16:15 Wincanton

Wednesday 1 March 2023

All14:1014:4015:1015:4516:1516:4517:20

Somerset Workwear Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 5m 21.03s

Astigar^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 112

3/1

Shaped as if the run was needed after 20 months off (had wind op) when mid-field at Cheltenham in November but unable to build on that effort after a further 12 weeks off at Exeter last month. Capable on his novice form and he's interesting with the handicapper relinquishing his grip.

Form: 22P2/08

Sandalwood²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 98

5/2

Showed fairly useful form when second on his final bumper run at Newton Abbot last spring but hasn't got near that level on both completed starts in this sphere, sporting first-time cheekpieces at Exeter 4 weeks ago. Headgear left off and should show more on handicap bow.

Form: 662-U87

Rebel Intentions⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 97

11/2

Hinted at promise in bumpers and showed fair form over hurdles last season. However, well held in Worcester handicap hurdle on his reappearance in October and has failed to take to the larger obstacles in a couple of attempts. Tough to fancy, even back over timber.

Form: 543-6PP

Noble Savage³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Jordan Nailor| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 93

7/2

Some good efforts in handicap hurdles last season and shaped as if better for the run after 10 months off when sixth at Doncaster (16.6f) just under 5 weeks ago. Mark eases a shade further and should have no trouble back up in trip.

Form: 29457-6

Just Go For It^t⁵⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: Sean Houlihan| T: M Hunt| OR: 85

4/1

Winning hurdler for previous trainer but well held both starts over fences this term. Reverts to the smaller obstacles and the tongue strap goes back on.

Form: 423-336

Result Amended

Noble Savage - Original Position 1st. Amended Position 2nd.

Just Go For It - Original Position 2nd. Amended Position 1st.

Non-Runners

Hititi¹¹

Weight: 12-1| Age: 6

T: R Walford J: Harry Kimber

Hardy Boy¹⁹

Weight: 11-11| Age: 6

T: B Pauling J: Non Runner

Mikhailovich²²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: K Bailey & M Nicholls J: David Bass

Forecasts

Hititi (15/8), Sandalwood (5/2), Hardy Boy (5/2), Astigar (3/1), Noble Savage (7/2), Just Go For It (4/1), Mikhailovich (5/1), Rebel Intentions (11/2)

Cases can be made for a few of these but HARDY BOY fared much better than previously this season sporting first-time cheekpieces when going down by just a short head at Kempton last month, so provided the headgear is as equally as effective on this occasion, he's fancied to go a place better. Astigar has been given a chance by the assessor, so he's feared most, ahead of handicap debutant Sandalwood.