15:50 Wincanton

Thursday 18 November 2021

All12:4513:1513:4514:1514:4515:1515:50

Somerset 'Hands And Heels' Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Conditional & Amateur Jockeys)

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 3m 35.67s

Majestic Merlin^t²⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Jack Martin⁽⁵⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 103

9/2

Improved effort when going close on handicap debut in this race a year ago. Hampered 2 out but still managed to finish third fitted with a tongue tie in March and returns with yard in form.

Form: 7442P3-

Norley^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 103

10/3

Bumped into a well treated one at Exeter and duly went one better in 9-runner contest at Stratford 3 weeks ago. That wasn't a deep race but 4 lb rise looks lenient while drop in trip should be fine.

Form: 45-3621

Amelia's Dance^h¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss Eleanor Williams⁽³⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 102| BF

11/2

Found some improvement when readily opening her account at Stratford (16.3f) last month. Sound brace of third-place finishes from this mark since.

Form: 70-3133

Noble Savage¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 102

5/2

Modest in bumpers and low-key start over hurdles but much more like it when runner-up on handicap debut/reappearance at Lingfield 18 days ago.

Form: 7/9635-2

Sarceaux³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Bromley| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 96

18/1

Fair 12.5f Flat winner in France and more like it over hurdles in handicaps this term. Fell early at Stratford.

Form: P8-323F

Ascot Day^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: J R Wildman⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 90

20/1

Fair Flat winner who resumed winning ways at Epsom in July. No obvious promise on last month's hurdle return at Stratford but the refitting of his usual headgear may help.

Form: 9965-28

Gaelic Thunder¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: James Turner⁽³⁾| T: C Honour| OR: 84

80/1

Well held in bumpers and similar story over hurdles so far. Handicap debut.

Form: 6006-0

New Zealander^p⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: B Roberts⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 80

9/2

Maiden who was beaten a long way out at Newton Abbot in September. Represents red-hot yard and market may guide.

Form: 55684P

Non-Runners

Peloric²²⁹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: J Scott J: Luke Scott

Forecasts

Noble Savage (5/2), Norley (10/3), Majestic Merlin (9/2), New Zealander (9/2), Amelia's Dance (11/2), Peloric (13/2), Sarceaux (18/1), Ascot Day (20/1), Gaelic Thunder (80/1)

Having found only a well-handicapped rival too strong at Exeter, NORLEY went one better in ready fashion at Stratford 3 weeks ago and his revised mark looks well within range. Noble Savage and Majestic Merlin are feared most unless there's confidence in the betting behind New Zealander.