13:27 Taunton

Thursday 7 April 2022

All13:2714:0214:3515:1015:4516:2016:5217:25

Rusty's Thank You Family And Friends Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 13:27 | Winning time: 4m 4.72s

Full Aux Rois^h,t¹³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: James Best| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 99

22/1

Showed ability in maiden hurdles for Emmet Mullins in Ireland, but has failed to land a meaningful blow in three starts since switched to handicaps for new yard.

Form: 4335P6

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Sweet Nightingale⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Rex Dingle| T: P Gundry| OR: 95

11/1

Has shown signs of ability in maiden/novice company and appeals as the type to make more of an impact now pitched into a handicap. Not discounted.

Form: 65-7835

Professor Calculus²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 97

14/1

Just one piece of worthwhile form on the Flat for Richard Hannon, and he hasn't shown enough in his qualifying runs to suggest that he'll be a force on handicap debut in this sphere.

Form: 357

Cry Wolf²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: R P McLernon| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 88| D

11/1

Four-time Flat winner who belied odds of 50/1 when striking for the first time over hurdles at Worcester (23f) in 2021. Ought to come on for last month's spin here (first run for four months), but may find this trip too sharp.

Form: 5/13234

Poet's Reflection¹⁰²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: David Noonan| T: Miss L Blackford| OR: 84| C

10/1

Successful over 19f here last spring and placed on a couple of occasions since, including when third back at this course in November. Rare below par effort at Wincanton next time and each-way claims if tuned-up following a break.

Form: 14-2F30

Ascot Day^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Jordan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 83

11/1

Fair Flat winner who was by no means disgraced returned to this sphere on the back of a four-month break when fifth of 11 at Chepstow (2m) a fortnight ago. 3 lb lower now and he's not without hope.

Form: 65-2875

Dolly McQueen^t⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: David Prichard⁽⁵⁾| T: F Brennan| OR: 83| CD

12/1

Capitalised on drop in grade when landing back-to-back selling hurdles (second one over C&D) late last year. However, she ran poorly at Plumpton when last seen in January.

Form: 247119

Olly's Folly⁷⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Bryan Carver| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 82

14/1

Poor Flat maiden who bettered previous efforts in this sphere when second to Dolly McQueen in C&D seller in December. No real impact in a handicap at Exeter next time, though, and others look stronger.

Form: 3825

Colonel Lesley⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Claire Harris| OR: 81| D

28/1

Winner of just one of his 18 starts over hurdles and while he'd be a big player off this reduced mark if on-song, his profile is decidedly patchy. Debut for new yard.

Form: 570240

Kolisi^t⁴^{(ex 7)}

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 81| D

8/11

Fairly useful Flat performer for William Haggas who, on the back of a wind op, left his previous hurdles form well behind when making a winning handicap bow in this sphere at Hereford (16.2f) recently. Obvious claims under a penalty.

Form: PP771

Miss Marette^h⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 74WS

14/1

Appeared to take a step forward on third start in bumpers here last spring, but she has struggled over hurdles this season and big step forward needed here having undergone a wind op.

Form: 84-009P

Junior Massini^p¹¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: M Goldstein| T: H James| OR: 67

125/1

Appears to be of little account judged on what he's shown to this point and 6 lb 'wrong' at the weights.

Form: 8-P43P

Forecasts

Kolisi (8/11), Poet's Reflection (10/1), Ascot Day (11/1), Sweet Nightingale (11/1), Cry Wolf (11/1), Dolly McQueen (12/1), Professor Calculus (14/1), Miss Marette (14/1), Olly's Folly (14/1), Full Aux Rois (22/1), Colonel Lesley (28/1), Junior Massini (125/1)

KOLISI showed something akin to his fairly useful Flat form when making a winning handicap debut over hurdles at Hereford on Sunday, and this 4-y-o will prove hard to beat under a penalty here with the promise of better to come. The one for the forecast could be Ascot Day, who didn't fare badly when returning from a break at Chepstow recently. Sweet Nightingale is open to improvement now handicapping and she's also shortlisted.