15:17 Taunton

Tuesday 23 March 2021

All14:1214:4215:1715:4716:1516:4517:15

Invest Southwest Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:18 | Winning time: 4m 32.27s

Hitdroadjack^t⁶⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Matt Griffiths| T: D A Rees| OR: 104

50/1

Fair chaser for Henry de Bromhead but last seen running poorly in a point and has a long absence to overcome.

Form: U234/33-

Rococo River¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Chester Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 104

8/1

Still to win over fences and folded tamely at Exeter recently, so something to prove for all he'd have claims if on his game.

Form: 7-342PP

Dunbar^t1²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: D A Rees| OR: 103

9/2

Fair hurdler in Ireland and winner of a maiden point in October. Shaped better than bare result at this course on chase debut but failed to build on it at Chepstow. Tried in a tongue strap, now.

Form: 604164

Vue Cavaliere^h¹⁸³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: M G Nolan| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 102

9/1

Hurdles winner in France and was shaping up well over fences in the autumn, runner-up at Warwick in September. Obvious claims if tuned up for her first run in 6 months.

Form: 633U-32

Young O'Leary²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: David Prichard⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 102

9/2

Placed in points and best effort over hurdles when runner-up in a novice at this course 28 days ago. Should be suited by the step up in trip for chasing debut, so not discounted.

Form: P22-4P2

Tierra Verde⁶⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: J B Foley⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 101| C

17/2

Dual 2m hurdle winner in early 2019 and made positive start to chasing at Ludlow in November. Good effort in jumpers bumper subsequently, so one to consider after a break.

Form: 31/0643

Who Shot Jr^p,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 98| C

7/1

Fair winner who didn't shape badly on return/chase debut in September but has disappointed since, including back hurdling.

Form: 5PP785

Elios D'Or^p,t⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 96

20/1

13/2 and cheekpieces on, best effort when second of 13 in novice claiming hurdle at Ludlow on penultimate start and latest effort best excused (kicked at the start). Should take to fences.

Form: 7P7620

Astra Via^p⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Niall Moore⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 92

20/1

Surpassed pick of her hurdles form in first-time cheekpieces when making third chase start a winning one at Sedgefield but pulled up at Ffos Las subsequently, so needs to bounce back.

Form: 37-7P1P

New Moon^t⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 86

20/1

Modest form only start in bumpers for Nicky Henderson and not got competitive over hurdles for new yard. Up against it switched to chasing.

Form: 9/77680

Princess Midnight^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 79

17/2

Gained breakthrough win in 2m Hereford chase in November, but not in anything like the same since, including in a jumpers bumper at Lingfield.

Form: 431859

Fair To Dream^h²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: W T Kennedy| T: S-J Davies| OR: 79

16/1

Poor hurdler/chaser but at least offered more encouragement when runner-up at Ludlow in February. Not sure to build on that, however.

Form: 79-6UP2

Hold Me Tight^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Gundry| OR: 79

15/2

Long-standing maiden but he arrives in good nick, third in 2m1f handicap chase (10/1) at Fontwell last time. Needs considering.

Form: 242633

Treacys Jim³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁷⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 76

50/1

Yet to show any form in three 2m runs over hurdles and a handicap chase, so hard to make a case for.

Form: P09-U0P

Forecasts

Young O'Leary (9/2), Dunbar (9/2), Who Shot Jr (7/1), Hold Me Tight (15/2), Rococo River (8/1), Tierra Verde (17/2), Princess Midnight (17/2), Vue Cavaliere (9/1), Fair To Dream (16/1), Astra Via (20/1), Elios D'Or (20/1), New Moon (20/1), Hitdroadjack (50/1), Treacys Jim (50/1)

TIERRA VERDE shaped encouragingly from a long way back when fourth on chasing debut late last year and, having run with credit in a jumpers bumper subsequently, she's worth chancing in a weak race despite her advancing years. The in-form Hold Me Tight is a danger, while Vue Cavaliere could take a hand if she's fully tuned up.