Racecards
16:30 Taunton
Pertemps People Development Series Conditionals' Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 3m 110y
- Going: Firm, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £4,500 added
- Form 0-98F07
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 105
held up, headway 8th, going well, led 2 out, driven out flat
- Form 435194
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer R J Hodges
- Jockey R P McLernon
held up last, ridden 3 out, no impression
- Form 580886
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer C Gordon
- Jockey Oliver Williams
prominent, joined leader 7th, led 8th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon no chance
- Form 162286
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey R Flint
prominent, ridden and chased leader 3 out, weakened 2 out
- Form 295-788
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 92
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 9th
- Form 32812/P
- Age 10
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer Mrs A M Thorpe
- Jockey C Wallis
led, ridden and headed 8th, weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out
- Form 92PF4P
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 88
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey K Burke
chased leader, ridden and challenged 3 out, led briefly approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
- Form P696
- Age 5
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer A J Whiting
- Jockey Matt Crawley
towards rear, reminder 5th, ridden 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
- Form 5/1808-P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey J Pemberton
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and ran on from 2 out, went 2nd close home
In depth
Verdict
A race little better than plating class and ORCHARD HOUSE is our idea of the winner with Marigolds Way and Floradorado on the shortlist. Evan Williams' charge has no problems with the trip this afternoon and while life is far more difficult than when he obliged off a mark of 69 at Huntingdon, he has been found a bad race and can take advantage. Marigolds Way was entitled to need her first run back from absence. The mare won on a similar surface at Fontwell and she should not be discounted at this level. Paul Nicholls has had a number of handicap winners of late so it would be folly to overlook Floradorado. She had dotted up in a bumper at the course in 2007 but things clearly haven't progressed in the manner that was anticipated. Quaddick Lake won an Irish point over 2m4f but his rules form has been a disappointment. Sovereign Spirit has floundered on softer ground so could be better suited this afternoon. Ar Nos Na Gaoithe has been well supported in the betting in the past though those followers were notably absent last time out. Orchard House looks the safest option in a trappy contest.
Formwatch
Quaddick Lake (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Held up, ridden approaching 3 out, plugged on, 7th of 11, 14l behind Line Artic (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Marigolds Way 16-1 (11-5) Led after 2nd, headed 4th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 14l behind Marchand D'argent (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Sovereign Spirit (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Held up, never dangerous, 6th of 14, 21l behind Dantari (10-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Orchard House (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, every chance 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 14, 37l behind Rocky Ryan (11-7) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Fortification (USA) 50-1 (10-11) Tracked winner, lost place before 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Mount Benger (11-2) at Chepstow 2m clm hdl (5) gd.
Ar Nos Na Gaoithe (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden and hit 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Pure Genius (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs, 18 ran.
Justabout 17-2 (10-6) Tracked leaders, weakened after 10th, behind when pulled up before 14th, in a race won by Peter Pole (11-12) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 12 ran.
Slickdalay (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, reminders after 5th, never dangerous, 6th of 16, 37l behind Quiny Boy (11-9) at Stratford 2m 3f 4yo cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Floradorado 10-1 (10-1) Held up, ridden and weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Hearty Dove (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.