14:45 Wincanton

Thursday 4 February 2021

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

Watch Race Replays At racingtv.com Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 5m 17.8s

And The New⁵⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Jordan Nailor| T: J Farrelly| OR: 131

4/1

Has looked as good as ever since returning from a long absence, stamina seeming to ebb away late on when sixth over 3m at Cheltenham last time. Drop in trip therefore a good move.

Form: 2994/26

Dan McGrue^p,t²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Archie Bellamy| T: B Barr| OR: 130

40/1

Is a weak finisher but wasn't disgraced behind the promising Bear Ghylls on second start for this yard at Exeter (18.5f) last time.

Form: 1086-54

Nordic Combined^b,t³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 129

12/1

Opened hurdles account at Taunton final run last term. Resolution when push comes to shove often missing with him though, and he hung left before falling at Newbury a month ago.

Form: 1-6525F

Broken Quest^t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Lily Pinchin| T: M Sheppard| OR: 128| D

5/1

Better than ever for Tom Symonds in December, winning at Ludlow and dead-heating at Taunton (3m). Should be just as effective back down trip (strong traveller) and can go well again.

Form: 1135/11

Thor De Cerisy²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: R Patrick| T: M Scudamore| OR: 125

6/1

Fairly useful hurdler who again ran well on the back of a wind operation when third at Leicester (15.5f) 22 days ago, running on. First try at beyond 2m.

Form: 1623-33

Rocheston⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 125

9/1

Won Chepstow maiden on second start for Paul Nicholls in November, but that was a muddling race and he was beaten under a penalty at Southwell last time. Into handicaps now with a bit to prove.

Form: 3/714

Stormy Flight²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 123

5/2

Taunton maiden hurdle winner and arrives at the top of his game, again ridden with restraint when runner-up at Exeter 3 weeks ago. Same mark here and he should remain competitive at the very least.

Form: 31-3732

Zafar²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 115

17/2

Fairly useful Flat maiden who showed fair form in this sphere in 2018/19. Stepped up on Taunton return when fourth of 11 in Fontwell handicap (17.7f) 3 weeks ago, racing on unfavoured inside.

Form: 2239/04

Clongowes^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Tabitha Worsley| T: D Steele| OR: 102

50/1

Useful at up to 2m on the Flat in Ireland for Jim Bolger in 2018. Bit of promise in maiden/novice hurdles for new yard this term but more needed now handicapping.

Form: 796

Non-Runners

Mustang Alpha⁵⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: Jamie Snowden J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Stormy Flight (5/2), And The New (4/1), Broken Quest (5/1), Thor De Cerisy (6/1), Zafar (17/2), Rocheston (9/1), Nordic Combined (12/1), Mustang Alpha (14/1), Dan McGrue (40/1), Clongowes (50/1)

STORMY FLIGHT was unlucky to bump into the unbeaten Bear Ghylls at Exeter last month and is clearly up to winning a handicap from his current mark. Zafar stepped up on his return at Fontwell 3 weeks ago and is worth extra credit considering he was the only one to race along the unfavoured inside. The thriving Broken Quest completes the shortlist.