15:18 Taunton

Thursday 11 April 2024

All13:3314:0814:4315:1815:5316:2817:0317:35

Quor Systems Paperless Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:18 | Winning time: 4m 10.84s

Fire Dancer²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 112

9/1

Made a winning start for this yard on the back of a lengthy absence at Ludlow in January 2023 but has looked one with problems since, possibly flattered by the run of the race when second at same course (16f, soft) 3 weeks ago. Winner that day has gone in again since, however.

Form: 1PF-652

Midnight Midge²³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 111| C

14/1

Hit the target 3 times last term (including twice here) but hasn't put his best foot forward in 4 starts so far this season (latest after 3 months off). Now 8 lb below last winning mark but looks vulnerable all the same.

Form: 31-6556

Breaking Cover^t⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 109| BF

7/1

Points runner-up who boasted a positive profile over hurdles, finishing third on handicap debut at Ludlow (15.7f) in November. Wasted what had looked a good opportunity on his chasing debut in a match contest at Southwell 3 months ago but it remains early days.

Form: 2/83-232

Western General^t1⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Tudor| T: J Tizzard| OR: 108

7/1

Made the frame first 3 starts over hurdles last term prior to landing the odds in an 18.5f Newton Abbot maiden. Hasn't shown much in a 3 runs so far this time round though (twice over fences, making mistakes) and a first-time tongue tie is now applied.

Form: 421-6P0

Calgary Tiger¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: James Best| T: W De Best-Turner| OR: 108| D

16/1

Left hurdles form well behind when winning first 2 starts over fences early last year. Pulled up in a strong Newbury Class 2 handicap on return, but he was a long way out of the weights and shaped much better despite finishing last back there from his correct mark recently. Not out of things.

Form: 5/113-P7

Harlem Soul²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: M G Nolan| T: S Hosie| OR: 105

28/1

Successful twice in Wincanton handicaps last season but not in the same form since, making no impact since returning to action in October. Significantly back down in trip but can only be watched.

Form: P-6436U

Limetree Boy^p³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 103| D

7/1

Winning hurdler who has shown glimmers of promise over fences and took a step back in the right direction in first-time cheekpieces when third at Stratford (17f, heavy) last month. Mark continues to tumble and he's not one to rule out.

Form: 6/35-593

Flash Gorcombe^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford| OR: 101| CD

10/3

Back-to-back winner last spring and looked better than ever when routing the opposition at Wincanton in January. Holding form admirably and notched up his second success of the campaign at Hereford (16f, soft) 15 days ago and he remains of interest despite a 7 lb rise.

Form: 321321

Barest Of Margins⁵⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 97| BF

15/2

Made an encouraging start to his chasing career, finishing runner-up on all 3 completed outings in handicaps when last seen in 2022. Has since left Mick Channon and this should reveal what ability remains after 19 months off.

Form: 33/2F22-

Mini Yeats^v1¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Sean Houlihan| T: M Hunt| OR: 88

13/2

Winless over hurdles but he made an encouraging start over fences when second over C&D last month (probably flattered by his proximity). Possibly amiss at Bangor 12 days later and now a first-time visor goes on.

Form: 54P52P

Tribesmans Glory¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 85

16/1

Fair winning chaser here for Tom George in 2020 and ran one of his better races in recent seasons back over fences when finishing a well-beaten second at Bangor (17.4f, heavy) 19 days ago. Task is to build on that.

Form: 3P3602

Non-Runners

Aviles²⁹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 5

T: G & J Moore J: Caoilin Quinn

Forecasts

Flash Gorcombe (10/3), Mini Yeats (13/2), Western General (7/1), Limetree Boy (7/1), Breaking Cover (7/1), Barest Of Margins (15/2), Fire Dancer (9/1), Aviles (12/1), Midnight Midge (14/1), Tribesmans Glory (16/1), Calgary Tiger (16/1), Harlem Soul (28/1)

Cases can be made for several so, at forecast longer odds, it could pay to side with CALGARY TIGER, who shaped an awful lot better than the bare result after 4 months off at Newbury recently and William de Best-Turner's front runner can take advantage of another drop in the weights. Flash Gorcombe is likely to be popular in his current mood, so he's put forward as the main threat, ahead of Breaking Cover and Limetree Boy.