15:50 Wincanton

Thursday 21 January 2021

All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:20

Somerset National Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 7m 27.7s

Another Venture^v³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Chester Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 140

28/1

Ran well in defeat in 2 of his 3 starts last season and looked as good as ever when making a winning return at Ludlow. Up 5 lb.

Form: 14/263-1

The Kings Writ^t²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: K Woollacott| OR: 135

11/1

Modest form over hurdles in 2016/17 but has since developed into a useful handicap chaser. Not disgraced back over hurdles on return but better was expected at Kempton since. Tongue strap back on.

Form: 3220-37

Nearly Perfect²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 135| C

4/1

Low-mileage 7-y-o who's still improving judged on his wins at Wetherby and here (25f) this season. Stiffer test here should suit so can go well again.

Form: 2/413-11

Midnight Tune^p,t⁶¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁵⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 133| C

12/1

Good strike rate over fences and can be forgiven a poor run final start last season having been ridden too aggressively at Uttoxeter. Shaped as if needing return so not one to write off yet.

Form: 11P1P-R

Limited Reserve^p1⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 129

20/1

Revels in the mud and ended last season on a high over hurdles, following his Taunton success at Sandown (23.5f) in February. Low-key start over fences so far this term, however. Headgear applied.

Form: 3011-33

Dieu Vivant^t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 126WS

33/1

Ended last season on a high with 3m hunter chase success at Ludlow and all the better for return when promising third at Bangor. Not without a chance after wind op.

Form: 6U41-43

Cyclop^p,t⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁵⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 125

13/8

Rejuvenated this season, landing handicaps over fences/hurdles at Chepstow in November and resuming winning ways at Plumpton last week (all under this rider). Big shout off same mark. Yard switch.

Form: 4-71121

Dawson City¹⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 10-10| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽⁷⁾| T: P Gundry| OR: 124| C

13/2

Not as good as he was but only just edged out at Exeter last month off a similar mark. Not in same form at Plumpton since, however, and drop back in trip is a negative.

Form: P4-0327

Gleno⁶⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 120| C

7/1

Fairly useful winning hurdler who, on the back of wind surgery, made a winning return over fences at Lingfield (23.5f). Improved again when following up at Fakenham though was left clear at the last.

Form: P243-11

One Of Us^b⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: T Scudamore| T: Nick Williams| OR: 115

20/1

Ended last term under a cloud and pulled up in 26f handicap chase at Fontwell on return. Fared better in this headgear at Kelso since but others still preferred.

Form: 510P-P4

Non-Runners

Fauburg Rosetgri³³

Weight: 11-9| Age: 9

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: D A Jacob

Forecasts

Cyclop (13/8), Nearly Perfect (4/1), Dawson City (13/2), Gleno (7/1), The Kings Writ (11/1), Midnight Tune (12/1), One Of Us (20/1), Fauburg Rosetgri (20/1), Limited Reserve (20/1), Another Venture (28/1), Dieu Vivant (33/1)

CYCLOP is thriving, winning 3 of his last 4 starts, and holds obvious claims having escaped a penalty for his easy success at Plumpton last week. The progressive Nearly Perfect is feared most, with Dieu Vivant best of the others after an eye-catching run at Bangor.