16:30 Taunton

Tuesday 7 February 2023

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Free Racing On Monday 13th March Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 4m 49.75s

Pleasant Man^p⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Adrian Heskin| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 105

7/4

Useful stayer on Flat who was picked up from Roger Charlton for 175,000 gns. Yet to live up to that price tag but his recent near miss on 18.5f Exeter handicap hurdle debut shows he can be very competitive from his mark.

Form: P-632

Just Loose Change¹¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Ben Jones| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 102

9/1

Signs of abilty before making a big step up to defy odds of 28/1 on handicap debut at Worcester in October readily going clear of 2 next-time-out winners. 9 lb rise is unlikely to prevent a bold bid if ready to roll after a break.

Form: 863-61

Blue Bikini²⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 100

20/1

Won maiden on second start for this yard at Plumpton in November 2021 but very lightly raced since. Well beaten on handicap debut at Newton Abbot back in May. Still early days but perhaps best watched unless the betting hints otherwise.

Form: 23/516-8

Celtic Fortune⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 97

8/1

Some promise in a bumper on sole start last term and posted his best effort to date over hurdles when ninth in a 15-runner Chepstow novice (2m) last time. One to note in the betting now handicapping.

Form: 4-57B9

Barrowmount³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 94

80/1

Maiden winner in 2021 but all downhill in handicaps back from a lengthy absence.

Form: 3-FP87P

Prince Nino^p,t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 92

20/1

Well held in Kempton bumper on only outing for Paul Nicholls almost 2 years ago. No impact in maiden/novice hurdles for new stable in recent months but he might do better in handicaps. One to note in the betting.

Form: 0/P08

Clay¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 91

4/1

Fairly useful maiden on Flat for Richard Hannon. Improved effort over hurdles when third of 17 on 2m Doncaster handicap debut 11 days ago. Likely capable of better again and should have a big say.

Form: 0663

Karakoram^p,t⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 90| CD

4/1

Consistent former C&D winner who scored at Exeter in December. Another sound effort when close fifth of 13 back at Exeter last week. Likely to give his running again.

Form: 324135

Tango Arumba^t1²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 89

22/1

Irish point winner who made all on bumper debut at Newton Abbot in June. Well held in maiden/novice hurdles since but appeals as one who could have more to offer now switching his attentions to handicaps. Tongue tied first time.

Form: 1-1567

Mr Snow Way^p1²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 86

33/1

Half-brother to very smart hurdler/winning chaser Summerville Boy but just minor promise in bumpers and maiden/novice hurdles. Has cheekpieces added now switching to handicap company.

Form: 46-09P

Born In Borris⁹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 85WS

22/1

Fourteen runs since last win in 2020. Ninth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Chepstow (23.5f, good to soft, 11/1) when last seen in November. A subsequent wind op needs to have had a positive effect.

Form: 9880-79

Non-Runners

Instant Gambler²⁹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 7

T: Alexandra Dunn J: J E Moore

Forecasts

Pleasant Man (7/4), Karakoram (4/1), Clay (4/1), Celtic Fortune (8/1), Just Loose Change (9/1), Blue Bikini (20/1), Prince Nino (20/1), Tango Arumba (22/1), Born In Borris (22/1), Mr Snow Way (33/1), Instant Gambler (33/1), Barrowmount (80/1)

This looks a competitive race for the level. CLAY shaped well on his recent Doncaster handicap debut and is well worth a chance to confirm that promise but there are plenty of possible dangers, headed by Just Loose Change who had next-time-out winners behind in second and third when making a successful handicap debut at Worcester in the autumn. Pleasant Man went very close off this mark at Exeter last week and should also be bang there if coping with 2 outings in quick succcession.