Racecards
15:35 Taunton
'Vicarage Stakes' Maiden Hurdle (Div 2) (Class D )
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Good to Soft
- Form 4-00
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer B J Eckley
- Jockey M Nicolls
led, jumped badly right 1st, ridden and headed after 3 out, no extra
Allumee
71- Form 5500-42
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
chased leader, headway after 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, ridden and every chance last, switched right flat, ran on but not reached winner
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Mrs D Hamer
- Jockey R Stephens
held up in touch, ridden 6th, soon weakened
- Form 4P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
Kiev (IRE)
319- Form 605-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer D G Bridgwater
- Jockey C Rafter
hampered start, towards rear, lost touch 5th, tailed off
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
chased leader, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
Powra
16- Form 00
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer R J Hodges
- Jockey James Davies
went badly left and unseated rider
Salopian
28- Form 6
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer H D Daly
- Jockey M Bradburne
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 5
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey J Tizzard
held up in touch, headway from 6th, ridden and led approaching 2 out, hit last, switched left flat, ran on well
- Form 6/P
- Age 8
- Weight 10-9
held up towards rear, lost place 5th, tailed off
- Form 00
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer V R A Dartnall
- Jockey J Culloty
hampered start, held up in mid-division, ridden 3 out, ran on from last
Ma Yahab
21- Form 53
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey L Stephens
always behind, weakened 5th, tailed off
- Form 4
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer J G M O'Shea
- Jockey T Doyle
hampered start, held up in touch, weakened 6th, soon behind
In depth
Verdict
The second division of the maiden hurdle can go Allumee, who is selected ahead of Manolo, The Persuader, Ma Yahab and Tudor Bell. The selection's second to Olaso at Newbury last time absolutely stands out at this level and he looks the one to beat. The Ian Williams-trained Manolo is a French middle-distance winner and looks interesting, while the middle-distance/staying Flat winner The Persuader catches the eye as he is reappearing quickly after finishing fifth to the interesting Clear Thinking at Newbury on Saturday. The Charlie Mann-trained Fandani has something to like on breeding, while Gold For Me showed promise on his sole bumper outing but disappointed on his hurdling debut last time. He looks capable of better. Ma Yahab's third to Gift Voucher at Warwick last time rates as ok at this level too, so pay him some respect, and the 14-furlong Salisbury winner, Tudor Bell, looked to be taking a step in the right direction last time, and is another to consider. These look to be the principals then, with the vote going to Allumee.
Formwatch
Allumee 25-1 Held up mid-division, good headway on inner approaching 3 out, slight lead after 2 out, not quicken and headed after last, 2nd of 25, 3 1/2l behind Olaso at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Gold For Me (FR) 16-1 Chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 7th and pulled up at the last in race won by Racing Demon at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Jan, 17 ran.
Kiev (IRE) 13-2 Held up, headway halfway, ridden 4f out, one pace approaching final furlong, 5th of 14, 7l behind Lin d'Estruval at Lingfield 2m nhf (H) pol in Apr.
Manolo (FR) 4l behind Aspasie when 4th at Nancy 1m 4f stk gd in Oct, 10 ran (Flat).
The Persuader (IRE) 10-1 Held up, some headway approaching 4 out, never near leaders, 5th of 11, 25l behind Clear Thinking at Newbury 2m nov hdl (C) gs.
Ma Yahab 11-1 Held up, headway 5th, ridden and hung left from 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Gift Voucher at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) sft in Jan.
Tudor Bell (IRE) 9-2 Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4th, went badly left and mistake 3 out, hit 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 4th of 11, 15l behind Almah at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (E) sft in Jan.
Fandani (GER) Won three times on the Flat in Germany.