Racecards
14:10 Taunton
Weatherbys Portman Cup Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 3m 4f 85y
- Going: Soft (Heavy in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £18,500 added
- Winner: £11,710
- 2nd: £3,460
- 3rd: £1,730
- 4th: £866
Al Roc (FR)
203- Form 02-8612
- Age 10
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 158
- Trainer Dr R D P Newland
- Jockey Lee Edwards
jumped left, held up off the pace in last, went left 10th, gained a place at 14th, outpaced and struggling next, tailed off
- Form 1/15-123
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer H Fry
- Jockey James Bowen
bit wide, chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until 5th, hit 11th, 2nd again hit 13th, led 4 out, pushed along and joined 3 out, strongly pressed and headed between last 2, well held last, weakened run-in
- Form 6FP/722-
- Age 11
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey T J O'Brien
wore hood to post, chased winner until 3rd, 2nd again 5th until chased leading pair, one pace and no impression before 3 out
- Form 20PP/5-P
- Age 12
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey Harry Kimber
kept wide, chased leaders in 4th, pushed along and outpaced 15th, no chance after, tailed off
- Form FF0-132
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer N J Gifford
- Jockey James Davies
never travelled in last pair, mistake and dropped to last 14th, tailed off 17th, pulled up before next
- Form 313-2F3
- Age 11
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 161
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Bryony Frost
brushed 1st, led and raced with plenty of enthusiasm, blundered and headed 4 out, chased leader and rallied 3 out, challenged next, led between last 2, in command last, driven clear run-in
- Form 4PP-432
- Age 10
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer Tim Vaughan
- Jockey Charlie Price
NonRunner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
YALA ENKI is clear of these at the weights and beat Rock The Kasbah over five lengths when landing last year’s renewal. Paul Nicholls’ charge arrives on the back of a decent third in the Welsh Grand National and looks the one to beat once again. A winner at the highest level over hurdles, If The Cap Fits could only manage third in the Kauto Star over fences at Kempton on Boxing Day but should stay this longer trip while The Mighty Don ran well at Cheltenham last month but has plenty to find on these terms. An import from France, Al Roc has won a Listed chase and would figure if running anywhere near his allocated mark on his debut for new connections.
Formwatch
Al Roc (FR) (10-5) 2nd of 10, 1l behind Roxinela (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 6f sft in Jul.
If The Cap Fits (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Never travelled in rear, reminders after 7th, still last and plenty to do 4 out, stayed on from after 2 out, went modest 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 7 1/2l behind Shan Blue (11-7) at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Rock The Kasbah (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Hit 1st, chased leading pair, went 2nd after 14th until 4 out, ridden and well held before next, went 2nd again at the last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 5 1/2l behind Yala Enki (11-0) at Taunton 3m 4f (2) hvy in Jan.
Sizing Codelco (IRE) 40-1 (11-8) Pressed leader, awkward 2nd and relegated to midfield, towards rear 6th, pushed along briefly after 7th, ridden after 11th, tailed off 13th, pulled up before 14th, at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
The Mighty Don (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Held up, not always fluent, closed 11th, hit 14th, outpaced when mistake 3 out, stayed on approaching last, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Happygolucky (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (2) gs in Dec.
Yala Enki (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Pressed leader until before 5 out, ridden an switched right before 2 out, stayed on flat, no impression on winner, 3rd of 18, 3 1/4l behind Secret Reprieve (10-1) at Chepstow 3m 7f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Looksnowtlikebrian (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, pushed along before 4 out, soon outpaced, went poor 2nd last, 2nd of 7, 14l behind Irish Prophecy (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Nov.