16:35 Wincanton

Saturday 15 February 2025

All13:0313:3614:1514:5015:2516:0016:35

Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 6m 51.9s

Copshill Lad^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 109

7/1

Justified support after 9 months off when scoring on yard debut at Stratford in October. Creditable fifth on both outings since but it underlines that he needs more from this mark.

Form: 22P-155

Thruthelookinglass⁶⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 107

28/1

Fair form over hurdles but absent since finishing 11 lengths third on 21f Ludlow handicap debut in April 2023. Market perhaps the best guide to expectations.

Form: 82U53/

Patanita⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Lorcan Williams| T: G Nicholls| OR: 105

11/1

Bumper winner in spring 2022 but seen only 4 times over hurdles since. No impact in 2 Ascot handicaps this season, although he did step up on his reappearance when seventh of 13 just before Christmas. Tackles 3m for the first time now.

Form: 1U/34-97

Time In The Sun^p1⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly| OR: 104

7/1

Fair maiden hurdler who shrugged off a disappointing reappearance when 7 lengths third in 2½m course handicap in December. The way she finished her race on that occasion suggests this return to 3m will suit. Also wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 02F4-P3

Briefly^t1¹⁸⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Chad Bament⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 103

5/1

Steadily progressive in bumpers and is following a similar path over hurdles, coming good in 19.5f Bangor maiden at the end of June. Third of 10 in 2½m Worcester novice in August. Steps up in trip now handicapping after 6 months off. Also tongue tied first time.

Form: 23-3213

Western Harmony^p1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Ben Sutton⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 102

16/1

Point winner. Hasn't bettered modest form when third on both completed starts in novice hurdles but certainly no surprise were he to take a step forward in handicaps. Fitted with first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 144-U33

Badbury Rings²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 101| BF

15/8

Lightly-raced sort who made a positive start to his handicap hurdle career when third then second over 3m at Taunton in recent months. Pulled 12 lengths clear of the third last time and could still be well treated even after a 5 lb rise. Leading claims.

Form: 360632

Can't Say⁴⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Ffrench-Davis⁽⁵⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 100

20/1

Suited by the longer trip when showing much improved form to win 3m Ffos Las handicap in May. Well-held fifth at Exeter on New Year's Day but he may have needed the outing after 8 months off.

Form: 5537-15

Talkingtothemoon^b1,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Ben Godfrey| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 88

5/1

Lightly-raced maiden sort who showed he retains ability after 22 months off when fourth of 14 in 3m Taunton handicap 4 weeks ago, although the reopposing Badbury Rings was 12½ lengths ahead in second. Has first-time blinkers added to the tongue tie he wore last time.

Form: 13658/4

Non-Runners

Jakar Du Moulin⁵⁸

Weight: 11-13| Age: 6

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Badbury Rings (15/8), Briefly (5/1), Jakar Du Moulin (5/1), Talkingtothemoon (5/1), Copshill Lad (7/1), Time In The Sun (7/1), Patanita (11/1), Western Harmony (16/1), Can't Say (20/1), Thruthelookinglass (28/1)

BADBURY RINGS likely has more to offer and can go one better than at Taunton last month. Western Harmony and Briefly are possible improvers in handicaps for good stables and may give Neil Mulholland's charge most to do.