14:30 Taunton

Tuesday 21 February 2023

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:05

Racing To School Blackbrook Primary Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 4m 45.9s

Prison Break^t1⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 12-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 102WS

25/1

Fair winner on Flat for Richard Fahey and stepped on his first 2 hurdle efforts when making a successful handicap debut at Ffos Las in June. Ran to a similar level when fourth at Hereford in November but pulled up at Fontwell 4 weeks later. Has had wind surgery since (also tongue tied first time).

Form: 3-3164P

Hillsin²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: Claire Harris| OR: 100

40/1

Modest maiden for Gavin Cromwell in Ireland but did record one of his better efforts when fourth in 2m handicap at Limerick 3 weeks ago. Has changed yard since.

Form: 3-P0804

Port Or Starboard^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 99

11/2

Runner-up 4 times over hurdles last season. Below par both starts since returning from an 8-month break but the handicapper has given him a bit of a chance so certainly can't be discounted.

Form: 342-656

Dancing Harry¹⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: D A Jacob| T: R A Teal| OR: 97

2/1

Notched fourth Flat success when taking a 1¾m Salisbury handicap in June. Placed twice in maiden hurdles (2m here latterly) in the autumn and his opening mark in this sphere is very workable based on Flat ability.

Form: 532

The Rain King^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Miss Thomosina Eyston⁽⁷⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 91

10/1

Fairly useful on Flat (stays 8.5f). Yet to better modest form over hurdles but his latest 6 lengths fifth in a 2m course handicap was a bit more encouraging. Whether he benefits from this longer trip remains to be seen.

Form: 0/83P5

Ballygoe^h¹¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 89

10/3

Showed fair form when making the frame first 2 starts over hurdles. Has found life tough in handicaps since but he's been dropped another 5 lb and could be down to a mark he can make an impact from.

Form: 80-5357

Escobedo^t,v1¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Reed| T: M F Harris| OR: 85

28/1

Fair maiden on the Flat . Stepped up on initial efforts over hurdles when third on handicap debut in this sphere at Wincanton (2m, good to soft) in November but ran poorly at Market Rasen 12 weeks later. Now has a first-time visor added to his tongue strap.

Form: 5-3836

Professor Calculus^t,v1¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 84

28/1

Maiden on Flat/over jumps and will need a first-time visor to give him a lift if he's to break his duck here.

Form: 76-5847

Sister Saint²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 83

14/1

Well beaten in a bumper and 3 hurdles but she's a well-bred sort in top hands and it would be no surprise to see her fare a lot better in handicaps. Market confidence would look significant.

Form: 8-977

Sans Of Gold⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Bryony Frost| T: J D Frost| OR: 78

20/1

Unplaced completed start in points and hasn't offered much over hurdles to date, pulling up on handicap debut last month.

Form: 5-P475P

Horizon D'or^t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: J E Moore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 74

6/1

Runner-up second of 2 starts in Irish points but he has offered little in 4 novice hurdles. Handicaps provide her with a more realistic chance but would need to see market support to consider.

Form: 4/2-9P98

Instant Gambler⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 73

50/1

Has shown little in maiden/novice hurdles. Has a basement mark for his handicap debut but still can't make a case for.

Form: 6FU-80P

Non-Runners

West Park Boy²⁴

Weight: 11-10| Age: 5

T: P Hobbs & J White J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Dancing Harry (2/1), Ballygoe (10/3), Port Or Starboard (11/2), Horizon D'or (6/1), West Park Boy (7/1), The Rain King (10/1), Sister Saint (14/1), Sans Of Gold (20/1), Prison Break (25/1), Professor Calculus (28/1), Escobedo (28/1), Hillsin (40/1), Instant Gambler (50/1)

The level DANCING HARRY has reached on the Flat suggests that an opening handicap hurdle mark in the 90s shouldn't be beyond him, particularly as he showed an aptitude for jumping when placed twice in maidens in the autumn. Sister Saint has yet to show much but it's rare for the Paul Nicholls stable to have one starting out from such a low mark and a market move for her would be very interesting.