15:00 Taunton

Tuesday 7 January 2020

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

Albert Goodman Supports Love Musgrove Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 4m 46.40s

Speredek^h1,t¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 137| C

12/1

Finished second in a Grade One contest over fences, however, his recent form has been well below his best so he returns to hurdles now. He was pulled up last time at Kempton in a 3m handicap chase. Wears a hood for the first time. Best to watch.

Form: 4F6-67P

Colonel Custard^p1¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 132

7/2

Came close to recording his third win over hurdles on his penultimate start as he was second of eight at Fontwell (2m1½f). Finished fifth of 16 last time at Kempton (2m5f). Is down 2lb. Cheekpieces are on for the first time. Not one to ignore.

Form: 219-325

Kuiper Belt¹⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 132

100/1

Has shown very little since he scored over hurdles at Clonmel (2m4f) in October 2018. Was eighth of 10 over fences at Navan (2m4f) on his last outing. Returns to hurdles on his first run for his new yard. Others appeal more.

Form: 6952-78

Diamond Gait^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 130

9/1

Was successful twice over hurdles last season as a novice. She came really close to success last time at Huntingdon (2m) as she finished third of 11, beaten by just ½L. Has gone up 4lb for that near miss. Remains a strong contender.

Form: 1410-53

Flashing Glance^t1³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 130

8/1

Scored on his penultimate outing at Kempton (2m) in a seven runner field. Was unable to follow that up at Wincanton (1m7½f) where he was fifth of 15. Is off a 2lb higher mark now. Tongue-tie is on for the first time. Has each-way claims.

Form: 5-F4915

Prudhomme⁵⁸

5/1

Lightly-raced gelding. He scored on his debut over hurdles at Wincanton (2m). Finished fourth of nine at Ffos Las (2m) on his latest outing as a 2/7 favourite. Has had a wind-op since. One to think about on his return.

Form: U21-14

Storm Home^t¹⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 123| CWS

16/1

His last success was back in March 2018 when he scored at Wincanton (1m7½f). Was disappointing at Newton Abbot (2m½f) on his latest start as he was pulled up. Has had a wind-op since which should help. One for the shortlist.

Form: P50-24P

Liberty Bella²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: B Eckley| OR: 123

4/1

Finished second of 12 at Hereford (2m3½f) two starts ago where she went down by just 1½L. Came home sixth of 16 on her last outing at Cheltenham (2m4½f). Has been eased 3lb. Worth consideration.

Form: 154-526

River Bray^t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: C Gethings| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 122

16/1

Has struggled on all three of his starts this season. He was sixth of 15 on his latest attempt at Wincanton (1m7½f), finishing 21L off the winner. Is down 3lb in the weights, but others appeal more on recent form.

Form: 31-F6P6

Here's Herbie^t¹²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 118| CD

25/1

A C&D winner who made his seasonal reappearance at Fontwell (2m1½f) last month where he was pulled up before the third last hurdle. Needs to improve on his second run of the campaign. Others are preferred.

Form: 3413-6P

Earth Moor⁴⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 117| D

7/1

Has not appeared since winning on his sole start over hurdles at Exeter (2m2½f) where he justified going off as the 1/4 favourite. On for a hat-trick bid here as he also prevailed in a bumper at Fontwell (2m1½f) two runs ago. Big player if fit.

Form: 4/2211-

Forecasts

Colonel Custard (7/2), Liberty Bella (4/1), Prudhomme (5/1), Earth Moor (7/1), Flashing Glance (8/1), Diamond Gait (9/1), Speredek (12/1), River Bray (16/1), Storm Home (16/1), Here's Herbie (25/1), Kuiper Belt (100/1)

EARTH MOOR made a winning start over hurdles, albeit that success was back in October 2018. The gelding in for a hat-trick of wins here and he can complete that as he remains open to improvement. Diamond Gait was beaten by less than a length last time at Huntingdon and although she will need to carry 4lb more here, expect another big run, while Storm Home should be much better now he has had wind surgery so take him to fill the placings on his return to action.