14:15 Taunton

Monday 13 March 2023

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:05

WilliamHill Champion Hurdle Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 6m 17.61s

Colden's Dream^p1,t1³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 97

10/1

Disappointing following early promise for Dan Skelton in 2021. No impression on return for new yard after 14 months off at Wincanton but headgear now added and this much longer trip should suit. Wouldn't dismiss.

Form: 244FP-7

Karakoram^p,t⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 89| C

15/2

Consistent performer who scored at Exeter (18.5f) in December. In the frame again at Ffos Las last time but wouldn't be sure to stay this sort of trip.

Form: 413544

Hermes Le Gris^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: W Greatrex| OR: 89

22/1

This sort of trip should suit but has some tame efforts in handicaps to leave behind if he's to get off the mark.

Form: 255867

Dancingontheedge²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 89| BF

9/2

All-the-way winner of a 2m Worcester bumper on debut last spring and back on track when third at Market Rasen early last month, again taking strong hold. Fell seventh when well backed in mares' contest over C&D subsequently. Needs to settle down.

Form: 57473F

Just Go For It^t¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Houlihan| T: M Hunt| OR: 88

12/1

Won her first race in 2 years courtesy of the stewards with a tongue strap refitted back over hurdles at Wincanton (21.4f) a fortnight ago, having the run of things under a more prominent ride and battling back (bumped before last, edged out line). Up just 3 lb.

Form: 23-3361

Sindabella^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 86

12/1

Has another race like this in her judged on the pick of her efforts this term, second at Exeter and then her Leicester performance when running out (rider took wrong course on home turn) when in the process of running well. Last month's chase debut written off and one to note.

Form: 2P-62P5

Wearapinkribbon^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 84

50/1

Fairly useful ex-Irish winning hurdler but hasn't done much for present connections. Unproven over this far. Check the betting.

Form: P6P05P

Lighthouse Mill⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: David Dennis| OR: 83

18/1

Produced much his best effort since switched to handicaps when staying on for fourth at Uttoxeter (2½m) back from a break in November. Poor since and bit to prove now.

Form: 70P46P

Wavecrest^v²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 80

50/1

Winning chaser who might have needed the run on first outing since leaving Nigel Hawke after 7 months off but did stop quickly. Headgear back on returned to hurdles. Others preferred.

Form: 452734

Secret Secret^h,t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 78

3/1

Romped home in Flat handicap for Emmet Mullins at Navan in October and wasn't seen to best effect back over hurdles when sixth of 19 at Wetherby (3m) over Christmas, that form decent. Would have finished in the frame but for departing at Catterick 5 weeks ago and one to consider back up in trip.

Form: 56F66U

Portentoso²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Elizabeth Gale⁽⁷⁾| T: C Honour| OR: 77

9/1

Ex-French hurdles/chase winner who showed nothing in 2021/22 for Sam Holdsworth and produced a laboured display despite being fairly strong in the market for new yard back from 11 months off at Carlisle 3 weeks ago. Stamina to prove.

Form: P0700-5

Galactic Power^v⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: H Dickin| OR: 74

28/1

On a long losing run but his last 2 good efforts have come here.

Form: PP-02P8

Flutiste^p,t⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: David Prichard⁽⁵⁾| T: Claire Harris| OR: 74WS

25/1

Poor maiden well beaten both starts at Exeter this season. Has had a wind op.

Form: 2637-76

Saddlers Quest¹²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Ben Jones| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 74

16/1

Poor maiden well held again in 2 starts this season 5 months apart. Off another 127 days. Up in trip.

Form: 4036-75

Sans Of Gold²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: James Best| T: J D Frost| OR: 74

66/1

Unplaced completed start in points and hasn't offered much over hurdles to date. Steps up in trip.

Form: P475P0

Justshortofabubble^p⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 72

17/2

Yet to get his head in front and efforts this season have left plenty to be desired, well held the last twice having been short in the betting.

Form: 858258

Forecasts

Secret Secret (3/1), Dancingontheedge (9/2), Karakoram (15/2), Justshortofabubble (17/2), Portentoso (9/1), Colden's Dream (10/1), Just Go For It (12/1), Sindabella (12/1), Saddlers Quest (16/1), Lighthouse Mill (18/1), Hermes Le Gris (22/1), Flutiste (25/1), Galactic Power (28/1), Wearapinkribbon (50/1), Wavecrest (50/1), Sans Of Gold (66/1)

Poor fare and it could be worth giving COLDEN'S DREAM another chance on the back of his Wincanton return starting out for Harry Fry. This stiffer test is sure to suit him and a bigger performance could be on the way in first-time headgear. Secret Secret is very interesting back up in trip, while Sindabella and the free-going Dancingontheedge also make the shortlist.