15:15 Taunton

Thursday 29 February 2024

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Blackdown Motor Company Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 5m 4.10s

Jackpot D'athou⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| BF

6/5

Fairly useful form in bumpers. Underwent breathing surgery before making a winning hurdles debut at Chepstow in November but only fourth in similar company there following month. Remains with potential after a break for top yard which has taken past 3 runnings of this.

Form: 232-14

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Livin On Luco^p1³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 122| D

10/11

Runner-up in an Irish point and quick to show fairly useful form in this sphere, landing 10-runner novice hurdle at Chepstow (19.4f, heavy) 36 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Leading claims.

Form: 42-2F1

Joker Jack³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Claire Hitch

125/1

200/1, fifth of 11 in novice hurdle at Hereford (16.2f, good to soft) 31 days ago, not knocked about. May do better still.

Form: 5P5

Tigger³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex

28/1

Some promise in bumpers for Fergal O'Brien and again on the back of a wind op when fifth of 10 in novice hurdle at Plumpton (20.5f, soft) 38 days ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: 65-05

Barley Gin²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland

100/1

Too free when eleventh of 14 in bumper at Wincanton (15.2f, soft, 80/1) on NH debut 28 days ago. Makes hurdles debut stepped up in trip so this Flemensfirth mare needs considering, especially if the market speaks in her favour.

Form: 0

Love Of Neymore²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: R L Llewellyn

200/1

Little show in bumpers for Martin Keighley and again after a 22-month absence when pulled up in novice hurdle (250/1) at Wincanton (21.4f, soft) 28 days ago.

Form: 89/P

Miss Popalong³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White

200/1

Tailed off sole outing in bumpers and has offered little in a pair of novice hurdles at Taunton and Warwick this winter.

Form: 08P

Mistral Milly^h³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle

11/2

Showed some promise in two bumpers for Alan King and again when coming in fourth in novice hurdles at Hereford and Lingfield (hooded) this winter. Can do better still.

Form: 48-44

Forecasts

Livin On Luco (10/11), Jackpot D'athou (6/5), Mistral Milly (11/2), Tigger (28/1), Barley Gin (100/1), Joker Jack (125/1), Love Of Neymore (200/1), Miss Popalong (200/1)

LIVIN ON LUCO possesses the best form on show so is taken to supplement his Chepstow victory at the chief expense of Jackpot d'Athou, who rates a major threat if getting back on the up after a break for a stable which has farmed this contest in recent years. Hurdling newcomer Barley Gin can't be ruled out either, especially if the market vibes are positive for Neil Mullholland's mare.