12:25 Wincanton

Thursday 6 December 2018

All12:2513:0013:3014:0514:3515:1015:40

ROA/Racing Post Owners' Jackpot 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:25 | Winning time: 5m 21.3s

Myplaceatmidnight¹⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 121

9/2

Bumper winner at Market Rasen (good) in spring last year and placed in both hurdle starts to date. A 7L second and 35L third at Warwick most recently. Handicap looks high enough on evidence so far and jockey booking indicates trainer may agree.

Form: 1/43-23

Rhythm Is A Dancer^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 118| CD

6/1

Exeter bumper winner was turned over at odds of 1/8 here on hurdles debut but landed the spoils as a similarly long odds on favourite over C&D next. Softer ground likely here and this a more realistic test but merits respect for top yard.

Form: 24-121

Stylish Moment²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 114| BF

9/2

After three thirds in as many starts over hurdles including once here (2m4f) he was made favourite when switched to a handicap at Hereford last time but was a well beaten fifth. Gets 3lb back now and likely better to come here.

Form: 3633-35

Gulshanigans^t⁵⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber| OR: 114

11/2

Four time placed hurdler last term including a C&D third on penultimate start. Disappointed at Ayr subsequently but starts out for new yard with a now quite attractive handicap mark so realistic chance if fully wound up on return.

Form: 452239/

Aptly Put^t1²⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: R Spencer| OR: 112

13/2

Point-to-point winner last April and best of three efforts under Rules came at Fakenham when a well beaten third of five. Couldn't build on that next at Fontwell and will have to step up on handicap/season debut.

Form: 31/2635-

The Brothers³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 108| BF

7/2

Only once placed in eight starts over hurdles although that came here in a 2m handicap. Lost way afterwards but hinted at a revival latest when fourth at Chepstow and suspect he will soon be contending contests such as this off present mark.

Form: 5374-04

The Mighty Ash^b¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr M Legg⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs F M Shaw| OR: 107

20/1

Three-times placed hurdler including last two starts last term was tailed off on return at Chepstow. May have needed that run but if returning to form of late last term he would have genuine claims here.

Form: 6/0532-0

Midnight Midge^h²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: R J Hodges| OR: 106

12/1

Remote C&D third of four in penultimate start an improved effort and fair run latest at Exeter when fourth of 12 in first handicap. Not ruled out on that evidence but appeals more as a place prospect overall.

Form: 7869-34

Non-Runners

Chloe's Court¹⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: R Walford J: Matt Griffiths

Forecasts

The Brothers (7/2), Myplaceatmidnight (9/2), Stylish Moment (9/2), Gulshanigans (11/2), Rhythm Is A Dancer (6/1), Aptly Put (13/2), Midnight Midge (12/1), Chloe's Court (16/1), The Mighty Ash (20/1)

RHYTHM IS A DANCER probably didn't beat much here latest but he landed the C&D event quite comfortably and he looks the one to beat for Paul Nicholls who boasts an impressive 33 per-cent strike rate here over the last five seasons. Stylish Moment was a little disappointing at Hereford but can't be ruled out just yet after showing promise previously. The Brothers is another on the shortlist after a slightly improved effort last time.