14:05 Taunton

Tuesday 18 February 2025

All14:0514:3515:0515:3516:1016:45

South West Rail Solutions Ltd Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 5m 2.10s

Mahler Moon^t⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 100WS

8/1

Placed on couple of occasions over hurdles for Dan Skelton and encouraging start on chase debut for new yard when third at Southwell (20.4f, good) in October. Jumping proved his downfall when well held next time (since undergone another round of wind surgery) but one to consider back hurdling.

Form: 2P-3534

Ask Me Another⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 98| BF

13/8

Improved when opening her account in 8-runner juvenile hurdle at Hereford (16.2f, soft) last spring. Solid second on return/handicap debut upped to 20.7f at Huntingdon where she pulled well clear of the third. Open to improvement.

Form: 5631-2

Holeshot⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 98

5/2

Winless following 5 runs between the flags but has made the frame on 2 of his 3 starts under Rules and latest handicap debut fifth at Lingfield (2m, soft) was no backward step. Now 2 lb lower and this stiffer test could be right up his street.

Form: 42F-425

Don't Tell Rosie^h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryan Carver| T: J Scott| OR: 96

5/1

Shaped as though starting to get the hang of things when fourth in an 11-runner Taunton novice (16.5f, soft) a fortnight ago. Wasn't knocked about that day and she appeals as the type to raise her game now upped in trip for this handicap debut.

Form: 564

Lady Showtime²¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 93

18/1

Lightly-raced maiden who wasn't discredited when fourth of 10 in novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (15.8f, soft) when last seen in July. Moving back up in trip for this handicap debut may well work in her favour but others are preferred all the same.

Form: 7-6634

Torre Del Oro⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 93

20/1

Formerly fairly useful at up to 1½m for Andrew Balding on the Flat but will need to leave form of his 3 previous runs over hurdles a long way behind if he's to make an impact now handicapping.

Form: 76U

Yorgunnabeplucky^p1⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 91

18/1

Placed on second of 2 starts in Irish points but never dangerous in a bumper and it's all been pretty low-key over hurdles so far. Big step forward needed now pitched into a handicap with cheekpieces enlisted.

Form: 5057

Stage Show^t1¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: G Sheehan| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 78

10/1

Fair maiden on the Flat and more like it over hurdles with a brace of fourth-place finishes in handicaps around 17f in the autumn. However, form has subsequently dipped and needs to get back on track now fitted with a first-time tongue strap.

Form: 644607

Forecasts

Ask Me Another (13/8), Holeshot (5/2), Don't Tell Rosie (5/1), Mahler Moon (8/1), Stage Show (10/1), Yorgunnabeplucky (18/1), Lady Showtime (18/1), Torre Del Oro (20/1)

The two 5-y-o mares, ASK ME ANOTHER and Don't Tell Rosie, appear to possess the greatest potential and could be the pair to concentrate on. The latter appears to have been gradually brought along with handicaps very much in mind and she is of strong interest now pitched into one off what looks a fair opening mark. However, she may find Ask Me Another too hot to handle following that rival's good reappearance/handicap debut second at Huntingdon. Holeshot is best of the rest.