15:40 Taunton

Thursday 9 December 2021

All12:3013:0013:3514:1014:4015:1015:40

Taunton Racecourse Business Club Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 6m 6.03s

Clondaw Dancer^b1²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 100

40/1

Showed some ability on 2 of 3 starts in novice/maiden hurdles in 2019. Hard to draw positives from belated return/chase debut effort last month and blinkers fitted ahead of quick switch back to timber

Form: F2594/P

Viking Ruby^p,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 99| CD

20/1

Dual hurdles winner last season. Failed to take to chasing but firm step back in right direction when third over hurdles at Market Rasen (23f) recently. A repeat should see her thereabouts again.

Form: 44PP03

Colonel Manderson⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 97

15/2

5-y-o who didn't progress for Nick Williams. Still in share of second when falling 4 out over fences for new yard at Fontwell in October though, and not one to write off back over hurdles.

Form: 4/676-4F

Carry On The Magic^t1³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 97

15/2

Runner-up sole start in Irish points. Minor promise on third of 3 starts in maiden hurdles at Chepstow (2m) last month and another who may step up now handicapping given he's in top hands. Tongue tied

Form: 2/90-7

Kendelu^v¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 96| C

4/1

Filled runners-up spot twice from reduced mark in October and duly resumed winning ways at Taunton (19f) 2 weeks ago. 4 lb higher mark leaves him with sound claims again in this groove.

Form: 038221

Mini Crest³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 93

16/1

Made more of an impact when placed in handicaps at up to 23f during the summer. Testing ground/10 week break may have caught her out at Lingfield in October and she's not one to write off.

Form: 62-0324

Freddy Fanatapan¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: David Noonan| T: W S Kittow| OR: 92

9/1

Dual hurdles winner last term who hasn't been disgraced in a pair of big field handicaps at upto 21.6f in recent months. Assessor has relinquished his grip a little more but yet to win over this far.

Form: 5P44-55

Belle Jour^b1³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: C Gordon| OR: 92

40/1

Didn't shape at all badly when third on Rules debut in a Plumpton maiden hurdle in April, but well held completed starts since. Fitting of blinkers needs to perk him up.

Form: 3-4F879

Pottlerath^t⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R Patrick| T: M Sheppard| OR: 90

15/2

Maiden who ran one of better races upon joining this yard when fourth of 17 at Chepstow (19.5f) in October, doing best of those ridden patiently. Tackles a longer trip now.

Form: 09-5774

Alramz¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 89

22/1

Posted a career best when scoring at Newton Abbot (18.5f) in July and filled runners-up spot on 2 of last 3 starts. Didn't see his race out quite so well over 19f here last month, though.

Form: 656226

Puzzle Cache^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 85| CD

10/1

Landed a C&D mares' handicap in February and fitter for her comeback, she posted a good third in a 19-runner Exeter handicap (21.6f) last month. This step back up in trip rates a plus now.

Form: 319P-83

Flutiste^b,t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: David Prichard⁽⁵⁾| T: Claire Harris| OR: 84

9/2

Maiden who has stepped up markedly on yard debut/reappearance effort with placed efforts at Chepstow/Exeter in recent weeks. This stiffer test worth exploring again now and not ruled out.

Form: 523-632

Master Tradesman^p,t²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁵⁾| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 84| D

28/1

Maiden who found only a progressive sort too strong when 8.5 lengths second at Newton Abbot (26.5f) in September. Has proved a disappointment in 2 starts since, though.

Form: 73-2270

My Keepsake¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 82

40/1

Fair form in bumpers and whilst she's finished well held in trio of novice hurdle events of late, she's entitled to hold more chance now handicapping. One to note in the betting.

Form: 327-505

Merchant In Milan^t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 78

28/1

Little impact in points/over hurdles, looking set to be well beaten prior to unseating 3 out over extended 21f at Exeter last month.

Form: PF56/6-U

Courtinthemiddle¹²⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: D Faulkner| OR: 76

66/1

Hurdles winner who ran up to best when runner-up at Worcester (23f) but that came back in the summer of 2018 and he's been absent since. Likely best watched on belated return.

Form: 149P62/

Junior Massini^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Miss H C Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: H James| OR: 74

150/1

Dr Massini gelding who offered little only start in bumpers and similar story in trio of selling/novice hurdles so far this campaign. Big leap forward required to figure on handicap bow.

Form: 8-P43

Forecasts

Kendelu (4/1), Flutiste (9/2), Colonel Manderson (15/2), Pottlerath (15/2), Carry On The Magic (15/2), Freddy Fanatapan (9/1), Puzzle Cache (10/1), Mini Crest (16/1), Viking Ruby (20/1), Alramz (22/1), Merchant In Milan (28/1), Master Tradesman (28/1), My Keepsake (40/1), Belle Jour (40/1), Clondaw Dancer (40/1), Courtinthemiddle (66/1), Junior Massini (150/1)

A number with claims in a competitive handicap. COLONEL MANDERSON didn't kick on for his previous stable, yet supported in the betting, was still in a share of second when unseating 4 out over fences at Fontwell in October and he's not one to give up on just yet back over hurdles. He earns the vote, with Kendelu, Carry On The Magic and Flutiste.