Racecards
14:15 Taunton
Staple Fitzpaine Maiden Hurdle (Class D)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
Amusement
451- Form 00/200-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer D G Bridgwater
- Jockey Xavier Aizpuru
in rear, stayed on from 3 out, not reach leaders
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
in rear, ridden from 3 out, no impression
- Form 6/0
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey A Thornton
raced keen, led 2nd, headed 3rd, led again 4th, weakened quickly approaching 5th, soon tailed off
- Form 2
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer L Wadham
- Jockey L P Aspell
raced keen tracking leaders, went 2nd 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra after last
- Form 50
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
mid-division to rear, weakening when fell 3 out
- Form 5
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out
- Form 54
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer H D Daly
- Jockey R Forristal
in touch until ridden and weakened from 3 out
Thesis (IRE)
16- Form 2
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey A P McCoy
tracked leaders, quickened lead 5th, mistake next, ridden after 3 out, joined approaching last, headed and no extra flat
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
led, headed 2nd, led again 3rd, headed next, weakened 4 out,
- Form 6
- Age 4
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey A Bateman
prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
- Age 4
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
held up mid-division, headway 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression
- Age 4
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
held up towards rear, steady headway 5th, challenged last, soon led, ridden clear
In depth
Verdict
Division two of the maiden hurdle sees Martin Pipe unleash an interesting newcomer in the shape of Well Chief, who showed nothing in three starts on the level in Germany. Running in the colours of David Johnson, he could easily leave that form well behind on his timber bow. Pipe also turns out Ishandraz, a winner in the French Provinces who failed to set the world alight on his debut here a month ago. Philip Hobbs has taken charge of the ex-Barry Hills inmate Night Driver who has shown little since winning at Lingfield in May. With Richard Johnson booked to ride, he makes more appeal than the stable's other runner Code Sign. Thesis was second to Desert Air here recently on only his second outing for Venetia Williams, and as he was capable of scoring at Sandown on the Flat, is one for the short-list along with Lucy Wadham's Distingo, an equally promising second at Huntingdon in November. There should not be too much in it but preference is for the former, with Tony McCoy booked to ride despite Pipe having two runners in the contest.