13:50 Taunton

Monday 30 December 2019

All12:4513:1513:5014:2514:5515:3016:00

Setsquare Recruitment Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:53 | Winning time: 5m 58.20s

Manofthemountain³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 120| BF

5/2

Hat-trick bid was foiled mid-race when he unseated his rider over C&D last time out. He had easily won his first two races over fences prior to that though, so looks capable of getting back on track. Jockeys claim offsets the burden of top-weight.

Form: 742-11U

Buster Moon²⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 120

22/1

Stable/jockey combo are both going through a quiet spell at present, and he hasn't been seen since being pulled-up at Newton Abbot (3m2f; good) on handicap debut back in April. Impossible to recommend in any capacity on chase/seasonal debut.

Form: 6F43/6P-

Sizing Cusimano¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 119| D

9/2

This race looks easier on paper than his most recent pair of assignments. Yard are enjoying a 24% strike-rate at present, and he should be able to figure prominently dropped slightly in grade.

Form: P1PP-36

Supakalanistic⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 112

25/1

Disappointing over fences in three runs this season, and that was emphasised when he was pulled-up at Ffos Las (2m7f; soft) when he was in the process of running a very poor race. Watching brief advised for the time being.

Form: P8-347P

Shaughnessy^p⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 112

7/2

Should strip fitter for seasonal reappearance run when third at Chepstow (2m7f; soft) on chase debut over this trip. Connections evidently keen to get him over fences (only had the three runs over hurdles last season). Interesting contender.

Form: 2/1343-3

Chimes Of Dylan⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 111

25/1

More experienced than some of his rivals over fences, but isn't in as good form as them. Was behind Shaughnesy (3rd) when last seen finishing sixth at Chepstow (2m7f; soft) last month. Looks vulnerable to improvers as well.

Form: 915F36

Elite Garde²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: P R Webber| OR: 110| D

4/1

Followed-up impressive chase debut success at Huntingdon (2m4f; good) to win at Leicester (2m6f; good to soft) when stepped up in trip. Up 6lb but looks a different proposition over fences and has the services of the champion jockey on board too.

Form: 0794-11

Putdecashonthedash^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 100

8/1

Lightly raced and wasn't beaten very far at all when fifth over this C&D last time out. Likely to be winning soon enough. However, this looks another competitive affair, and so this maiden has place claims at best.

Form: PP03-75

Du Destin^p³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 94

12/1

Improved from seasonal reappearance when taking a step back in the right direction (despite being well-beaten) when third at Southwell (3m; soft) last month. Now makes chase debut, but comes up against some experience in-form rivals.

Form: 7/2-P803

Gibb Hill²¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: R H Buckler| OR: 92WS

40/1

0-8 under rules, and is now sent chasing as he returns to the track on his seasonal reappearance. Difficult to be enthusiastic about him, and his profile would suggest he has a preference for faster ground. Yard in good form though.

Form: 79U96-5

Forecasts

Manofthemountain (5/2), Shaughnessy (7/2), Elite Garde (4/1), Sizing Cusimano (9/2), Putdecashonthedash (8/1), Du Destin (12/1), Buster Moon (22/1), Supakalanistic (25/1), Chimes Of Dylan (25/1), Gibb Hill (40/1)

A wide-open race with the in-form Manofthemountain and Elite Garde considered. The former was attempting to land a hat-trick when coming to grief over C&D recently, though he had won his previous two chases with ease before that. The latter has gone up again in the handicap after taking his record over fences to 2-2, but he needs taken seriously. Better should be expected from Shaughnessy who was a remote third on his chase debut. He should improve plenty and play a leading role here. However, a chance is taken on SIZING CUSIMANO who has his sights lowered after contesting decent races recently. He can make it third time lucky over fences for his in-form yard.