14:00 Taunton

Thursday 8 April 2021

All13:2514:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:5517:30

Stables Business Park Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 4m 32.53s

Chez Hans^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 112

6/4

Maiden hurdler but he's knocking on the door, excellent second of 10 in 2m handicap here 16 days ago. Can make his presence felt again upped in trip despite 3 lb rise.

Form: 74-5022

Makety¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: C Heard| OR: 110

33/1

Fairly useful maiden hurdler for Oliver Sherwood but below form both runs for new yard after 8 months off, seventh of 10 in 2m handicap here 16 days ago. Has something to prove.

Form: 4/42-377

Cheng Gong^b²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N B King| OR: 110| CD

10/1

Left previous hurdling runs well behind when landing C&D handicap last month. However, took little interest when pulled up at Fakenham last time so others are preferred. Blinkers replace cheekpieces.

Form: 55771P

Fanfan La Colmine^h²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 105

20/1

Best run over hurdles when fifth in 2m Wincantion novice in February but he failed to back it up on his handicap debut here 24 days ago. Needs a big step forward.

Form: 867656

Folly Gate^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Chester Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 104

10/1

Fair maiden hurdler. Not disgrced given he raced freely when fifth of 10 in 2m handicap here 16 days ago. No forlorn hope off a reduced mark.

Form: 54-FP75

Passing Shadow³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁵⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 101

17/2

Without a win but in good form until below-par sixth at Doncaster last month. Others are better treated at these weights.

Form: 93-5226

Presuming Ed^h²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 98

9/2

Lightly-raced maiden hurdler. Creditable seventh of 13 to Blazing Saddles on handicap bow at Stratford 24 days ago, though carried his head awkardly having pulled hard. Others are more persuasive.

Form: 493-U77

Opine^b1,t³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: K Brogan⁽⁵⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 102

11/2

Yet to get his head in front, but had wind op before fifth of 16 in 2m Southwell handicap 31 days ago, fading late on first run for 3 months. Blinkers on and well worth considering off a good mark.

Form: 2F25

Merchant In Milan^t¹⁴⁶¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: J E Moore| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 83

40/1

Yet to show anything in points and over hurdles. Goes handicapping now with lots to prove.

Form: 4PPF56/

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 15p in the pound

Non-Runners

Grooveur⁸

Weight: 11-13| Age: 5

T: A Ralph J: Bryan Carver

Blazing Saddles²⁴

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: J Scott J: Matt Griffiths

Forecasts

Chez Hans (6/4), Presuming Ed (9/2), Blazing Saddles (9/2), Opine (11/2), Grooveur (8/1), Passing Shadow (17/2), Cheng Gong (10/1), Folly Gate (10/1), Fanfan La Colmine (20/1), Makety (33/1), Merchant In Milan (40/1)

A few with chances, but OPINE has hinted at promise on more than one occasion and is fancied to take advantage of a handy-looking mark wih his yard among the winners. Paul Nicholls' in-form top-weight Chez Hans is another bidding to open his hurdling account and he is feared most, although recent winners Grooveur and Blazing Saddles are also well worth considering in an open handicap.