13:35 Taunton

Thursday 13 December 2018

All12:3513:0513:3514:1014:4515:1515:50

bluQube Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:38 | Winning time: 4m 13.14s

Mead Vale²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Buckley⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 110| CD

7/2

A game winner over C&D last month, the gelding gets good marks for consistency and a progressive profile. A 6lb higher mark makes life tougher but this is a weak race and he has to be high on the list with a 10lb claimer in the plate.

Form: 03-251

Gwalia³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: James Bowen| T: Evan Williams| OR: 109

5/1

Runner up in three bumpers and has taken well to hurdles with a couple of solid runs. Going the right way and worth a betting check. (Handicap debutante.)

Form: 222-34

Ataguiseamix¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Bannister| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 109

20/1

Didn't show much when with Paul Nicholls but shaped with a degree of promise since being sent over hurdles. More required here. (A bold show from Southfield Stone in the first race can boost his form claims though.)

Form: 2/PP-35

Ruaraidh Hugh^b²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: R Chapman| OR: 108

50/1

Likes Worcester but has struggled to make an impact when racing elsewhere. Pulled up on debut for his new yard last time out and has a bit to prove now. Drop in trip not ideal either.

Form: 11F52P

Cotton Club³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N R Mitchell| OR: 107| D

33/1

Has been placed in low-grade races over hurdles but lacks consistency and isn't too difficult to oppose on recent form.

Form: 322544

Knight Commander²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: S Flook| OR: 107| D

14/1

Posted a handful of solid efforts in this sphere and worth considering on the pick of his form. Still 5lb above his last winning mark though. Needs to be at his best.

Form: 345727

Pokari⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Bridget Andrews| T: A E Jones| OR: 106

22/1

Not stood much racing since winning a bumper at Newton Abbot two years ago. Faded a stiff test when chasing home an easy winner last time. Nothing of that calibre here but still needs to up his ante.

Form: 021/6-62

Passing Dream^h1²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 104| D

15/2

Promise in his last two starts and interesting tactic with the hood employed today. On a fair mark and worth considering.

Form: 7-1UF42

Hazamar^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 102| D

16/1

Bounced back from a couple of poor efforts with a solid run over C&D last month. Needs to prove that wasn't a one-off performance and his lack of consistency has to temper the confidence.

Form: 6F-F706

Delface^p¹⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 101| DWS

11/2

Been placed over C&D before and has conditions to suit. Another who needs to run to his best. The betting can guide as to expectations on his first start since having a wind operation.

Form: 5273-66

Cool Macavity^p¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Miss H Welch⁽⁷⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 100| D

33/1

Six wins over hurdles to his name but the losing sequence is beginning to mount up. Difficult to ascertain whether he's well handicapped or simply on the downgrade.

Form: P23P60

Vanderbilt⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 100

33/1

Been placed both over hurdles and on the Flat this calendar year and has been given a chance by the assessor. The rider's claim helps at the weights too. Needs everything to go his way to win at the 29th time of asking.

Form: 4P-3378

Maraakib¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: M G Nolan| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 95

20/1

Still a maiden over hurdles and was well held over C&D last time out. Possible the gelding will be fitter for the run but he still has a lot to find.

Form: 4759

Tour de Paris²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 10-9| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 107

8/1

Average on the Flat but has shown ability in two starts over hurdles. On a very workable mark for his handicap debut -can play a strong role in a modest race of taking another step forward.

Form: 44

Silver Quay¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Bryony Frost| T: J D Frost| OR: 88

9/1

Drops back in trip after a solid run here last time out. Does have form to reverse with Mead Vale but is 11lb better off at the weights. Consistency not his strong point though.

Form: P65054

Truckers Tangle⁴⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: R P McLernon| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 87

25/1

Out of form when last seen in action and plenty to prove on his return from a long absence.

Form: 46550P-

Forecasts

Mead Vale (7/2), Gwalia (5/1), Delface (11/2), Passing Dream (15/2), Tour de Paris (8/1), Silver Quay (9/1), Knight Commander (14/1), Hazamar (16/1), Ataguiseamix (20/1), Maraakib (20/1), Pokari (22/1), Truckers Tangle (25/1), Cool Macavity (33/1), Cotton Club (33/1), Vanderbilt (33/1), Ruaraidh Hugh (50/1)

There was a lot to like about the manner in which MEAD VALE went about the task over C&D last time out and, as this doesn't look much tougher, the gelding looks a safe option in modest contest. Gwalia and Passing Dream are a couple of others who don't have too much to find, while Silver Quay has a reasonable chance of making the frame if they all stand their ground.