Racecards
15:20 Taunton
Orchard Restaurant Handicap Chase (Class D )
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Soft
- Form 244153
- Age 10
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
in touch until blundered and unseated rider 8th
Yann's (FR)
250- Form 12/366-4
- Age 9
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer R T Phillips
- Jockey R Johnson
held up towards rear, headway 5th, led 9th, clear 2 out, comfortably
- Form 00U1/5P
- Age 11
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer R N Bevis
- Jockey Antony Evans
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 10th
- Form F-1P110
- Age 9
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Christian Williams
mistake and rider lost iron 1st, never going well and always behind, pulled up before 3 out
- Form 32-423F
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer S C Burrough
- Jockey A P McCoy
chased leaders, hit 6th and 10th, pressed winner from next, soon ridden, kept on same pace
- Form 22-143U
- Age 13
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer J R Payne
- Jockey T Scudamore
held up, headway approaching 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace after
Con Tricks
12- Form 32/1F1-P
- Age 12
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey J Tizzard
chased leaders, reminders after 5th, lost touch from 8th, pulled up before 10th
- Form 32/P431
- Age 11
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 96
- Trainer Mrs H Dalton
- Jockey A O'keeffe
led until 9th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
- Form 55-4041
- Age 7
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 91
- Trainer Miss A M Newton-Smith
- Jockey C Bolger
in touch, headway after 9th, chased winner approaching 2 out, second and held when jumped left at last
- Form 535303
- Age 9
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 87
- Trainer D Burchell
- Jockey W T Kennedy
always towards rear
Big Max
7- Form 25P-4U6
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer Karen George
- Jockey S Durack
in touch, ridden and weakening when mistake 10th
- Form 660-P50
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer B J M Ryall
- Jockey P Flynn
chased leaders, mistakes 1st and 2nd, weakened after 9th, pulled up before 3 out
In depth
Verdict
This is a real puzzle of a contest and Fearless Mel is just preferred to Even More and Jollyshau. Heather Dalton's eleven-year-old comes here in great heart having landed a similar event over course and distance last time. He was aided by the fall late on of his nearest rival, but nevertheless the opposition was of the same quality as today's and a big run can be expected. Jollyshau had the selection back in third when winning at Huntingdon last time. There is little change in the weights but Fearless Mel appeared to improve next time should be up to reversing the form. Even more has to shoulder top-weight and although well beaten on his last two outings, he is capable of going close on his best form. Yann's and Mr Nemo could prove best of the remainder, but on this occasion Fearless Mel looks the pick of the handicap and gets the vote