17:05 Taunton

Monday 11 March 2019

All14:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0517:40

William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:06 | Winning time: 4m 11.60s

All Kings^p²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: James Best| T: R H Buckler| OR: 101

10/1

Still a maiden but does have some fair form to his name; was in line for a place in the frame until unseating at the last here in February. Can go close again here if he can avoid jumping mishaps.

Form: 45U34U

Patsio^p⁵²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Benjamin Poste| T: D Brace| OR: 98| D

33/1

Lost his way towards the end of his time in Ireland and didn't show much when he was pulled up on debut for his new yard last time. Probably best just watched again here.

Form: 06F03P

Chivers⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: N F Houlihan⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 96| BF

11/8

Still open to a little improvement over fences and has held his form well since winning at Fontwell on Boxing Day. Another step forward required but bold move of using a 10lb claimer allows the gelding a chance at the weights.

Form: P-42134

Shintori²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber| OR: 94

4/1

Won a handicap at Plumpton from an 11lb lower mark but has held his form reasonably well in two starts since. No respite from the assessor but has to be respected with trip and ground to suit once more.

Form: P-36143

Western Morning^t,v¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 92

12/1

Won a modest race at Leicester (2m4f, good) on his penultimate start but was readily brushed aside back over hurdles latest. Up 5lb here and has a bit to prove; the betting can guide as to whether the return to chasing is expected to suit.

Form: 5-P4510

Cappielow Park^t¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 91| D

12/1

Struggled from a long way out when pulled up behind Chivers at Fontwell last month in December and also faded close home when well held at Chepstow latest; stiff test ahead.

Form: 42/0-9P5

Royal Act^b1⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Jason Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: S-J Davies| OR: 88| CD

7/1

Both previous career successes came at this track, including winning last year's renewal of this race. Set to race from just a 4lb higher mark, the gelding arrives in reasonable form and may well be sharpened up by the first-time headgear.

Form: 1P-R455

Brother Bennett^p,t⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 76

14/1

Form has been regressive over the last year and the gelding now finds himself on a career lowest mark. Was the last of just three finishers latest and now has a good bit to prove.

Form: 520453

Live For Today^t,v⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: David Noonan| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 74

8/1

Won a point-to-point but still a maiden under rules. Form has been inconsistent of late and was well held on debut for a new yard last time out. Others looks to hold stronger claims.

Form: 0-P2035

Gilly Grace^p⁶⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 69

33/1

Still a maiden (0-16 over fences) and set to race from 3lb out of the weights. Difficult to make a strong case out for the mare.

Form: 40-5885

Forecasts

Chivers (11/8), Shintori (4/1), Royal Act (7/1), Live For Today (8/1), All Kings (10/1), Western Morning (12/1), Cappielow Park (12/1), Brother Bennett (14/1), Patsio (33/1), Gilly Grace (33/1)

CHIVERS looks the percentage call in a tricky handicap chase. The selection is still open to improvement and may well feel he's been let loose given that his rider is able to claim 10lb on this occasion. Last year's winner Royal Act is an obvious threat and merits scrutiny in the betting, while Shintori will like the ground and is likely to keep the pressure on right up to the line. All Kings needs to concentrate at his fences but can also be thereabouts if his jumping holds together.