15:50 Taunton
Thursday 28 November 2019
All12:3513:1013:4514:1514:5015:2015:50
Festive Fixture 12th December Handicap Hurdle
- 3YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 3f 1y | Good to Soft (Good in places) | 13 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 4m 56.40s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
16-race maiden, went close in 2018 over fences but a poor run at run at Worcester in June when last sighted and has changed yards since. Needs to raise game.
Early bumper/maiden hurdle form hinted at ability but rather going backwards since and yet to make a credible claims in handicaps. Eased 5lb and sports first-time cheekpieces now.
Modest maiden on the Flat, tailed off 66-1 chance on handicap hurdle introduction at Newton Abbot (2m2½f, good) in September and perhaps safest to treat with caution for now.
Looked in need of the run on seasonal return at Hereford (2m5½f, good; 7-1) recently but should be sharper for it and on a very fair mark if so.
Has been round the houses in terms of trainer and hasn't been able to add to two hurdles successes in 2017. Twice placed at Uttoxeter and Chepstow (2m, soft) recently and mark unchanged having joined latest handler since.
Mark had plummeted to 85 when scoring on seasonal reappearance at Huntingdon (2m3½f, good; 12-1) early last month; well held next time at Hereford however and needs to find more after short break since.
Broke duck at the 18th time of asking when scoring at Huntingdon (2m4½f, good; 9-4f) 16 days ago; has a 7lb ratings rise to deal with and must prove he can do it again.
Irish point-to-point winner in the spring of 2018, has yet to threaten in six-race career over hurdles but remains early days and worth a betting check with useful 7lb claimer on after blowing cobwebs away at Plumpton this month.
Tailed off in a maiden hurdle at Fontwell (2m3½f, soft; 66-1) last month on return from 203-day break; will have to improve generously going handicapping for the first time.
Profitable 2018 campaign after joining this yard, winning five times (four over fences); hasn't quite matched those efforts this year but last month's Hereford run over hurdles offered hope and not discounted having eased another 3lb since.
Mare finally off the mark in Wincanton novice handicap hurdle (2m5½f, good to firm; 8-1) last month though she was well-held in fourth over this C&D next time from 7lb higher mark and minus rider's claim. Has to do more.
Shock 80-1 winner of a Newton Abbot novices' handicap hurdle (2m2½f, good) in June whens sporting first-time tongue-tie. Lightly-raced nine-year-old has got to prove that can be backed up from 5lb higher on first start since.
10-race maiden over hurdles, was returning from a layoff when jumping poorly and eventually unseating rider at Wincanton last week and has work to do to get competitive.
Non-Runners
14
Akkapenko30
Weight: 10-13| Age: 5
T: Tim Vaughan J: Alan Johns
NR
Forecasts
Dan Gun (2/1), Clearly Capable (5/1), Overflow (5/1), Hahadi (7/1), Eric The Third (7/1), We'llcwhathappens (11/1), Akkapenko (14/1), Bentons Lad (20/1), Realta Dawn (20/1), Russian's Legacy (25/1), Glengar (25/1), Zoltan Varga (33/1), Black Noah (50/1), Lady Wethered (66/1)
Dan Gun finally got off the mark at Huntingdon this month and represents a stable in super form, ensuring he's on the shortlist despite a 7lb rise. It will be interesting to see how the market judges Russian's Legacy, an 80-1 scorer at Newton Abbot early in the summer that hasn't been spotted since. Eric The Third shaped with more purpose last time and is dropping in the ratings but AKKAPENKO was too keen at Chepstow in his hat-trick bid and, if conserving his energy better, could bounce back in his bid to make it three wins in four starts.
- Akkapenko
- Dan Gun
- Russian's Legacy
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £4,484.002nd: £1,317.003rd: £658.004th: £350.005th: £350.006th: £350.007th: £350.008th: £350.00
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