15:15 Taunton

Friday 30 December 2022

All12:4513:1513:4514:1514:4515:1515:45

Claire Hitch 50th Birthday Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 7m 10.11s

Doyen La Lutte^b⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 100

28/1

Winning pointer who made the frame on several occasions over timber last term. Disappointing start over fences this time around, though.

Form: 0274-6P

Minella Voucher^p,t⁸⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Toby Wynne⁽⁵⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 97| BF| D

12/1

Veteran who completed a hat-trick in September and is probably best excused his latest sub-par effort at Sedgefield. Given a break since and could make his presence felt.

Form: 241114

Havanella⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Burke| T: O Sherwood| OR: 91

18/1

Won 3-runner race on completed start in Irish points but yet to show much under Rules, including on handicap/chasing debut at Hereford a couple of months ago. Upped markedly in trip.

Form: 10654-7

Puppet Warrior^p⁵⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: G Howell| OR: 85

25/1

Some decent bits and pieces of form to his name but record stands at 0-23 overall and he was well held at Chepstow last month.

Form: 63353/6

Kingsmill Gin²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: Miss J Du Plessis| OR: 84| BF| CD

10/3

Potentially well handicapped and was in the process of running creditably when unseating her rider at Wincanton a month ago. Won this last season and deserves respect.

Form: 1455-3U

Leading Knight⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: R Chapman| OR: 81WS

11/1

Placed in handicap hurdles for Ben Pauling last summer and proved that he retains ability when fifth at Hereford on second start for this stable a couple of months ago. Might need this initial experience over fences.

Form: 5/243-65

Advantura^b³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 79

3/1

Poor form over hurdles and fell on chase debut in a handicap at Lingfield, so arrives with a bit to prove.

Form: 045P2-F

Yaazaain²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 79

25/1

Poor maiden hurdler who didn't have much chance at the weights when fourth in a seller at this course last time. Back over fences now, but others make more appeal.

Form: 022834

Kayf Baha^t1²⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: J E Moore| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 74

7/1

Little sign of encouragement over hurdles last season and likely best watched now switched to fences after 9 months off.

Form: 410009-

Botus Fleming^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Ffrench-Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss J Du Plessis| OR: 71

40/1

Appears to be of little account and looks set for another struggle.

Form: 9P6/64-8

Dysania⁴⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 71

10/1

Little show over hurdles/in handicap chase for Kayley Woollacott/Charlie Longsdon. Starts out for another new yard after 13 months off.

Form: 708P0/0-

Luckello²²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 70

9/2

Limited hurdler for Olly Murphy but has won both starts in points since last seen under Rules and looks well worthy of interest off a basement mark for a new yard now chasing.

Form: 7576-11

Forecasts

Advantura (3/1), Kingsmill Gin (10/3), Luckello (9/2), Kayf Baha (7/1), Dysania (10/1), Leading Knight (11/1), Minella Voucher (12/1), Havanella (18/1), Puppet Warrior (25/1), Yaazaain (25/1), Doyen La Lutte (28/1), Botus Fleming (40/1)

This is a weak affair and there's a good case to be made for LUCKELLO who, although disappointing over hurdles, has won between the flags twice since last seen under Rules and could be well treated now chasing. Last year's winner Kingsmill Gin is a danger and there's every chance Minella Voucher will bounce back to form.