16:50 Wincanton

Saturday 17 February 2024

All13:3014:0514:3515:0715:4216:1716:50

Phil Harris Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 6m 3.21s

Hermes Boy^p⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 105

15/2

Winless since 2021 and he's hard to warm to judged on his exploits so far this season.

Form: P60-P67

Iddergem^p³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: Miss C Dyson| OR: 105

40/1

Has won selling events at Stratford and Southwell for Olly Murphy this winter but has more on his plate now handicapping for a new stable.

Form: 32-1221

Kit's Coty⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 105

9/2

Placed all 3 starts in Irish points (£60,000 purchase) and made it third time lucky in this sphere when landing a mares' maiden at Hereford (21.7f, soft) last month. Mark for this handicap debut looks fair and she's a must for the shortlist.

Form: 332-U41

Zonda^t⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 103

2/1

Boasts an appealing pedigree and has made the frame on each of his 3 starts, most recently when upped to 23.5f on first run in handicap company at Ascot (good) in December. This unexposed 6-y-o should have more to offer and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 344

Shuil Ceoil²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Miss Thomosina Eyston⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 102| BF

9/4

Confirmed earlier promise when winning 15-runner handicap hurdle at Exeter (21f, heavy) in December. Lost little caste in defeat at Fontwell since and it's not hard to envisage him playing a leading role.

Form: F73-U12

Paddy De Pole^p1³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 101

11/1

Winning Irish pointer who shaped as if better for the run when third in novice hurdle at Chepstow on his first start under Rules. Well held both subsequent starts but improvement could be forthcoming now equipped with cheekpieces on this handicap debut.

Form: 541-357

Ask Brewster⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 101| D

16/1

Won sole start in points and showed promise when fourth in a pair of maiden hurdles at Chepstow in November. However, failed to improve when pitched into handicap company at Taunton.

Form: 1-448

Non-Runners

Chauffeur Driven⁴⁷

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: D Pipe J: Gearoid Harney

Forecasts

Zonda (2/1), Shuil Ceoil (9/4), Kit's Coty (9/2), Chauffeur Driven (6/1), Hermes Boy (15/2), Paddy De Pole (11/1), Ask Brewster (16/1), Iddergem (40/1)

ZONDA and Kit's Coty are both armed with potential and the vote goes to the former, who shaped well when fourth on his handicap bow at Ascot. It's by no means a two-horse race, though, with Chauffeur Driven and Shuil Ceoil both accorded respect, while it'll be interesting to see how the Paul Nicholls-trained handicap debutant Paddy de Pole shapes up in the betting.