13:23 Taunton

Wednesday 21 December 2022

All12:5313:2313:5314:2314:5315:2315:53

Paul Kelson Barber Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:23 | Winning time: 7m 5.8s

Sizing Cusimano^b³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁷⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 117| D

25/1

Right back to form when scoring by a wide margin at Newton Abbot in May but out of sorts since and hard to warm to at present, despite slipping to a potentially handy mark.

Form: P956PP

Premier D'troice^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: Katy Price| OR: 117| C| D

7/1

Capitalised on a much reduced mark when landing a Uttoxeter handicap in June. However, he's shown little spark since returning from a summer break and needs to bounce back.

Form: 34-2184

Milanford^b1,t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr George Hiscock⁽⁷⁾| T: S Hosie| OR: 115

11/2

Useful novice chaser for Nick Mitchell in 2020/21 but has struggled to make an impact in 3 starts for new yard since returning from a year off last month.

Form: P/5P-673

Trixster^t³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 114| C

9/2

Successful over hurdles here in March and opened chase account in good style at Southwell the following month. Below par at Cheltenham last time but now eased in grade and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 3312-27

Some Detail¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: N J Hawke| OR: 110| C

85/40

Gained a first chase success over 23f here in February and majority of his subsequent efforts have been at least respectable, including when fourth in a 30.7f handicap at Exeter recently. Needs considering.

Form: 133-434

Flying Verse^b,t⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: David Dennis| OR: 108| D

11/1

In good form since undergoing a wind op during the summer and arrives here on a hat-trick having hit the target at Stratford (22.6f) and Musselburgh (31.5f) the last twice. Remains feasibly treated and another bold show on the cards.

Form: 233211

Hotel Du Nord²⁹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Charlie Sprake⁽⁷⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 107

33/1

Dual point winner but he's 0-11 under Rules and is probably best watched on return here for new yard.

Form: 12/4223-

Faitque De L'Isle²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: M Scudamore| OR: 98| BF

7/2

Fair form over fences in France in 2020 and got off the mark for current yard at Ffos Las (23.8f) in October. Shade disappointing when third in a 4-runner affair at Leicester last time, though, and likely to find one or two too good.

Form: 25-31P3

Non-Runners

Boughtbeforelunch¹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 9

T: P R Webber J: R P McLernon

Forecasts

Some Detail (85/40), Faitque De L'Isle (7/2), Trixster (9/2), Milanford (11/2), Premier D'troice (7/1), Flying Verse (11/1), Boughtbeforelunch (14/1), Sizing Cusimano (25/1), Hotel Du Nord (33/1)

Based on recent evidence, SOME DETAIL, Flying Verse and Trixster are the most likely candidates. The hat-trick seeking Flying Verse is the obvious starting point and he is greatly respected but Some Detail is now just 2 lb higher than for his latest success here in February and is appealing on the back of a creditable effort in a stronger race than this at Exeter. Trixster will find this easier than the Cheltenham handicap he contested last time and he is capable of a very bold show.