Racecards
13:45 Taunton
Racing To School Novices' Hurdle (Div 1) (Class 4)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 1y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £7,900 added
- Winner: £5,133
- 2nd: £1,507
- 3rd: £754
- 4th: £377
- Form 3-1113
- Age 6
- Weight 12-2
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Lorcan Williams
led, joined last, headed and unable to quicken run-in, kept on for clear 2nd
- Form 12-33
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey S Bowen
tracked leaders on inside, 2nd 3 out, travelling well before next, challenged last, led run-in, edged right and kept on well
- Form P-160
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer K Woollacott
- Jockey James Best
held up in last trio, outpaced 3 out, plugged on into 3rd on long run before next, no chance with first two
- Form 69-PP
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Mark Gillard
- Jockey James Davies
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, ridden before 4 out, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up after 2 out
- Form 65-7
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer A J Honeyball
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
held up in last trio, mistake 6th, plugged on into modest 4th on long run before 2 out, never involved
- Form 1542/17-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer B Forsey
- Jockey David Noonan
chased leader, ridden and lost 2nd 3 out, weakened on long run before next, tailed off
- Form FP-07
- Age 7
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer Miss J Du Plessis
- Jockey Rex Dingle
raced keenly and wide in last trio, hung left and reminders in last place bend after 5th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
In depth
Verdict
It's a surprise to see SOUTHFIELD STONE back in this company after his superb run in the Grade 1 Tolworth at Sandown where he was beaten less than 4l. He'd easily won his three previous starts, a bumper and two novice hurdles, on this track and can hardly be opposed. The main threat should be provided by stable companion Dr Sanderson, a Carlise bumper winner and easy Worcester winner on his hurdling debut but disappointing at Hereford when last seen in November. Winning point-to-pointer Bold Plan has been finding the minimum trip too short and this should provide a stiffer test of stamina though he may find the ground too lively, a remark that also applies to The Ibbster, a dual winner between the flags.
Formwatch
Southfield Stone 6-1 (11-7) Chased winner, pushed along before 2 out, lost 2nd and no extra in 3rd before the last, 3rd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Elixir De Nutz (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Bold Plan (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Tracked winner, ridden and well held before last, lost 2nd place post, 3rd of 13, 10 1/4l behind Rouge Vif (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Caspers Court (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened before 6th, 11th of 18, dist behind Greaneteen (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Corsecombe 200-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Exeter 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Nocturnal Myth 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 4 out, no impression, 7th of 15, 35 1/4l behind Duke Of Kilcorral (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
The Ibbster (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leader until pushed along after 7th, chased leaders, weakened quickly before next, 7th of 10, 27 1/2l behind Master Work (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct.
Sea Present (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Prominent, took keen hold, under pressure after 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 8, dist behind Printing Dollars (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f mdn (5) gs in Jan.
Dr Sanderson (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Held up towards rear on outside, headway when jumped left 5th, ridden after 2 out, 3rd and weakening before last, 4th of 13, 22 1/2l behind Star Of Lanka (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Royal Reef (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Chased front pair to before 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out, at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gd in Jan.