15:10 Taunton

Thursday 13 April 2023

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:25

Brain Tumour Research Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 6m 7.53s

Looking For Larry³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Jake Bament⁽⁷⁾| T: T Dennis| OR: 105| D

13/2

Point winner who posted career best in this sphere when taking 15-runner handicap at Exeter (16.7f, good to soft, 12/1) 34 days ago. Step up in trip looks a good move and must enter calculations.

Form: 21-P651

Picks Lad²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 104

9/1

Won a bumper for previous yard and has run with promise in a trio of novice hurdles for Kim Bailey, latest when fourth of 8 at Southwell (15.8f, soft) 24 days ago. Should be suited by this stiffer test of stamina and is a likely contender on switch to handicapping.

Form: 1364

Champ Royal⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Ryan Mania| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 104

12/1

Posted several creditable efforts in Ireland, latest when seventh of 15 in handicap hurdle at Punchestown (20.6f, heavy) 87 days ago. Still a maiden after 9 attempts, however, and remains to be seen if switch to new yard has positive impact.

Form: 439-457

Pedley Wood¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 97

6/1

Lightly-raced maiden who found improvement when second of 7 on handicap debut at Hereford (21.7f, good) in February. Looked unsuited by shorter trip when third at Exeter (18.5f) since and better expected here.

Form: 1-65U23

Dancingontheedge³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 94

5/2

Back to best when narrow second of 16 in handicap hurdle over C&D (soft, 9/2) 31 days ago. 5 lb higher now but looks sure to go well again.

Form: 7473F2

Sandalwood^p⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Buckley⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 93| BF

9/1

Showed fairly useful form when second on his final bumper run at Newton Abbot last spring but hasn't got near that level in a trio of completed starts in this sphere and makes limited appeal. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 62-U875

Safe Destination³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Jordan Nailor| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 89

14/1

Offered bits of promise in maiden/novice hurdles but all 3 outings in handicaps so far have been disappointing, including over this trip at Ffos Las latest.

Form: 465066

Mojito Royale^p³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 89

50/1

Twice placed in Hereford maiden hurdles last season but has offered little in a couple of outings this term.

Form: 0335-PP

Country Kitten^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: David Noonan| T: M Young| OR: 80| D

16/1

Caused a surprise when taking 6-runner handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (23.1f, heavy, 40/1) 23 days ago, driven out. 4 lb rise fair and could prove dangerous if in same form again.

Form: 57PFP1

Weaver's Answer²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 78

4/1

Didn't show much in trio of novice hurdles, but has made more impact since sent handicapping, making the frame in all 3 starts. Steps up significantly in trip now and isn't discounted. 1 lb out of the weights.

Form: 060244

Result Amended

Picks Lad - Original Position 2nd. Amended Position 1st.

Sandalwood - Original Position 1st. Amended Position 2nd.

Non-Runners

Nickelsonthedime⁴⁸

Weight: 12-0| Age: 9

T: K Woollacott J: Ben Godfrey

Getupearly²²

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: P Hobbs & J White J: M G Nolan

Div Ine Tara²⁴

Weight: 10-2| Age: 8

T: F O'Brien J: C Brace

Imprevu Du Large⁴²

Weight: 10-2| Age: 5

T: P F Nicholls J: Tom Buckley

Forecasts

Dancingontheedge (5/2), Weaver's Answer (4/1), Pedley Wood (6/1), Looking For Larry (13/2), Picks Lad (9/1), Sandalwood (9/1), Champ Royal (12/1), Div Ine Tara (12/1), Imprevu Du Large (12/1), Safe Destination (14/1), Nickelsonthedime (14/1), Getupearly (16/1), Country Kitten (16/1), Mojito Royale (50/1)

PICKS LAD looks the type to do better in handicaps, particularly now granted a stiffer test of stamina, and can get off the mark over hurdles. Pedley Wood and Dancingontheedge head the list of dangers.