

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

Racegoers Club 50th Anniversary Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 12.3s

Court Royale¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 117| D

6/1

In good form, followed up Ludlow win with an even better effort when fourth to World Premier at Hereford last time, May not want much more rain to fall but one of the main contenders on form, with more improvement likely.

Form: 33F314

Darling Maltaix^h²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117

9/4

Had four starts over hurdles so far but cannot said to be progressing and looks weak in a finish, mainly down to how hard he is pulling in his races. Needs to settle better, with top trainer but makes only limited appeal.

Form: 3F92-34

Jacbequick^v¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 116| D

3/1

Was probably biting off a bit too much at Cheltenham last time but had looked useful when winning a little contest at Fakenham previously. Needs the ground to stay on the quick side but could bounce back, with track likely to suit.

Form: P54-410

Here's Herbie^t⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 115| C

8/1

Twice a winner here in the past but the years seem to be catching up with him a bit and this trip looks on the short side for him as well. Others make more appeal.

Form: 342-36U

High Command³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: L P Aspell| T: G & J Moore| OR: 112

14/1

Useful on the Flat (for Roger Varian) although hard to win with, in the frame both starts over hurdles so far and looks well enough handicapped today, but a worry this trip is a little on the short side. Others are preferred.

Form: 32

Picture Painter^b¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 112| D

33/1

Winner on the Flat (for Keith Dalgleish) in May, purchased by current connections soon after. Has shown only a modicum of ability over hurdles so far, and any rain that falls is probably against him. May have to wait for another day.

Form: 7/2410-9

Cool Macavity¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Miss H Welch⁽⁷⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 106| D

66/1

Useful hurdler at his best but a long time since he's shown any form of note and appears to be regressing quickly. Not hard to look elsewhere for the winner.

Form: 4-P23P6

Hazamar^t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 105| D

33/1

Just the one win in 23 starts under all codes and was last of 11 on comeback run at Hereford earlier in the month. Hard to make much of a case for i current frame of mind.

Form: 66F-F70

Maraakib⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: M G Nolan| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 99

40/1

Four wins in 52 starts and you have to go back to 2015 to find the last time he visited the winners enclosure. Has shown some aptitude for hurdling in his three starts and realistically handicapped, but needs a leap of faith given overall profile.

Form: 475

Bodes Well^p²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 10-8| J: Ben Hicks⁽¹⁰⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 112

8/1

Well backed to score at Fontwell in October and duly obliged, but other efforts leave plenty to be desired. Gets plenty of weight allowance as a 3yo but even so, looks a risky proposition now.

Form: 448163

Candyman Can^h²⁰³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: James Best| T: L Hurley| OR: 97

40/1

Have to go back to 2015 to find his last win, not seen much in the meantime but did display some ability in two starts earlier in the year. May need this after an absence, but there might be a weak race to be won with him down the line.

Form: 954/P4-7

Serveontime^p,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 89

8/1

Maiden after 18 starts but has some spits and spots of form at this track and didn;t shape too badly when seventh in a maiden hurdle here earlier in the month. May outrun likely big odds and booking of Bryony Frost a plus.

Form: 26-6867

Non-Runners

Soulsaver¹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 6

T: A J Honeyball J: Rex Dingle

Forecasts

Darling Maltaix (9/4), Jacbequick (3/1), Court Royale (6/1), Soulsaver (7/1), Serveontime (8/1), Bodes Well (8/1), Here's Herbie (8/1), High Command (14/1), Hazamar (33/1), Picture Painter (33/1), Candyman Can (40/1), Maraakib (40/1), Cool Macavity (66/1)

This looks wide open. Court Royale and Jacbequick both hold good chances on current form but neither might want a lot of rain, which could compromise their chances. Similar comments apply to Picture Painter and Darling Maltaix will hold a better chance if he settles, but that's not a guarantee. A small e/w bet on SERVEONTIME is the suggestion, as despite not having won a race to date, he has shown ability and handles the track. He may improve for Bryony Frost taking over the reins, too.