12:05 Wincanton

Tuesday 15 December 2020

All12:0512:3513:0513:3514:0514:3515:0515:35

Every Race Live On Racing TV Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 1)

Off time: 12:07 | Winning time: 3m 57.34s

Across The Park⁷¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Miss L Blackford

40/1

Lightly-raced maiden who has been off track for 23 months. Fitness a big concern on his comeback now.

Form: 67639/

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Armed^h³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Dave Crosse| T: Ian Williams

14/1

Fair 10f maiden on Flat. 40/1 and hood on, jumped badly right and unseated rider first in novice hurdle at Taunton (16.5f, good to soft) on NH debut 33 days ago. In good hands so worth another chance.

Form: U

Baignard^h¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Nick Mitchell

9/1

150/1 but built on debut run when seventh of 14 in 2m novice hurdle at Taunton 19 days ago. May do better still so he's one for the shortlist.

Form: 3323-87

George Of Hearts³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: George Baker

9/2

Fair 1m winner on Flat for George Baker. Goes hurdling now and much respected so worth a market check.

Form:

John Betjeman¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 112

11/10

Fair maiden hurdler who wasn't disgraced when sixth of 10 in 2m novice (50/1) at Lingfield on return. Clear form pick so holds leading claims.

Form: 232-6

Kerry's Boy⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: B Forsey| OR: 85

40/1

First run since leaving Ben Pauling when pulled up in 3m handicap hurdle at Taunton 48 days ago. Significantly down in trip and easily opposed.

Form: 66497/P

Pol Crocan³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White

8/1

40/1, pulled hard early before saddle slipped when well-held sixth of 12 in novice hurdle at Warwick (19f, good to soft) on hurdles bow 39 days ago. Needs to settle.

Form: 0-6

Toad Of Toad Hall¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: Alexandra Dunn

80/1

250/1, offered little when tenth of 14 in novice hurdle at Taunton (16.5f, good) on hurdles bow 19 days ago. Significantly more required.

Form: 00

Troed Y Parc³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: C Honour

5/1

Twice raced over hurdles, better effort when seventh of 11 in 2m novice at Taunton (125/1) 33 days ago. Another step forward is needed now though if he's to trouble the principals.

Form: 4/08-77

Wise Garden^h1²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke

50/1

Yet to show any form of note in two runs over hurdles. Hood goes on now with lots to prove.

Form: 696

Non-Runners

Etoile Rebelle²

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Pounding Poet²¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: T Lacey J: Non Runner

Forecasts

John Betjeman (11/10), Pounding Poet (7/2), George Of Hearts (9/2), Troed Y Parc (5/1), Etoile Rebelle (7/1), Pol Crocan (8/1), Baignard (9/1), Armed (14/1), Kerry's Boy (40/1), Across The Park (40/1), Wise Garden (50/1), Toad Of Toad Hall (80/1)

Lots of these have question marks against them so this looks an excellent opportunuty for form-pick JOHN BETJEMAN to open his account after he returned with a creditable sixth at Lingfield. Baignard could be the one to chase him home if building on his Taunton seventh, with newcomer George of Hearts considered too given his fair winning form on the level.