15:40 Taunton

Wednesday 27 October 2021

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:15

Thatchers Cider Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 3m 55.52s

Folly Gate^t¹⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Chester Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 97

5/1

Fair maiden hurdler who wasn't disgraced when fourth in a novices' handicap hurdle at Ffos Las (20f) in May. Mark has eased ahead of return and no forlorn hope with yard amongst the winners.

Form: FP755-4

Zulu^t³⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: David Noonan| T: Miss G Haywood| OR: 93WS

125/1

Modest form at best on Flat/over hurdles. Absent since being pulled up at Exeter 12 months ago and likely best watched unless market vibes were positive having undergone wind surgery.

Form: P355/6P-

Right Destination¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Max Kendrick| T: F O'Brien| OR: 92

18/1

Maiden hurdler who ran one of better races when runner-up in a Wincanton maiden (15.2f) 2 weeks ago. Mark has eased ahead of return to handicaps but others appeal more for win purposes.

Form: 344382

Gerard Mentor^p,t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 88

5/1

Better signs from his lowly mark over hurdles of late, runner-up at Newton Abbot and filling same spot at Exeter (16.7f) earlier this month. Can go well again in this form.

Form: 76-P522

Shanandoa²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: C Brace| T: D Brace| OR: 86| D

10/1

Waited over 5 years for a first win but scored twice within the space of 5 days in June. Shaped as though still in form since, placed again at Exeter earlier this month. Can give another good account.

Form: 112433

Poet's Reflection¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Miss L Blackford| OR: 84| C

9/2

Off the mark over 19f here in March and matched that when runner-up at Newton Abbot (18.5f) in May, every chance 2 out and keeping on. Rates a player if arriving in same form here.

Form: 5P414-2

Nachi Falls⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Tom Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 81

11/1

Has largely struggled since winning a pair of handicaps last summer, too free and fading from 4 out when ninth of 13 at Exeter (18.5f) 8 days ago. Others make more appeal on balance.

Form: 7-P0659

Rathnure Ranger^h²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 79| D

13/2

Made it 2 wins from last 3 starts on back of 4 months off at Exeter 3 weeks ago, seeing off re-opposing Gerard Mentor. Had run of the race then but circumstances may not be so favourable here.

Form: P93-181

Tally's Son³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Rex Dingle| T: G Harris| OR: 79

200/1

No show on the Flat this year and struggled to make an impact when last seen in this discipline back in 2019.

Form: 008P/

Mi Laddo^p,t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: P J Brennan| T: M F Harris| OR: 76| CD

9/4

Opened hurdles account over C&D in April and arrives here in good nick, keeping on well to finish 1 length fourth at Exeter (16.7f), despite the slow gallop being against him. One to consider.

Form: 2-74554

Non-Runners

Matewan²⁹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: J & S Best J: Non Runner

Karannelle¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: D A Rees J: S Bowen

Ingenuity³⁰

Weight: 10-3| Age: 6

T: A E Jones J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Mi Laddo (9/4), Poet's Reflection (9/2), Folly Gate (5/1), Gerard Mentor (5/1), Rathnure Ranger (13/2), Karannelle (7/1), Shanandoa (10/1), Matewan (10/1), Nachi Falls (11/1), Ingenuity (16/1), Right Destination (18/1), Zulu (125/1), Tally's Son (200/1)

A wide-open handicap with narrow the vote in favour of MI LADDO. Behind a couple of these at Exeter last time, he was noted doing good late work to finish fourth, not least given the slow gallop. He can come out on top, possibly at the chief expense of Folly Gate and Gerard Mentor. Ingenuity is also worth a second look on debut for Alan Jones.