13:45 Taunton

Thursday 28 November 2019

All12:3513:1013:4514:1514:5015:2015:50

Taunton Racecourse Owners Club Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:46 | Winning time: 6m 11.9s

Vamanos^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 115

6/1

Improved effort in finishing second to decisive winner at Kelso (2m7f, heavy; 11-2) recently in first-time cheekpieces. Mark unchanged and chances here, especially if jumping fluently.

Form: 7/4334-2

Deputy Jones^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 112| D

20/1

Point-to-point winner back in 2017; has had his absences since but should be sharper for comeback run at Plumpton (2m, heavy; 10-1) this month and this trip much more his thing.

Form: 1/3-335

Primal Focus³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 111

20/1

Gained second career win over fences when landing 2m3f good-ground handicap at Exeter last month from 6lb lower mark. Had been out of form previous to that and not one to bank on turning up in similar mood now.

Form: 1-90471

Easyrun De Vassy³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 109| D

7/4

Looked in need of the run at Exeter (2m1f, good; 6-1) in a maiden hurdle this month after 318-day absence and a wind operation; dual point-to-point winner should be well suited to this stamina test now.

Form: P/1155-6

Caspers Court²⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Bryony Frost| T: K Woollacott| OR: 106| D

15/2

Modest form in three hurdles starts early in the year but former point-to-point winner could have a bit more to offer returning over this longer trip.

Form: P/16037-

Three Bullet Gate^h1¹⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 106WS

16/1

Wasn't unfancied at 9-2 in a Southwell handicap over 3m in May when last spotted but didn't appear to get home. Hooded on return to action with mark left along. More needed.

Form: 28644-P

Gang Warfare^p,t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: M G Nolan| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 103

16/1

Six-time winner on the Flat with a peak rating of 104 (back in 2016). Didn't shape without promise on return to hurdling at Wincanton (2m5½f, good) last month but stamina to be proven over this new trip.

Form: 6054/3-7

Theatre Mix²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: James Best| T: Miss J Du Plessis| OR: 102

20/1

Back from a break and upped to this trip for handicap debut at Chepstow early in the month, weakening late on after moving forward to challenge at odds of 50-1. Not one to write off just yet.

Form: 6/764-59

Ekayburg¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 102

25/1

Group 2 winner on the level in France in 2017 but mixed bag of efforts on Flat and over hurdles since joining this yard. Upped significantly in trip now and betting check probably wise.

Form: 43P-809

Mister Murchan²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: L P Aspell| T: R Rowe| OR: 98| D

9/2

Upped his game when beaten only 6L on handicap debut at Fontwell (2m3f, soft; 66-1) this month. Irish point-to-point winner should be capable of building on that with extra yardage favourable.

Form: P15-244

Cushuish²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: R H Buckler| OR: 96

17/2

Posted one of her best efforts on seasonal debut over C&D 29 days ago, beaten 2¾L into second. Had been pulled up here on final run last season. Stronger grade now and has gone up 2lb in defeat.

Form: U483P-2

Forecasts

Easyrun De Vassy (7/4), Mister Murchan (9/2), Vamanos (6/1), Caspers Court (15/2), Cushuish (17/2), Three Bullet Gate (16/1), Gang Warfare (16/1), Deputy Jones (20/1), Theatre Mix (20/1), Primal Focus (20/1), Ekayburg (25/1)

Cushuish was a bridesmaid over C&D on seasonal bow and is respected despite being rated 2lb higher in a stronger race now. Deputy Jones may find this trip more to his liking with a run behind, while Theatre Mix and Caspers Court are possible improvers. This trip could bring improvement from Easyrun De Vassy on handicap debut but top-weight VAMANOS did little wrong at Kelso last time in a novices' hurdle and could be up to opening his account with the champion jockey taking over back in a handicap and better ground no concern.