13:15 Taunton

Sunday 30 December 2018

All12:4513:1513:5014:2014:5515:2515:55

Daren Marshall 50th Birthday Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 4m 45.8s

Shiroccan Roll²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 122

6/1

Made a winning start to life over hurdles after a couple of promising bumper runs to score at Newton Abbot. Produced a couple of solid efforts in defeat after that until his jumping let him down on his handicap debut; vulnerable under a penalty.

Form: 5-31220

Zanza²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White

5/1

Produced a 12L win on his hurdling debut building on the promise that he showed in his sole bumper. The penalty for his Chepstow win proved to be his undoing in a better race at Sandown (too keen) and this is more his level to bounce back in.

Form: 618

Birds Of Prey^t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| BF

4/5

Very useful Flat performer (4th November Handicap) and showed that he was capable of winning over hurdles with a 2nd on debut over slightly shorter here. On reflection he should have won that race (given too much to do); leading player in this.

Form: 2

Champagne Well²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

4/1

Point-to-point winner (3rd start) prior to be bought for €40,000 who has had just two runs in bumpers putting his experience to good use when winning last time. Now makes his hurdling debut having shown that he needs a fair test.

Form: 371-51

It's Fine Wine⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: D Killahena & G McPherson

11/1

Looked to have some ability based on his only start in a bumper but has so far failed to really suggest that he's more than modest over hurdles. Showed a little more last time but no more than a place chance against some better types here.

Form: 40-4

Legend Of Zorro^t³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: J D Frost

50/1

Had a rather chequered point-to-point career (failed to complete three times) before winning at the 5th attempt. Showed a little more on his latest hurdles run (first-time tongue-tie) when runner-up although the form looks very weak in essence.

Form: FP-P1P2

Manofthemountain¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden

66/1

Had some wind surgery prior to his Rules debut in a Uttoxeter bumper finishing well held. He's a half-brother to the yard's staying chaser Fact Of The Matter and stoutly bred; won't see the best of him yet therefore in tests like this.

Form: 3-7

Passing Oceans¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland

66/1

Just the two hurdles runs to his name shaping much better than on his debut recently at Bangor (finished 4th) despite never really being on terms. Looks as though he's being brought along steadily and needs this run for a mark; handicaps the aim.

Form: 504

Winter Soldier⁶²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁷⁾| T: R Mitford-Slade

14/1

4-11 in point-to-points and has won under Rules in a bumper for a previous yard so clearly has ability. Not seen under Rules since that bumper win and last run anywhere in April 2017; may need this but yard have been known to spring the odd shock.

Form: 132315/

Cushuish¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: R H Buckler

50/1

Modest enough form in her bumpers and novice hurdle runs so far with both of the runs in the latter sphere coming here over shorter. Looks as though she needs a good test of stamina but makes little appeal this side of handicaps.

Form: 99-0446

My Lady Grey²³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard

28/1

Gradually improved in bumpers bit hasn't really been given a ideal test yet (looks as though she needs 2m4f+) and now makes her hurdles debut stepped up in trip. From a top-class yard and the betting may provide a clue as to her chances.

Form: 643-4

Regal Flute

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: James Best| T: R G Hawker

100/1

Six-year-old mare who makes her hurdling debut. Dam was in the frame both starts in bumpers but she makes little appeal on paper and can only be watched on this occasion.

Form:

Non-Runners

Romeo Brown²¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 4

T: Mrs J Williams J: Non Runner

Westerner Ocean⁶⁰⁸

Weight: 10-5| Age: 6

T: Alexandra Dunn J: R P McLernon

Forecasts

Birds Of Prey (4/5), Champagne Well (4/1), Romeo Brown (4/1), Zanza (5/1), Shiroccan Roll (6/1), It's Fine Wine (11/1), Winter Soldier (14/1), My Lady Grey (28/1), Legend Of Zorro (50/1), Cushuish (50/1), Westerner Ocean (50/1), Manofthemountain (66/1), Passing Oceans (66/1), Regal Flute (100/1)

Quite a decent event of its type with three previous winners in the field all of whom have to carry a penalty here and that may make life tough against a classy performer like BIRDS OF PREY. His Flat form would be way above anything the others could achieve and the experience of his hurdles debut won’t be lost on him at a track where his trainer has a 32% strike-rate with his hurdlers (past five years). Romeo Brown of the penalised runners looks the most dangerous along with Zanza while Champagne Well will enjoy this increased test on his hurdling debut. Winter Soldier and My Lady Grey are two to watch in the market for a positive move.