15:28 Wincanton

Thursday 17 October 2024

All13:4314:1814:5315:2816:0316:4017:15

Fitzdares Telephone Betting Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 15:28 | Winning time: 5m 9.6s

Shantou Express¹⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Nathan Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 112| DWS

5/1

Bagged a small-field Stratford handicap (26.4f, good) last season but hasn't fired since. Has had a breathing operation since last seen and reappears with his yard amongst the winners.

Form: 68976-P

Stay If U Want To^h¹³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: K Brogan| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 110| BF

7/2

Fairly useful bumper winner who opened his account over hurdles with something to spare in 10-runner maiden at Hereford (16.2f) in May. Ran to a similar level when second under a penalty at Stratford and needs a bit more now tackling handicap company for the first time.

Form: 8122-12

Pop The Champagne^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 107

10/1

Produced a laboured effort on the Flat at Newcastle last month but she's generally reliable over hurdles.

Form: 245-233

Tout Sur Moi^t²²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 106

14/1

Showed promise in bumpers and has done likewise in a trio of maiden hurdles, including when third of 13 at Taunton (16.5f) on final outing. Will be suited by this step up in trip on handicap debut and of major interest.

Form: 4/0673-

Far Sight^t¹⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 103| BF

5/2

Bumper winner who showed promise over hurdles for previous trainer and stepped up on reappearance/first start for current yard when second in 7-runner handicap at Huntingdon (20.7f) in May. That form has worked out well and he must enter calculations.

Form: 3763/4-2

Fame And Fun^t⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 100| C

16/1

Won a Plumpton handicap chase in March but patchy record over fences since. His mark has edged back down as a result and possibilities if a return to hurdles sparks a revival.

Form: 13-7PU4

Just Sophie^p¹⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: James Davies| T: Noel Williams| OR: 98

33/1

Won 19.5f Huntingdon novice hurdle in March 2023 and standout effort last season was when fourth of 7 at Market Rasen (23.1f, soft) in November. Probably needed the run in first-time cheekpieces at Warwick in May but has been off since.

Form: 4/334P-0

Express Surprise^t¹³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: R Patrick| T: C Boultbee-Brooks| OR: 89

7/2

Ran much better than on his handicap debut fitted with a first-time tongue strap when second in 10-runner event at Stratford (22f, good) in June. Sure to be in the thick of the action once again if resuming from a break in similar form.

Form: 55U37-2

Non-Runners

Sam's Amour⁷

Weight: 11-13| Age: 7

T: Kieran Burke J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

Far Sight (5/2), Stay If U Want To (7/2), Express Surprise (7/2), Sam's Amour (4/1), Shantou Express (5/1), Pop The Champagne (10/1), Tout Sur Moi (14/1), Fame And Fun (16/1), Just Sophie (33/1)

TOUT SUR MOI shaped with plenty of encouragement in a trio of maiden hurdles last season and, with this step up in trip sure to suit, he's of major interest on his handicap debut. Far Sight ran well in a race that has worked out at Huntingdon when last seen in May and remains unexposed for his current yard, while Sam's Amour needs respecting under a penalty for last week's Exeter success.