15:08 Taunton

Thursday 3 March 2022

All14:0814:3815:0815:3816:0816:3817:08

Hippychick Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:08 | Winning time: 5m 9.43s

Baby Ben^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Max Kendrick| T: F O'Brien

12/1

Placed on second of 2 starts in bumpers and in process of shaping creditably prior to falling heavily 2 out on yard/hurdles bow at Market Rasen. Pulled up subsequently, though, so bit to prove.

Form: 02-FP

Benandgone²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Doggrell⁽⁷⁾| T: B Barr

10/3

Left previous form behind when excellent third of 11 in novice hurdle at Wincanton (200/1) 28 days ago. Solid claims if he can take another step forward upped in trip.

Form: 5-083

Gilwen Gus⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams

125/1

Out of a 3m winning hurdler but didn't show enough in a bumper at Ludlow to think he can make a serious impression first time out in this sphere.

Form: 8

Langley Hundred^t⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White

11/4

Well held in a Worcester bumper but shaped better sent hurdling when sixth at Exeter on hurdling debut. Not quite in the same form there next time, but this longer trip should suit. Respected.

Form: 765

Merry Monty¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: James Davies| T: C J Down

80/1

Limited promise in bumpers and well held in a novice at Exeter on first go over hurdles. Will need more time.

Form: 7058

Phoenix Risen²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott

12/1

Minor promise only in a pair of Wincanton bumpers and down the field in a novice over this C&D on first go over hurdles. Others are more persuasive.

Form: 897

South Mountain^h,t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Luca Morgan⁽³⁾| T: B Pauling

16/5

Showed some promise in a brace of bumpers in late 2020 and better effort over hurdles when fourth of 11 in novice at Wincanton 28 days ago. Still appeals as more of a handicap type.

Form: 64-54

Individualiste⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| BF

3/1

Fair on the Flat in France and was a warm order for his juvenile/stable debut at Musselburgh a couple of months ago. Seemed amiss that day, but might well prove a different proposition.

Form: 5

Non-Runners

Norman Kindu¹⁴³

Weight: 10-2| Age: 4

T: N P Mulholland J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Langley Hundred (11/4), Individualiste (3/1), South Mountain (16/5), Benandgone (10/3), Norman Kindu (13/2), Phoenix Risen (12/1), Baby Ben (12/1), Merry Monty (80/1), Gilwen Gus (125/1)

LANGLEY HUNDRED is bred to do better and should be well suited by this longer trip so, while he's only shown modest form to date, he's worth chancing to open his account in this weak-looking affair. Individualiste, although disappointing on British/hurdling debut, is still one to bear in mind, and Benandgone should be involved if he can back up his recent improved showing.