14:20 Taunton

Tuesday 19 March 2019

All14:2014:5015:2516:0016:3017:05

Farmers Arms Combe Florey RNLI Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 4m 57.25s

Birds Of Prey^t⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124

8/13

Consistent over hurdles so far but also been a tad frustrating. Got the trip well latest and conditions should suit. The betting can guide as to any confidence behind giving the gelding another chance.

Form: 222

Flinck⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White

15/2

A modest effort in a point-to-point and a similar level posted on his rules debut at Exeter in December are his only credentials so far. Needs to improve for the drop in trip.

Form: 5-5

Glengar²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland

100/1

Second in an Irish point-to-point before posting two ordinary efforts over hurdles. Improvement required.

Form: P-F286

Joey Steel¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: L Treadwell| T: Christian Williams

200/1

Show little in any of his starts up to press and not too difficult to recommend looking elsewhere for the time being.

Form: 688

Kauto The King^t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 118

7/1

Only hinted at ability over hurdles so far and possible he needs a sterner test of stamina. Previous bumper form reads well but needs to up his game now.

Form: 43-4546

Little Red Lion⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe

50/1

Set things up for the rest here last time and was eventually well held. A more patient ride over this new might bring about some improvement but looks a risky option for win only purposes.

Form: 287

Monjeni³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Dave Crosse| T: Ian Williams

66/1

Won from a mark of 78 on the Flat for this yard in December but form not so good in two starts over hurdles since. Another with a bit to prove.

Form: 60

Mouseinthehouse⁹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

16/1

Has looked like he lacks a change of gear in both starts so far. Emerged unscathed from a fall on his debut but failed to trouble the main contenders last time. Still learning but more still required.

Form: U4

Super Snipe²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 118

4/1

Finished 5l behind subsequent Grade 2 winner Southfield Stone in December but well held twice since. The return to this C&D can help. Place claims if he can take a step forward.

Form: 68268

Taaffes Castle¹⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: Christian Williams

14/1

Bred for the jumping game and won his only start in a point-to-point well. Purchased for £22,000 after that win and joined a yard that is very on the up. One to bear in mind if the betting suggests he's ready for his rules debut.

Form: 1

Vanderbilt^h²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 93

100/1

A maiden under both codes; 0-10 over hurdles and has shown very little of interest in two starts since the turn of the year. Others readily preferred.

Form: 378040

Classy Afair^t1⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss C Dyson

200/1

Made no impact in either start to date and is another that looks to be of very modest ability.

Form: 0P

Forecasts

Birds Of Prey (8/13), Super Snipe (4/1), Kauto The King (7/1), Flinck (15/2), Taaffes Castle (14/1), Mouseinthehouse (16/1), Little Red Lion (50/1), Monjeni (66/1), Vanderbilt (100/1), Glengar (100/1), Joey Steel (200/1), Classy Afair (200/1)

BIRDS OF PREY has already run below expectations over hurdles so wouldn't be one for maximum faith. However, his form is the best on offer and he may be worth another throw of the dice in a very weak race. Taffes Castle is an unknown quantity over hurdles but won't need to out of the ordinary to at least make the frame. Super Snipe and Mouseinthehouse make the most appeal from the rest and they complete the shortlist.