18:00 Taunton

Wednesday 21 April 2021

All16:5517:3018:0018:3019:0019:30

Invest Southwest Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:00 | Winning time: 4m 0.11s

Darkest Day^v¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 101| D

6/1

As good as ever when opening his account at Plumpton in March and subsequent effort there easily excused, so not taken lightly.

Form: 523216

Ronde De Nuit¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 100| BF

9/1

Fair form on sole run on Flat in France but underwhelming so far over hurdles for this stable, pulled up at Newton Abbot on handicap debut 18 days ago. Too soon to completely write off, though.

Form: 584P

Sad Eyed Dylan^h,t⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 92WS

13/2

Struggled to see his races out through the winter but has had a breathing operation since last seen and could benefit from a return to this sort of ground, so one to note from a much-reduced mark.

Form: 2/7-0868

Plenty Of Butty¹⁰³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: T Scudamore| T: M Scudamore| OR: 86

16/1

Won a 2m Newton Abbot handicap hurdle in September before a good second at Plumpton. Subsequent efforts were pretty tame but could get back on track after a break.

Form: 5-41249

Johni Boxit^p¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: B Barr| OR: 82

28/1

Fair Flat performer who continues to struggle, well held again on the level at Yarmouth on Tuesday.

Form: 9/06-4PP

Uncle O^t⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: James Davies| T: C Hobson| OR: 79

17/2

Runner-up on his latest hurdling outing at Hereford in November and not disgraced in a trio of jumpers bumpers earlier this year. Claims if tuned up after 79 days off.

Form: 67-2385

Mi Laddo^t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽³⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 78| CD

2/1

Has got his act together since joining this yard, scoring on the Flat in January and gaining belated first hurdling success over C&D 13 days ago. Remains well treated, so he's a big player.

Form: P87561

Rathnure Ranger^h²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 75

33/1

Maiden pointer who is yet to show much under Rules.

Form: 08-F3P9

Kimberley^p,t¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 80

7/2

Fair maiden on the Flat for James Fanshawe. Not at that level over hurdles but placed on both handicap outings and could have more to come if brushing up her jumping.

Form: 59723

Lightning Bug¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 72

66/1

No promise under either code so far.

Form: F67

Non-Runners

Fanfan La Colmine¹³

Weight: 11-11| Age: 6

T: C J Down J: Miss H C Tucker

Eventful⁹⁸

Weight: 11-1| Age: 4

T: J & S Best J: Nick Scholfield

Forecasts

Mi Laddo (2/1), Kimberley (7/2), Darkest Day (6/1), Sad Eyed Dylan (13/2), Eventful (13/2), Uncle O (17/2), Ronde De Nuit (9/1), Plenty Of Butty (16/1), Fanfan La Colmine (25/1), Johni Boxit (28/1), Rathnure Ranger (33/1), Lightning Bug (66/1)

EVENTFUL looks potentially well treated based on Flat form and should be more at home under these conditions after a break, so she's fancied to improve enough to land a handicap that looks competitive for the grade. Recent winner Mi Laddo is an obvious danger, while Darkest Day also warrants respect.