16:00 Taunton

Tuesday 17 March 2020

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Visit racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 1.85s

Playa Blanca²^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 12-5| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 105

5/4

Winner of three of his 12 starts over timber and arrives here on the back of a couple of wins this month at Warwick and more recently at Market Rasen on Sunday. Quickly turned out to land the hat-trick.

Form: 465011

Stage Summit¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss J Du Plessis| OR: 107

6/1

Pleasing third of 10 runners on first start for new connections at Exeter earlier this month following a move from the Ben Pauling yard. Seven-race maiden but better than previous starts suggest.

Form: 2F-8043

Caro Des Flos⁷⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: M D Grant| T: J S Smith| OR: 105| D

25/1

Distance winner, the gelding has not been disgraced in a number of starts in the last 12 months. Can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

Form: 253545

Dalaman^t⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: R Johnson| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 103

8/1

Finished fourth on both starts for this stable including when beaten 5½L in finishing fourth in a 2m handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter on heavy ground in January. Market support would be notable stepping up in distance.

Form: P3PP-44

Lamanver Bel Ami^h²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber| OR: 102

25/1

Promising bumper form has been compromised in a couple of dismal hurdling efforts since December. Looks to have a mountain to climb.

Form: 45-706

Tactical Manoeuvre⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 100| CD

4/1

A game winner of his last three starts (last two over C&D) and has to merit an interest as he's on the crest of a wave since joining his current yard. He only does what's required so it won't be easy for his supporters but likely to be thereabouts.

Form: P-43111

Flou Artsistique^h,t⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 97

14/1

French-import has been firmly put in his place in three wretched efforts over hurdles since his debut for this yard in December. Plenty to find on recent offerings.

Form: 4870

Menapian⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 85

20/1

Eight-race maiden over hurdles. Eighth of 12 beaten 47L over C&D when last seen in January. Lightly raced in the last 12 months and hard to see him make any significant impact in this contest.

Form: 5492-58

Just Go For It^t1²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: James Best| T: K Bishop| OR: 85

100/1

Well held and no impression in a novice and maiden company before a dismal effort on handicap debut at Wincanton over 2m last month. Out of form and hard to fancy.

Form: 0-000

True Thoughts^b,t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs L J Young| OR: 78

40/1

Distance winner when landing a Wincanton handicap hurdle off a 2lb lower mark back in November. Well held in three starts since with win last year looking a one-off.

Form: P0154P

Result Amended

Playa Blanca - Original Position 2nd. Amended Position 1st.

Stage Summit - Original Position 1st. Amended Position 2nd.

Forecasts

Playa Blanca (5/4), Tactical Manoeuvre (4/1), Stage Summit (6/1), Dalaman (8/1), Flou Artsistique (14/1), Menapian (20/1), Caro Des Flos (25/1), Lamanver Bel Ami (25/1), True Thoughts (40/1), Just Go For It (100/1)

PLAYA BLANCA has won three of his 12 starts over timber and arrives here on the back of a couple of wins this month at Warwick and more recently at Market Rasen on Sunday. The five-year-old can continue his progression at the expense of another multiple winner, victorious over C&D Tactical Manoeuvre for trainer Jeremy Scott. The Rebecca Curtis-trained Dalaman can go well under significant jockey booking of Richard Johnson while Stage Summit and the J P McManus-owned Flou Artsistique can compete for remaining prize money.