15:40 Taunton

Thursday 8 December 2022

All12:2813:0013:3514:0814:3815:0815:40

Christmas Meeting 21st December Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 6m 5.45s

Caspers Court^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: K Woollacott| OR: 99| D

7/2

Snapped a losing run when narrowly prevailing at Fontwell (21.8f) in June and has continued in form, latest when creditable third of 7 in handicap hurdle (7/2) at Exeter (23.1f, good to soft) 24 days ago. Should give another good account.

Form: 2-31323

Killybegs Junior^b1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 97| D

11/2

Made encouraging start for new yard when fourth in handicap hurdle at Carlisle (20f) in October. Disappointing at Wincanton since but remains low mileage and enters calculations.

Form: 1313-46

Wearapinkribbon^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Brendan Powell| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 96

40/1

Fairly useful ex-Irish winning hurdler but hasn't done much for present connections. Can only be watched for now.

Form: 07-5P6P

Braganza Bay^p²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: H D Daly| OR: 93

1/1

Responded to first-time cheekpieces when taking 9-runner handicap hurdle at Hereford (25.5f, soft) 23 days ago, staying on well. 5 lb rise looks lenient and holds strong follow-up claims.

Form: 54-PP91

Argus^t⁶⁸⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 88

80/1

Failed to complete twice in early 2021 and not seen since. Hard to recommend. Tongue strap on for first time in this code.

Form: 6910PP/

Alramz²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 85

7/1

Fell early latest but had made the frame in 3 previous handicaps and is likely to make his presence felt again here.

Form: 8-6333F

Lord Bill²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 84

11/1

Form of his 100/1 second at Chepstow in April very much rates a standout amongst an otherwise underwhelming profile. Well held in selling company last time.

Form: 9928-P4

Dannystory²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: H Brown| OR: 84

33/1

Second on final run in points but no impact in bumper or either hurdle start. Starts handicapping off basement mark at least.

Form: 4-P2434

Octavius Sabini^b1¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: Danny Burton⁽⁵⁾| T: Joe Ponting| OR: 74

50/1

Offered little in a trio of outings to date and remains to be seen if switch to handicapping brings about improvement.

Form: 58P

Sure Listen²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: James Best| T: Mrs F M Shaw| OR: 74

40/1

Promise in point but little impact under Rules, finishing well behind on return to action at Wincanton last month.

Form: 90P3-F4

Galactic Power^v1³⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: H Dickin| OR: 70

33/1

Not successful since 2018 and at veteran stage now. Makes limited appeal from 3 lb out of the handicap. Visored for first time.

Form: 3/P3PP-0

Menapian^b1⁵⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 67

28/1

Poor maiden who failed to complete at Newton Abbot last time. 6 lb out of the handicap and easy enough to look elsewhere. Tries first-time blinkers.

Form: P42-34P

Non-Runners

Harde Fashion¹⁴

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: D Bourne J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Braganza Bay (1/1), Caspers Court (7/2), Killybegs Junior (11/2), Alramz (7/1), Lord Bill (11/1), Menapian (28/1), Galactic Power (33/1), Dannystory (33/1), Sure Listen (40/1), Wearapinkribbon (40/1), Octavius Sabini (50/1), Harde Fashion (50/1), Argus (80/1)

Last month's Hereford winner BRAGANZA BAY has excellent claims of scoring again in a race where few of his rivals arrive in form. Caspers Court and Alramz look the likeliest dangers.