Racecards
15:15 Taunton
Bathwick Tyres Taunton Handicap Chase (Class 4)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f 150y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £9,000 added
- Winner: £5,848
- 2nd: £1,717
- 3rd: £859
- 4th: £429
- Form PP-5P56
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer Miss R Curtis
- Jockey Adam Wedge
tracked leader until 10th, 4th and beaten before 3 out, no extra next
- Form 6-7P111
- Age 7
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey T Scudamore
tracked leaders, mistake 1st, 2nd from 10th, in tight 3 out, closed next, led before last, stayed on well
- Form 25442-7
- Age 11
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer R Dickin
- Jockey Conor Shoemark
tracked leaders on inside, jumped left 4th, not fluent and outpaced 9th, mistake next, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
- Form 161158
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer Miss J Du Plessis
- Jockey Miss H Welch
in touch in rear, slow 2nd, 4th from 10th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, not able to threaten leading pair, stayed on same pace
- Form 433-P42
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey T J O'Brien
led, jumped left 10th, ridden and headed before last, no impression towards finish
- Form 87-876F
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer R Woollacott
- Jockey C O'Farrell
tracked leaders on outside, lost place 5th, last next, outpaced 8th, mistake 9th, well behind next
- Form 70/5-U01
- Age 11
- Weight 12-7
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer Mrs S Leech
- Jockey James Best
Nonrunner
- Form 533511
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer D A Rees
- Jockey Paul Moloney
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
AMBER GAMBLER began his winning run over hurdles at Market Rasen and has since gained very convincing victories over fences at Fakenham and Wetherby. He steps up a grade here and has a massive 16lb rise to contend with but still looks capable of scoring again. Gardiners Hill scored over 3m1f at Hereford then showed his versatility by completing a double over 2m3f at Chepstow. He has a 14lb hike which makes things more difficult, though he's obviously on the upgrade. How About It has pulled up in four of his last seven starts though in better company and the assessor is finally relenting. Winning point-to-pointer Leg Lock Luke hasn't had much experience and has gradually improved so it shouldn't be long before he loses his maiden tag under Rules.
Formwatch
How About It (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Towards rear, pushed along and struggling in 8th before 14th, modest 6th 2 out, never on terms, 6th of 13, 30 3/4l behind Court Frontier (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Amber Gambler (GER) 8-11fav (11-6) Held up, headway 6 out, went 3rd before 4 out, led last, kept on well, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) gs in Jan beating Joseph Mercer (10-0) by 3 3/4l, 12 ran.
Kitegen (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) In touch in 4th, pushed along before 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Oliver's Hill (10-6) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) gf in Dec.
Polo The Mumm (FR) 25-1 (11-11) Held up on outside, closed after 4th, close up after 3 out, weakened well before next, 8th of 15, 21 1/4l behind Soupy Soups (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Leg Lock Luke (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Prominent until 4th, stayed in touch, 2nd 4 out, no impression on winner 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Dance Floor King (11-7) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Prince Mahler (IRE) 22-1 (10-3) Tracking leading pair when fell 4th, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Peckhamecho (IRE) 80-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, 11th of 12, dist behind Brelan D'as (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Gardiners Hill (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd travelling well before 12th, 2nd before led last, quickened clear run-in, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Jan beating William Money (11-4) by 5l, 10 ran.