15:10 Taunton

Thursday 12 December 2019

All12:3013:0013:3014:0514:3515:1015:40

Bluqube Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 4m 50.57s

Ashoka^p,t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 135

25/1

Dual winner earlier this year including by 4L in a small field 2m handicap chase at Aintree (good-to-soft) in June. Well beaten off this 5lb higher mark at Newbury (good-to-soft) on his only subsequent start however.

Form: 14/2-110

Dr Sanderson⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133

9/2

Successful three times over hurdles last year but was pulled up in a 2m5f novice event on chase debut at Ffos Las (soft) in October. Worth a check in the market on handicap debut for a top yard.

Form: 14115-P

Ballotin^p¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 133| D

20/1

Useful performer in France and won two hunter chases under his owner/rider last campaign. Unseated over an extended 2m4f at Kempton (good-to-soft) last month and is likely to have improved for the run.

Form: 0/41F-1U

Locker Room Talk^h²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Savage⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 127

5/1

Finished third on both starts over fences including when beaten 6¾L over an extended 1m7f at Wincanton (good) last time out. Interesting to see how he fares stepping up in distance.

Form: 10-1233

Pointed And Sharp^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 126| C| D

14/1

Completed a hat-trick when winning over 2m on good ground here at the end of October. Early casualty in a 2m2f contest at Kempton (good) last month and is one for the shortlist off a mark 9lb higher than for his latest success.

Form: P2111U

At Its Own Expense³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 125| C

4/1

Placed second, beaten 1L in a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Worcester (soft) in September. More needed than when finishing 23L fifth at Sandown (2m4f, soft) on chase debut last month.

Form: 3313-25

Katpoli^t⁹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 124

5/2

Improved on first start over fences when winning by 12L over an extended 1m7f at Southwell (soft) earlier this month. Carries a 7lb penalty for that victory and looks likely to play a leading role once more.

Form: 435P-51

Admiral's Secret²¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Alan Johns| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 124

16/1

Refused to race on two of his four starts (including at Ludlow in May when last in action) since winning at Wincanton (good-to-soft) in December last year. Probably best watched on return from a break.

Form: 21RF3-R

Bandsman^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Conor Shoemark| T: D Skelton| OR: 123

66/1

Good third in a handicap chase over an extended 3m at Carlisle (good-to-soft) in October but pulled up on heavy going at Bangor (3m) subsequently. Drop in trip no issue.

Form: 7-16P3P

Bramble Brook^b,t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 121| D

14/1

In good form during the summer and ran well when 3L second over 3m1f at Wincanton (good) in October on his penultimate start. Worth a check in the market following a 16L fifth at Wincanton (2m4f, good-to-soft) last time out.

Form: 322425

Spring Wolf²⁸²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 117| CD

14/1

Completed a double when winning over C&D on soft ground in a novices' handicap event in February. Pulled up at Exeter (3m, soft) the following month and market support would be notable on seasonal reappearance.

Form: 8P/611P-

Railroad Junkie^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 112| C

14/1

Course winner over 2m on good-to-soft ground in December last year and placed subsequently. Improving with racing this campaign and races off a mark 3lb higher than for that latest success.

Form: 232-747

Forecasts

Katpoli (5/2), At Its Own Expense (4/1), Dr Sanderson (9/2), Locker Room Talk (5/1), Pointed And Sharp (14/1), Bramble Brook (14/1), Spring Wolf (14/1), Railroad Junkie (14/1), Admiral's Secret (16/1), Ballotin (20/1), Ashoka (25/1), Bandsman (66/1)

KATPOLI impressed in winning last week and given he's due to go 10lb for that victory he remains an attractive proposition under a 7lb penalty. The selection represents a yard with a 28% strike-rate (5/18) in recent weeks and he can get the better of his rivals here with Pointed And Sharp capable of putting an unseat last time out behind him to take second place ahead of Dr Sanderson who can put a disappointing chase debut behind him to finish third.