16:10 Taunton

Sunday 2 February 2020

All13:3514:0514:4015:1015:4016:1016:45

Cheltenham Preview Evening 6th March Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 10.00s

Bobmahley⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 99

20/1

Decent effort in finishing 31L tenth in a competitive maiden hurdle over an extended 2m3f at Chepstow (good-to-soft) on debut in October. Well beaten twice subsequently however and market support would be notable on handicap debut.

Form: 070

Call Me Chris¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: William Marshall⁽⁸⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 97

28/1

failed to figure in four starts over hurdles to date most recently when 31L eighth over an extended 2m2f at Market Rasen (soft) last month. Represents a top yard and is worth a check in the market on first start in handicap company.

Form: 0408

Neetside¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Houlihan| T: T Dennis| OR: 97

9/2

Winner of two point-to-point races last year including by 8L at Wadebridge (3m, soft) in December. Performed well when a neck second in a big field C&D handicap hurdle on Rules return last month and holds strong claims off this 5lb higher mark.

Form: 621C-12

Tactical Manoeuvre¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 96| CD

15/8

In good form since joining this stable winning each of his last two starts including by a neck from Neetside over this C&D on heavy ground last month. Raised 6lb for that victory and is one for the shortlist in this event.

Form: 4P-4311

Spring Steel^t⁵⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 96| D

50/1

Out of form in five starts since winning over 2m in a handicap chase at Uttoxeter (good) last July on first appearance since wind surgery. Races off an 11lb lower mark here and has a promising conditional jockey in the saddle.

Form: 165P79

Pahaska^h⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Page Fuller| T: C J Down| OR: 96

11/1

Returning from a break when finishing 5L third in a handicap hurdle over 3m on good going here at the end of October. Given another break since and is an interesting contender dropping back in distance.

Form: 894-853

Astra Via⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁶⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 94

14/1

Placed three times from six starts over hurdles including when 14½L third over 2m at Uttoxeter (heavy) in November. Remains open to improvement and steps up in trip for a stable with a 22% strike-rate (8/36) in recent weeks.

Form: 0422-73

Russian Service^p,t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: R Patrick| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 93

20/1

Pulled up on two of his last three starts most recently in first time tongue tie and returning cheekpieces (both retained) in a 2m handicap chase at Chepstow (heavy) last month. Others make more appeal on return to hurdling.

Form: 4P3/P6P

Moynihans Girl⁶³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C J Todd⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L J Young| OR: 87

100/1

Finished a well beaten 33L eighth when making her handicap debut over an extended 1m7f at Wincanton (good) in May 2018. Absent since and is probably best watched on this occasion.

Form: P979/8-

Never A Word^t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Fergus Gregory| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 87| BF

20/1

Winner over 1m6f on the fibresand at Southwell last month but has finished held in three subsequent starts at that venue. Market support would be notable on first hurdles start since joining this stable.

Form: 45F223

Cottonvale¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁶⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 85

16/1

Out of form in recent times including when 29L 12th to Tactical Manoeuvre in a heavy ground C&D handicap hurdle last month. Races off a mark 14lb lower than when winning at Fakenham (2m4f, good-to-firm) in June last year.

Form: 050000

Mr Magill^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 84

6/1

Return to this grade appeared to suit when finishing 5L third to Tactical Manoeuvre in a big field handicap hurdle over this C&D on heavy going last time out. Races off the same mark here and and is of interest in this contest.

Form: 820-993

Havacuppa¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Chester Williams| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 84

25/1

Six race maiden was a faller at the first fence in a C&D handicap hurdle on heavy going last time out. Making her handicap debut that day and interesting to see how she fares in this race.

Form: 63400F

No No Tonic²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Edward Austin⁽³⁾| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 81

11/1

Eight race maiden finished a fair fifth in a handicap hurdle over an extended 2m3f at Lingfield (heavy) last month. Likely more needed if she is to register her first victory in this event.

Form: 4U7655

Doodle Dandy^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Tabitha Worsley| T: P Gundry| OR: 78

33/1

16 race maiden under Rules and failed to figure when finishing 32L ninth over an extneded 2m on soft ground here last month. Probably best watched at present.

Form: 0/06049

Spirit Of Rome^p,t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 74

10/1

25 race maiden ran well when finishing 5L fourth in a handicap hurdle over an extended 2m4f at Plumpton (soft) last time out. Races off a 3lb lower mark and is interesting if replicating that effort.

Form: 36-7F54

Asking A Lot^t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Shane Quinlan| T: G Harris| OR: 70

33/1

Point-to-point winner on good ground in May 2018 but has failed to trouble the judge in four completed starts under Rules. Others make more appeal racing from out of the handicap.

Form: P7-U767

Forecasts

Tactical Manoeuvre (15/8), Neetside (9/2), Mr Magill (6/1), Spirit Of Rome (10/1), No No Tonic (11/1), Pahaska (11/1), Astra Via (14/1), Cottonvale (16/1), Russian Service (20/1), Bobmahley (20/1), Never A Word (20/1), Havacuppa (25/1), Call Me Chris (28/1), Doodle Dandy (33/1), Asking A Lot (33/1), Spring Steel (50/1), Moynihans Girl (100/1)

TACTICAL MANOEUVRE completed a double when winning over this C&D last time out and he is taken to defy a 6lb rise in the weights to take this competitive looking handicap hurdle. The selection has the forecast underfoot conditions to suit and he can get the better of Astra Via who remains open to improvement stepping up in distance. Neetside, runner-up to the selection here last time out can finish third.