14:25 Taunton

Thursday 16 November 2023

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3316:05

Colin Crawley Mad As A Hatter Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 39.53s

Keep Running²⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: W Greatrex| OR: 117

13/2

French import who scored at Bangor for Harry Whittington last season. More miss than hit subsequently but worthy of a market switched to chasing by new stable on return.

Form: 6/16435-

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Surtitle²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 112

15/2

Fair winning handicap hurdler who shaped as if better for the run when third of 6 at Exeter 23 days ago, Should step forward on that and is likely to feature.

Form: 534-123

The Plimsoll Line²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 109

5/1

2m maiden winner who ran well when runner-up at Newton Abbot (18.5f) in May. Bit disappointing since but should strip fitter for latest outing at Wincanton. Has his first go at chasing.

Form: 2P5-2P6

Dr T J Eckleburg⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 108| C

14/1

Best effort over fences when winning 6-runner handicap chase at Worcester (16.5f, soft, 7/1) 48 days ago. Remains well treated on the pick of his hurdling efforts, so should go well again.

Form: 8-06731

Kingofthewest^b,p,t²⁰³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 106| C

8/1

Dual hurdles winner who, having dropped in the weights, looked back in form when third at this course 6 months ago. Step back up in trip will suit, so could get involved if he takes to chasing.

Form: 3735B3-

Heros¹⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 106

5/2

Bumper/hurdles winner in France in 2021. Bit disappointing over hurdles last season but swtiches to chasing with his stable in red-hot form and his mark looks appealing.

Form: 75225-4

Fame And Fun^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 104| C

15/2

Dual 19f hurdles scorer last season who signed off with a solid fifth of 13 in handicap at Taunton (19f, soft) in April. Pulled up on chasing debut at Kempton last month, however.

Form: 32215-P

Non Stop²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 110

9/2

Fair Flat winner at 1m who also scored twice at 2m over hurdles last season. Plenty of encouragement when fifth of 7 at Kempton on chasing debut recently and expected to improve.

Form: 13174-5

Non-Runners

Issar D'Airy¹⁸⁹

Weight: 11-9| Age: 5

T: G & J Moore J: J E Moore

Forecasts

Heros (5/2), Non Stop (9/2), The Plimsoll Line (5/1), Issar D'Airy (5/1), Keep Running (13/2), Fame And Fun (15/2), Surtitle (15/2), Kingofthewest (8/1), Dr T J Eckleburg (14/1)

NON STOP has the physique to make a better chaser than hurdler and he's likely to come on for his recent chasing debut at Kempton, so he gets the nod over last-time-out winner Dr T J Eckleburg. Heros deserves a mention reappearing for a stable that is flying.