14:11 Taunton

Thursday 26 November 2020

All12:4113:1113:4114:1114:4115:1115:41

Invest Southwest Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:12 | Winning time: 5m 56.85s

Normandy Soldier²⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: M G Nolan| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 121

12/1

Novice hurdle winner who was below form at Ascot on final outing in February but looks the part for chasing so well worth a second look.

Form: 1/57125-

Kauto The King^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 120| BF

9/4

Much improved from hurdles form when easily taking 7-runner handicap at Wincanton (20.2f, good) on debut over fences and backed that up when third under a penalty at Hereford. Should go well again.

Form: 75P5-13

Sandy Boy^b³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 115| D

13/2

Scored twice last season, including under this good conditional, but his attitude has deteriorated, and he once again turned it in at Lingfield last time. Makes chase debut.

Form: 489-P24

Forgetthesmalltalk²⁷²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 114| BF

17/2

Very good return from 19 months off when second at Kempton (3m) a year ago but struggled at Newbury sole start since in February. Chase debut.

Form: 3220/28-

Hey Bud^p1¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 113

13/2

Fairly useful hurdler who shaped promisingly when third in 21f handicap chase at Stratford on return. However, not in anything like the same form when well held at Wincanton since. Headgear applied.

Form: 1/9U5-37

Romanor¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 111

20/1

Now operating from below the mark he was successful from over 21f at Stratford in July but has failed to convince since. Significantly up in trip now.

Form: 434524

God Knows Why²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 111

28/1

Runner-up in Irish maiden points. Efforts over hurdles at Taunton and Newton Abbot not completely devoid of promise, but this demands a significant step forward on chase/handicap bow.

Form: 525-59

Ebony Gale^b1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 110

12/1

Returned after 10 months off with encouraging second in 20f handicap chase at Huntingdon on debut over fences. However, added to patchy record at Warwick next time. Headgear now reached for.

Form: 66/40-28

Faint Hope^t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 110

14/1

Winner of a handicap hurdle at Kempton in May 2018 but pulled up at Ffos Las later that month. Shaped as if retaining ability after 2 years off when fifth on chase bow at Hereford this month.

Form: 5531P/5

Troed Y Melin¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: C Honour| OR: 100

7/1

Runner-up both completed starts over fences for Jimmy Frost. Went one better back with former yard at Exeter (19.2f) on return but found out off revised mark at Chepstow since.

Form: P2U2-18

Favori De Sivola^p1,t1⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: David Noonan| T: Nick Williams| OR: 97WS

16/1

Modest form over hurdles, again let down by jumping on handicap debut at Wincanton. Looked rusty sent chasing after 9 months off at Fontwell in August. Tongue strap/headgear on.

Form: 4/758-5

Forecasts

Kauto The King (9/4), Sandy Boy (13/2), Hey Bud (13/2), Troed Y Melin (7/1), Forgetthesmalltalk (17/2), Normandy Soldier (12/1), Ebony Gale (12/1), Faint Hope (14/1), Favori De Sivola (16/1), Romanor (20/1), God Knows Why (28/1)

KAUTO THE KING has taken well to fences this season, making a winning return at Wincanton before a good third under a penalty at Hereford, and looks the most solid option. Point-winner Normandy Soldier should make a better chaser so may emerge as the biggest threat, ahead of Hey Bud.