20:10 Taunton

Wednesday 24 April 2024

All16:4217:1517:5018:2519:0019:3520:10

C & D Southwest Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 20:10 | Winning time: 4m 2.19s

John Betjeman^b⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Fergus Gillard| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 104| D

7/2

Likeable type who has steadily eased in the weights and ran well having forced a sound gallop when third at Fontwell (17.7f) 5 days ago, no extra run-in but clear of the remainder. Should give another good account at this shorter trip.

Form: 385733

Winterwatch^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 103| D

7/2

Three-time winner on the Flat and running with holding his form in handicaps in this sphere in recent months, weakening before the last when third over 19f here 4 weeks ago. Possibilities down in grade.

Form: 2-54353

Gerard Mentor^p,t¹⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 103| DWS

33/1

Three of his 4 career victories have come right handed and he ran well when runner-up at Exeter/Hereford in the autumn. Absent since running below best at first-named venue in November but he has undergone wind surgery ahead of this and cheekpieces now replace blinkers.

Form: 852269

Pak Army^p,t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: Daisy Hitchins| OR: 103| D

50/1

Completed a four-timer from the front (second leg on Flat) when seeing off 6 rivals at Stratford (16.3f) in June. However, failed to complete both starts since returning for new stable this spring. Can only be watched.

Form: 1-11PPP

Phoenix Risen^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 101| CD

9/2

Got his act together since the cheekpieces went on, scoring twice over C&D last spring (including this race). Placed twice thereafter and went with plenty of zest for a long way on return from 8 months off at Newbury (16.3f) 33 days ago. Better expected here.

Form: 11-23F0

Eagle Of The Glen⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: M G Nolan| T: C J Gray| OR: 100| D

40/1

Improved when landing a Hexham junior novice on final start of last season and picked up where he left off with a winning reappearance in a Huntingdon novice in October. Never figured in 3 handicaps thereafter and he's since left Stuart Edmunds.

Form: 31-108P

Ruler Legend¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: K Brogan| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 98| D

18/1

Useful winner at 10f on flat who justified cramped odds to make a winning handicap debut in this sphere at Huntingdon (15.8f) in March. Seemed anchored by a 7 lb rise when seventh of 15 at Market Rasen (16.6f) 2 weeks ago, however.

Form: 47017

Earth Cry^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 97| D

13/2

Won both outings in bumpers and encouragement when fourth at Ludlow on first of his 2 starts over hurdles last season. Not scaled same heights in 2 starts upon joining present yard but far too soon to be writing him off and return to forecast quicker ground here a plus.

Form: 1/145-52

Always Force It^h,t1²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Godfrey| T: H Brown| OR: 94

125/1

Modest form at best over hurdles but shaped well in pair of handicaps at Navan/Downpatrick last summer for Gavin Cromwell. 40/1 offered little on stable debut in a Fontwell maiden (19.2f) in March (first start for 6 months) and this should reveal more. Tongue tie added.

Form: 000-55P

Knot On Time^h⁷⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: A Wintle| OR: 93

100/1

Fair ex-Irish hurdler/chaser for Paul Nolan who was well held back over hurdles following a monster absence at Warwick in November. Fell/pulled up both outings subsequently and he's tough to assess at present.

Form: 123/0FP

Jolyjump⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 92

18/1

Kapgarde gelding who looked a shade on the weak side and offered only a modicum of promise in a trio of novice hurdle runs during the winter. In good hands though and market confidence now handicapping/back from 3 months off would look significant.

Form: 78P

Taritino^h¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: J Tickle| OR: 100

12/1

Fair on Flat (stays 1¼m) for Amy Murphy and showed an aptitude for hurdling, his latest C&D fourth in maiden company his best effort yet. Not disgraced back on the Flat at Bath (10f, heavy) latest and less testing ground promises to suit now handicapping with Cobden an eye-catching booking.

Form: 444

Universal Secret⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 92

18/1

Dual winner at Wincanton early on last year who has largely been struggling for form this season, pulled up on his penultimate run prior to falling 48 days ago (too far out to suggest outcome). Others that bit more persuasive on balance.

Form: 7-P56PF

Glorious Lion^t³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 99

13/2

Fair maiden on the Flat for James Ferguson and definite encouragement on 2 of his last 3 starts in juvenile hurdles. Probably best to forgive him his latest Haydock run and switch to this sounder surface promises to be in his favour now handicapping.

Form: F4325

Eventful^p³³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: J & S Best| OR: 90| D

33/1

Took well to refitted blinkers/back from 5 months off when doubling his tally at Southwell in November 2022. Struggled to make an impact in trio of starts thereafter and the betting may prove a useful guide returning from 11 months off.

Form: 7/6105-9

Rock On Tommy^t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 88| D

33/1

Two-time 2m scorer at Uttoxeter last July but comes here out of sorts, well held following 4 months off when thirteenth of 15 in handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (16.6f, good to soft) 14 days ago.

Form: 128P00

Forecasts

John Betjeman (7/2), Winterwatch (7/2), Phoenix Risen (9/2), Earth Cry (13/2), Glorious Lion (13/2), Taritino (12/1), Jolyjump (18/1), Universal Secret (18/1), Ruler Legend (18/1), Eventful (33/1), Gerard Mentor (33/1), Rock On Tommy (33/1), Eagle Of The Glen (40/1), Pak Army (50/1), Knot On Time (100/1), Always Force It (125/1)

One of just two 4-y-o's in this line-up, GLORIOUS LION has offered plenty to work on in juvenile hurdles and, with the switch to a much sounder surface rating a definite plus now his sights are set on handicaps, Harry Denham's charge is fancied to be seen in an even better light. Winterwatch is shaping up well and is feared along with last year's winner Phoenix Risen.