12:20 Wincanton

Thursday 23 November 2023

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

Somerset 'Hands And Heels' Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Conditionals & Amateurs)

Off time: 12:20 | Winning time: 3m 47.44s

Him Malaya^t²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Olive Nicholls| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 104

7/2

Improved effort for his top yard when runner-up on 2m Ludlow handicap debut in May but didn't jump well enough at Warwick next time. Shaped as if needing the run on recent return over C&D and he appeals as the type to do better still this season.

Form: 3P3-235

Double Click¹⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: William Featherstone⁽³⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 103| CD

5/1

Unplaced in Irish points but promising start under Rules, supplementing his C&D maiden success on handicap debut at Ffos Las (15,8f, soft) in May. Produced a laboured effort under less testing conditions at Warwick later that month and he's one to look out for on return.

Form: 5531-13

R S Ambush⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Gearoid Harney| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 102

9/2

Fell sole start in points but offered something to work on in a couple of spins in maiden hurdles in Ireland this summer. Took a step forward on first start for this yard when runner-up in novice at Worcester (16f, soft) 6 weeks ago and fancied to have more to offer now handicapping.

Form: 462

Angel's Dream¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Weaver⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 100

16/1

Debut 13f Flat winner in France. Took a big step forward for current yard when cosily landing 2m novice hurdle at Plumpton in May but shaped as if better for the run on return/handicap debut at Kempton (16f, good to soft) 10 days ago. Others look stronger, nonetheless.

Form: 133-18

Hunters Song^p1,t1²²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Isabelle Ryder⁽³⁾| T: G Brown| OR: 98

12/1

Shown bits and pieces of form in Ireland and better than bare result when sixth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Chepstow (19.4f, good to soft) on debut for new yard back in April, ending up with far too much to do under this inexperienced conditional. Cheekpieces/tongue tie applied.

Form: 5002U6-

Tidal Storm¹⁹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Rupert Wilks⁽⁵⁾| T: Harry Derham| OR: 96

3/1

Fair handicapper on Flat who made an encouraging start over timber when third of 14 at Taunton (16.5f) last December. Hasn't kicked on both starts in this sphere since (latest on yard debut) but fancied to have more of a say now handicapping for a yard going great guns.

Form: 30-7

Miss Marette^h¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Callum Pritchard⁽³⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 87

18/1

Was entering 'longstanding maiden' territory prior to belatedly opening her account back from 12 months off at Exeter (novice) in October. Failed badly to back up that form returned to a big-field handicap there a month later and it's easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 7U74-10

Escobedo⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Lily Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: S Kirk| OR: 85

7/1

Belatedly off the mark over hurdles on final start for Milton Harris at Sedgefield in October (sold for 3,500 gns) and offered something to work on back on the Flat when fourth at Wolverhampton (8.6f) 5 days ago, nearest at the finish having been left poorly placed. Can feature back hurdling.

Form: 67-4261

Daany^h¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Miss Ella Herbison⁽⁵⁾| T: J Tickle| OR: 68

28/1

Modest 1m winner on Flat who probably remained in form but showed his irresolute side once more when a well-beaten sixth at Exeter (16.7f, soft) just under 2 weeks ago, carrying head awkwardly/hanging left. Will need to take a step forward on previous exploits in this sphere to feature.

Form: 8P60-P6

Non-Runners

Ballymagee²⁵

Weight: 10-10| Age: 7

T: R L Llewellyn J: Sean Clarke

Forecasts

Tidal Storm (3/1), Him Malaya (7/2), R S Ambush (9/2), Double Click (5/1), Escobedo (7/1), Ballymagee (10/1), Hunters Song (12/1), Angel's Dream (16/1), Miss Marette (18/1), Daany (28/1)

This can go the way of R S AMBUSH, who took a significant step forward when runner-up on first start for Dr Richard Newland at Worcester 6 weeks ago and with further improvement anticipated now handicapping, he can go a place better at the expense of Him Malaya, who could well leave his reappearance effort behind for Paul Nicholls. Escobedo and Tidal Storm can fight out third spot.