Racecards
15:50 Taunton
At The Races Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £9,000 added
- Form 16529F
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer L Corcoran
- Jockey D A Jacob
led, mistake 3 out, ridden, headed before next, kept on same pace
- Form 3F31
- Age 4
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer Tim Vaughan
- Jockey S Durack
held up, hit 5th, headway next, led when blundered 2 out, soon in command, easily
- Form 37125
- Age 4
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up, ridden, some progress after 3 out, not pace to get on terms, weakened last
- Form 13
- Age 4
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Donal Fahy
tracked leader until 4th, remained close up until weakened 3 out
Archie Gunn
22- Form P52F04
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer R J Hodges
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th until 6th, soon ridden, one pace from 3 out
- Form 79-785
- Age 5
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 100
held up, ridden after 5th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
In depth
Verdict
SKI SUNDAY won with a bit in hand at Hereford on Sunday and is taken to follow up under his 7lb penalty today. R De Rien Sivola will be a big threat, while Sydney Sling is adapting well to the jumping game and is entitled to respect. A form line through Stow brings him close to the selection and it will be an intriguing encounter between them. R De Rien Sivola was found wanting when taking on his elders last time out and it would be harsh to write the four-year-old off on that evidence. However, his limitations were exposed and he now has a bit to prove. Therefore, it can pay to take a chance that the quick reappearance will be profitable for Ski Sunday. Tim Vaughan's charge won at Hereford despite failing to settle until the closing stages. But he rallied strongly when he came towards the finish and created the impression he is at the top of his game just now. He is not festival material, so this could be Ski Sunday's day in the sun.
Formwatch
Nothing Is Forever (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden when fell 2 out in race won by Dancewiththedevil (10-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Ski Sunday 22-1 (11-0) Keen, in touch, ridden to lead last, ran on, won at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (5) sft beating Nice Style (11-0) by 6l, 11 ran.
R De Rien Sivola (FR) 4-5fav (9-12) Tracked leaders, led 7th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, 3rd and beaten when mistake last, faded, 5th of 7, 15l behind Theatre Diva (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Sydney Sling (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) In touch, went 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, weakened, 3rd of 14, 17l behind Stow (10-9) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Archie Gunn 10-1 (10-9) In touch, lost place 5th, ridden and headway on inside approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 5l behind Red Admiral (11-8) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Hungry For More 100-1 (11-4) Held up, effort after 3 out, never on terms with leaders, 5th of 12, 29l behind Den of Iniquity (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.