16:10 Taunton

Monday 11 March 2024

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 6m 30.63s

Lady Balko²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 100| CD

7/4

Improved since handicapping, winning by 14 lengths at Hereford before following up at this course shortly after (20 days ago). Leading claims in the hat-trick bid.

Form: 544211

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

San Fermin^t²⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Joe Ponting| OR: 100

50/1

Fair bumper winner who made most of good opportunity to open his account over hurdles for Olly Murphy in novice at Market Rasen (23f) back in June. Sold for just £1,500 thereafter though and others more appealing now handicapping/back from 8 months off.

Form: 32/44-41

Ithaka^t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: R Potter| OR: 99

50/1

Landed a gamble in a Wincanton handicap hurdle a year ago. There's been little to shout about since but his mark has come back down and he's worth keeping an eye on in the betting.

Form: 15-P0PP

Outside Adesa⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Cameron Iles⁽⁷⁾| T: M Hunt| OR: 99

16/1

Runner-up both outings in Irish points and has improved with each of his 3 starts over hurdles, not beaten far when fifth of 14 in 19f course novice last time, albeit in a steadily-run race. Upped in trip for handicap debut.

Form: 22-P65

Always Busy³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 98

11/2

Novice winner at Warwick last season but hasn't made much impact handicapping this term, albeit not disgraced when eighth of 16 (12/1) at this course last time. Back up in trip now.

Form: P-07558

Getupearly³²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 94| D

11/1

Ended the last campaign with a respectable effort in a handicap at Exeter 10 months ago but hasn't been since, so likely to need the run.

Form: 8520P6-

Hooky Street⁵²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Benjamin Poste| T: H Dickin| OR: 93

50/1

Modest hurdler who shaped as if in need of the run at Warwick when last seen 17 months ago. Up against it in the face of a long absence but handicapper has given him a chance at least.

Form: 344P5/7-

Known^t²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: David Noonan| T: Miss C Dyson| OR: 93

250/1

Still a maiden and offered nothing on first start since leaving Jonjo O'Neill at Wincanton 23 days ago. Hard to make any sort of case for.

Form: P07/UP-P

The Midwife³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 93| D

9/2

Point winner who showed improved form under Rules when striking on her 20.5f Market Rasen handicap debut 34 days ago. A 5 lb rise for that looks fair enough now stepping up in trip. Respected.

Form: 16-P591

Captain Marco³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Houlihan| T: M Hunt| OR: 93

28/1

Only a hint of ability in three starts to date and, while the longer trip could bring more out of him on handicap debut, a stronger case can be made for others.

Form: 858

Bert Wilson^t,v⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Buckley⁽³⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 92

25/1

Reacted well to a visor last season, winning handicap hurdles over this trip at Plumpton and Chepstow. Hard to predict though and one of his lesser efforts at Exeter 89 days ago.

Form: P14-P4P

Mollie Brown^t¹⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 90WS

20/1

Lightly-raced maiden who displayed minor promise on second start over hurdles when midfield in 13-runner mares' maiden at Chepstow last April. Pulled up on qualifying run at Wincanton in November but switch to handicaps a plus now following wind op. Market should guide. Tongue strap back on.

Form: 0047-P

Robinsville^t1⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁵⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 86WS

17/2

Pulled up in novice hurdle at Wincanton (24.7f, soft, 22/1) 59 days ago, but said to have breathing problem and has had wind operation since, so could get back on track returning to handicaps.

Form: 97-284P

Karakoram^p,t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Ben Jones| T: G Harris| OR: 84| CD

11/1

Won this last year. Mostly below form this season but mark has slipped as a result, so he's well treated if he can mount a revival.

Form: 736756

Non-Runners

Go On Ya Goodthing¹¹¹

Weight: 10-10| Age: 5

T: D Brace J: C Brace

Mister Upton¹⁰²

Weight: 10-7| Age: 5

T: C Gordon J: Nick Scholfield

Forecasts

Lady Balko (7/4), The Midwife (9/2), Always Busy (11/2), Robinsville (17/2), Karakoram (11/1), Getupearly (11/1), Outside Adesa (16/1), Mollie Brown (20/1), Bert Wilson (25/1), Captain Marco (28/1), Ithaka (50/1), Hooky Street (50/1), San Fermin (50/1), Go On Ya Goodthing (66/1), Mister Upton (66/1), Known (250/1)

LADY BALKO is going the right way and is fancied to defy a rise for her C&D success last month. The Midwife was quite impressive when scoring at Market Rasen on her latest outing, so she's regarded as the main threat ahead of handicap-debutant Outside Adesa.