14:10 Wincanton

Thursday 7 March 2019

All13:4014:1014:4015:1515:4516:2016:5517:30

All Sport Insurance Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 5m 31.7s

Myplaceatmidnight¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 131| CD

3/1

Made a very promising start since switching to handicaps with a C&D win followed by latest good third over same conditions despite 10lb rise. Upped another 1lb and likely softer conditions here but seemed to handle them in past (limited evidence).

Form: 3-23413

Stowaway Magic^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: William Marshall⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| D

40/1

Won over fences this season (three-runner contest) but less effective last twice switched back to hurdles. Latest effort at Chepstow suggested he is poorly handicapped at present.

Form: 0-21509

Silver Kayf^p1⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 130| D

7/1

Dual novice scorer last term can largely be forgiven two moderate efforts this season as the first came over fences and the second he didn't seem to stay 3m. Conditions now considerably more in his favour and merits genuine respect.

Form: 1310-57

Champagne Champ¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: L P Aspell| T: B R Millman| OR: 129

11/2

Chepstow maiden success last season the highlight of his four hurdle races to date. Unable to win on the flat since but decent return to hurdles latest when sixth in a decent Kempton Saturday handicap. Improve on that finishing position here.

Form: 312-6

Kings Ryde⁴⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 127

13/2

Wide margin winner of a bumper, but turned over in a moderate race on his hurdling debut. The ground and tactics were wrong last time so no surprise to see him waiting to put matters right. This is his sternest test, but connections merit respect.

Form: 3123-

Clondaw Anchor^h,t1⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 127WS

9/1

Carlisle novice winner has remained competitive since despite penalty for that success. Too keen latest when fading into fourth so headgear added in attempt to settle him. Opening handicap mark within range given considerable ability.

Form: 2-2134

Peak To Peak¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 126| BF| D

9/2

Lightly-raced sort, third in the valuable Silver Trophy back in October 2017. Had issues since then and was pulled up some way out here on reappearance. Now likely leave that behind with fitness sure to be boosted and far from dismissed given yard.

Form: 3511/3-P

Mr Clarkson^b1,t1³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 124

20/1

Three-time winner last season including handicap off 6lb higher mark than this. Complete no show in two starts this term but gets a whole range of headgear now. Too young to be in decline so interesting to see what influence the changes make.

Form: 1217/PP

Rebel Royal¹³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 123

16/1

Won a Kempton novice hurdle last season for Dan Skelton but found life tougher afterwards. Last of 13 at Worcester in opening handicap makes him hard to fancy in first start for this yard.

Form: 771-220

Evidence De Thaix⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: B J Geraghty| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 120

11/1

Heavy ground Exeter winner in December was rather disappointing in handicap debut next at Chepstow when pulled up. Sure she is better than that and possibilities of genuinely testing ground here certainly boost confidence.

Form: 211-21P

Dancingwith Storms^h⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: W Greatrex| OR: 119

50/1

Maiden hurdle winner for Miss Ellmarie Holden struggled in two starts for this yard so far in novice company under penalty for that success. Sure he has more to give and handicapper gives him a chance to do better now.

Form: 47-147

Judge Earle¹²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 118

40/1

Enjoyed a good spell as a rare runner over jumps for his former yard - possibly aided by a wind operation last spring. Not so effective on debut for his incumbent trainer and been withdrawn three times since.

Form: 133220

Vards^h²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber| OR: 118

12/1

Dual point-to-point winner ran with some credit in three novice hurdles, the most recent a fair fifth to useful sort Acey Milan at Plumpton. Handicapper not been harsh by any means so could fare better here.

Form: 121/295

Non-Runners

Here's Herbie⁷

Weight: 10-12| Age: 11

T: Mrs S Gardner J: Lucy Gardner

Forecasts

Myplaceatmidnight (3/1), Peak To Peak (9/2), Champagne Champ (11/2), Kings Ryde (13/2), Silver Kayf (7/1), Clondaw Anchor (9/1), Evidence De Thaix (11/1), Vards (12/1), Here's Herbie (14/1), Rebel Royal (16/1), Mr Clarkson (20/1), Stowaway Magic (40/1), Judge Earle (40/1), Dancingwith Storms (50/1)

A really tricky contest this and everything points to needing something quite well handicapped so a chance is taken on PEAK TO PEAK despite his struggles first time back after a lengthy absence. He is only 1lb higher than his Silver Trophy third now and if all ability remains he will take plenty of beating for championship leader Paul Nicholls. Nicholls' rival Nicky Henderson also saddles an interesting unexposed sort in Kings Ryde who could very easily be much better than what we've seen from him so far. The form of Myplaceatmidnight means he has to be respected.