14:40 Taunton

Thursday 12 December 2024

All12:3513:0513:3514:0514:4015:1515:50

Classic Collection Holidays Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 39.37s

Choccabloc²³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 128

3/1

Bumper winner who made a bright start over hurdles last winter, off the mark at Ludlow (21.2f) in November. Not disgraced when fifth in Cheltenham Grade 2 next time and back on the up when second of 6 in Ayr novice (20.5f) in April. Interesting now handicapping on return.

Form: 2/12152-

Wilful¹¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125| D

4/1

Progressive winner in bumpers and similar story over hurdles, completing hat-trick of novice victories with fair bit in hand in 8-runner contest at Worcester (20f) in August. Further progress distinctly possible now handicapping after 4 months off and he needs considering.

Form: 1221-11

Ilanz¹⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 123| CD

7/1

Bumper/3-time hurdle scorer who has posted solid efforts on 2 of his 3 starts since joining Olly Murphy, finishing third in race that worked out well at Market Rasen (20.6f) when last seen in July. Capable of exploiting this sort of mark this winter and yard continue in good order.

Form: 3/16-283

Kamaxos^h²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Lily Pinchin| T: R A Teal| OR: 123

18/1

Made light of a long absence to comfortably see off 6 rivals in 2m Sandown handicap hurdle in February. Decent efforts in defeat next 2 starts and found to have bled on return/chase debut at Warwick (16.2f) 3 weeks ago. Sort to bounce back.

Form: 12/143-P

Latin Verse¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁷⁾| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 120

17/2

Won twice over hurdles last season and returned to that sort of form with usual cheekpieces left off when second of 9 in handicap hurdle (11/2) at Huntingdon (15.8f, soft) 19 days ago, pulling clear of the remainder. Longer trip worth exploring.

Form: 1P2-672

Paso Doble^p¹⁰⁹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 120| C

50/1

Fairly useful Flat winner who quickly reached a similar level in this sphere, gaining his second victory as a novice here (16.5f) 3 years ago. Things can't have been plain sailing to have been absent since but significant his leading yard have persisted with him. Interesting.

Form: 31621/

Liverpool Knight²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 119

14/1

3-time winner over hurdles for Olly Murphy during 2023 who showed benefit of a recent debut for new yard aided with the run of things when second of 4 in handicap hurdle at Wetherby (19.7f) 26 days ago. Likely to give another good account.

Form: 644382

Getalead^p,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Gearoid Harney⁽⁷⁾| T: K Pickard| OR: 118| D

10/3

Returned from 6 months off in fine form, benefiting from return to calmer waters when making it 3 wins from last 4 starts at Wincanton (19.8f) 21 days ago. 4 lb rise should see him competitive again but he needs to keep the errors at bay.

Form: 4-P1181

Him Malaya^t⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Miss Olive Nicholls⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 107

10/1

Fair performer who posted good placed efforts over hurdles at Kempton/Ludlow in the spring. Never figured sent chasing at Newton Abbot (21f) in June and below best when sixth of 9 to Getalead in handicap hurdle at Wincanton (15.2f) 46 days ago. Back up in trip.

Form: 3P3-3P6

Forecasts

Choccabloc (3/1), Getalead (10/3), Wilful (4/1), Ilanz (7/1), Latin Verse (17/2), Him Malaya (10/1), Liverpool Knight (14/1), Kamaxos (18/1), Paso Doble (50/1)

CHOCCABLOC resumed progress when chasing home a more seasoned novice at Ayr on his final start back in the spring and, appealing as the type to go forward again this term, he could be the answer on handicap debut. Paso Doble is an intriguing contender returning from 3 years off and confidence behind him in the betting would look significant. Improving 5-y-o Wilful and thriving 8-y-o Getalead complete the shortlist.