Racecards
14:40 Taunton
Orchard Restaurant Beginners' Chase (Class 4)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
Bright Green
40- Form 24U2/09
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 85
prominent, led after 5th, headed 9th, led again after next, ridden and headed soon after 4 out, one pace from next
- Form R7500-3
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 91
- Trainer B Forsey
- Jockey L Treadwell
led until fell 2nd
- Form 52332-8
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 117
left in lead 2nd, headed after 5th, weakened 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
- Form 0/F-PP
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
- Form 0/971-25
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
settled in touch, joined winner 4 out, ridden next, kept on from last
- Form 363-90P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
in touch, reminders 6th, ridden 8th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
- Form 1P44-P0
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer S T Lewis
- Jockey J Pritchard
prominent, ridden after 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
- Form 6/4143-0
- Age 10
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer V R A Dartnall
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
prominent, led 9th, mistake and headed next, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next
Parsou (FR)
31- Form 7035-5P
- Age 5
- Weight 10-10
held up, headway 9th, ridden after 4 out, weakening when hit 2 out, fell last
- Form 14-P3
- Age 5
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
tracked leaders, led soon after 4 out, stumbled next, stayed on, ridden out
In depth
Verdict
Robin De Sherwood, Marcus and Swift Sailor could be the three to concentrate on here and narrow preference is for Robin De Sherwood. Along with fellow five-year-old Parsou, the selection receives a slight weight-for-age allowance and this unexposed ex-French horse should run well on ground that suits. Evidently in need of the run when he was pulled up on his debut at Cheltenham, he was dropped back to two miles last time out and ran well behind Missis Potts. That form looks solid and with this intermediate trip expected to suit, he can progress up the chasing ladder with a win today. Marcus caused a surprise when winning at 50/1 on his final hurdles run but hasn't impressed in two runs over fences however today's drop in trip could suit Emma Lavelle's gelding. Swift Sailor was pulled up on his chase debut and this enigmatic runner is not sure to put his best foot forward, however if he did he would have a chance. Henry Daly's horses seem to be running better now after a quiet patch and Parsou should not be readily dismissed. L'Oudon has his first start for his new stable today having formerly been with Paul Nicholls but returning from a break he may just need the run and he doesn't always find much when the chips are down. Again another open race with Robin De Sherwood getting the nod.
Formwatch
Bright Green 16-1 (10-12) Towards rear, pecked 1st, ridden 7th, soon weakened, 9th of 19, 49l behind Amber Brook (10-9) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Killing Me Softly 9-2 (10-9) Pulled hard and prominent, effort approaching 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 11, 25l behind Axinit (10-10) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (4) sft in Dec.
L'oudon (FR) 10-1 (10-13) In touch, hit 2nd, ridden after 5th, soon weakened, last of 8, well behind Blaeberry (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Leading Article (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Always in rear, behind 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mealagh Valley (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs, 15 ran.
Marcus 15-8fav (10-13) Led until 6th, led again 8th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 6, 18l behind Gidam Gidam (11-5) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) gs.
Swift Sailor 7-1 (10-7) Mid-division, behind from 10th, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Pedros Brief (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
The Walnut Tree (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Led, headed 6th, soon weakened, 11th of 14, well behind Premier Des Marais (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Young Dancer (IRE) 3-1fav (11-6) Mid-division, hit 6th, hampered 7th, headway approaching next, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 14, 37l behind Kealshore Lad (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Parsou (FR) 10-3 (10-7) Held up, mistake 9th, lost touch 12th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Dear Villez (11-6) at Newbury 2m 6f nov chs (3) sft in Dec, 5 ran.
Robin De Sherwood (FR) 5-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, headed after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Missis Potts (10-5) at Hereford 2m nov chs (3) sft.