14:10 Wincanton

Thursday 4 February 2021

All12:3013:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:50

Dick Hunt Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 58.60s

The Kings Writ^t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: K Woollacott| OR: 140

10/1

Useful handicap chaser who was right back on track with a tongue fitted when second in a handicap at this course 14 days ago. Likely to give another good account.

Form: 220-372

Springfield Fox²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 138

10/1

Unbeaten in points and ready winner of first 2 chases last winter. Respectable return over hurdles but pulled back in this sphere at Chepstow since, so bit to prove.

Form: 211U-2P

Shantou Flyer^b,t³²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137

15/2

Useful chaser who was placed for the second year running in the Foxhunter at Cheltenham when last seen 10 months ago. Will need to return right on his game to challenge from this mark, though.

Form: 112/113-

Commodore²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 137

22/1

Produced a career best when a narrow second at Haydock on return in November. In the process of producing another sound effort when unseating at Cheltenham next time, but latest effort was poor.

Form: P4P-2U9

Darlac³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137| CD

14/1

Fontwell maiden hurdle winner (19.2f) who was off the mark over C&D in December before a tame display at Kempton 39 days ago. Might well bounce back.

Form: 5-F221P

Final Nudge^t³⁴⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 134| C

13/2

Capitalised on reduced mark in weakish race at Market Rasen on sole start last season. Left David Dennis and off 11 months subsequently, and remains on an appealing mark.

Form: 9F0P8/1-

Lamanver Pippin^b1¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 132

22/1

Low-mileage 7-y-o who landed a Chepstow novice last season. Excellent third at Cheltenham on reappearance but disappointed subsequently.

Form: 413-37P

Time To Get Up^t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 130

10/1

Promise in maiden hurdles in Ireland for Joseph O'Brien and caught the eye on chase/handicap debut at Aintree after 11 months off. Failed to build on it at Wetherby since but longer trip should suit.

Form: 2/42-34

Shanty Alley^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: B I Case| OR: 130

8/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser who arrives on a hat-trick having bolted up from the front at Uttoxeter and Doncaster in December/January. Has another steep rise to contend with, but he warrants respect.

Form: 6F-3311

Seaston Spirit^b³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Sherwood| OR: 129

7/1

Highly progressive sort who produced another career-best when scoring back over fences at Plumpton a month ago. May do better still, so makes obvious appeal.

Form: 11P1-11

Head To The Stars⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 127| CWS

40/1

Signed off last term with a career-best win over at Ludlow but has shown nothing in two outings this time round. Has had a wind op.

Form: F261-PP

Eden Du Houx^b1,t⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 127WS

11/2

Useful hurdler who arrives on back of two creditable fourths in 3m handicap chases at Exeter. Since had wind op and low mileage over fences so no forlorn.

Form: 134-044

Ballycross²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 123

11/1

Unreliable type but well treated and shaped with encouragement on his first start since joining a top stable when fifth at Exeter 25 days ago, finishing with running left. One to note.

Form: PP/272-5

Regal Flow³³

Age: 14| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: R H Buckler| OR: 122| CD

28/1

Midlands National winner in 2018 who has been running respectably this season but might well find this too competitive.

Form: 2P6-636

Forecasts

Eden Du Houx (11/2), Final Nudge (13/2), Seaston Spirit (7/1), Shantou Flyer (15/2), Shanty Alley (8/1), Time To Get Up (10/1), The Kings Writ (10/1), Springfield Fox (10/1), Ballycross (11/1), Darlac (14/1), Lamanver Pippin (22/1), Commodore (22/1), Regal Flow (28/1), Head To The Stars (40/1)

SEASTON SPIRIT has won 5 of his last 6 (over hurdles on reappearance) and probably hasn't finished improving yet, so he gets the nod in a wide-open handicap chase. Ballycross is a big danger on the back of a pleasing start for his new yard and hat-trick seeker Shanty Alley should also go well under a positive ride.