Racecards
14:15 Taunton
Royal Bath & West 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class D)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Form 5124
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
chased winner, every chance 7th, ridden before 3 out, weakened before next
- Form 3631
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer M Bradstock
- Jockey M Batchelor
made all, quickened clear 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on gamely flat
- Form 00
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer John R Upson
- Jockey M Mello
mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened
- Form 1-122
- Age 6
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey J Tizzard
in touch, rapid headway after 5th, challenged and ridden before 3 out, weakened after next
- Form P1-P5P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer J Mullins
- Jockey A Thornton
prominent, ridden before 3 out, soon behind
Hi Fi
31- Form 044
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey S Durack
chased leaders, ridden 7th, soon weakened
- Form 0/03-660
- Age 7
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer R Baker
- Jockey V Slattery
held up in touch, ridden 6th, lost touch before next
- Form 44/50
- Age 7
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey B J Crowley
mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden before 2 out, stayed on well flat, nearest finish
- Form 04
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
held up mid-division, some headway 6th, ridden before 3 out, stayed on same pace
- Form 00
- Age 6
- Weight 11-1
always behind and soon ridden, mistake 4th, tailed off from 6th
- Form 00-F03
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey J Culloty
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, one pace
- Age 9
- Weight 11-1
held up, ridden before 6th, soon behind
- Age 7
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey J R Kavanagh
mid-division, ridden and mistake 3 out
Sparkling Lass
322- Form 04P004-
- Age 9
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer N G Ayliffe
- Jockey G Supple
towards rear, weakened 6th, soon tailed off
In depth
Verdict
Chepstow bumper winner Desmond Tutu put up a decent performance when second at Wincanton on what was only his second start over hurdles, and if he can produce the expect improvement here he should be hard to beat. The main danger to Paul Nicholls' horse could be Ever Present, who won at Bangor in November but arguably put up a better performance in defeat when fourth to Keltic Bard at Cheltenham last time, and he seems sure to go close here. The only other horse to merit serious consideration is Nonantais, who had shaped with promise before getting off the mark in a weakish race at Taunton last time.