Racecards
13:50 Taunton
Mendip Hills Novices' Chase (Class D)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
- Form 232213
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey A O'keeffe
tracked leader, led 11th until next, ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace
- Form 222P4U
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer M Scudamore
- Jockey T Scudamore
led, hit 9th, headed 11th, led next, hit 4 out, soon ridden and headed, kept on same pace
Bak To Bill
21- Form 234-4U5
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs S Gardner
- Jockey Lucy Gardner
held up in touch, headway 12th, hit next, pressed winner from 3 out, every chance when blundererd and unseated rider last
- Form 0F350-2
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
chased leaders, ridden after 11th, led after 4 out, hard ridden and edged right approaching last, left clear, ridden out
- Form 020-060
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs L Richards
- Jockey P Hide
in touch until 11th, soon behind, pulled up before 12th
In depth
Verdict
A small field goes to post for this novices chase and the principals look to be Guard Duty, Pharpost and Three Eagles and the confident vote goes to Guard Duty. The gelding from the Martin Pipe yard was a good second on his debut in this sphere behind the highly regarded Murphy's Cardinal and if he can reproduce that effort he will be hard beat. Pharpost rates the main danger. He has had plenty of experience over fences but may struggle to give weight and a beating to some less exposed rivals. Three Eagles could also go well as he is a bold jumping front-runner, but may not get his own way in front today and for that reason he is opposed. Back To Bill needs to improve significantly for the switch to fences to trouble the judge while New Leader looks outclassed, so the confident vote goes to Guard Duty.