Racecards
16:25 Wincanton
Kingwell Lodge B&b Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- Form P-18232
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
held up towards rear, headway on inside approaching 6th, ridden and lost touch 2 out, jumped left last, kept on same pace flat
- Form 263721
- Age 7
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer A M Hales
- Jockey W T Kennedy
prominent, led 3 out, ridden and quickened clear 2 out, easily
Kaldouas (FR)
104- Form 6-01
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up in touch, lost place after 6th, headway after 3 out, ridden 2 out, one pace
- Form 54P8-10
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
held up last, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
- Form 11245
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey C Llewellyn
held up in touch, headway, chased leader 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on but no chance with winner
- Form 24-2336
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey L P Aspell
led until ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 709/P44
- Age 8
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer Dr J R J Naylor
- Jockey R Walford
chased leader, ridden, weakened 3 out, soon tailed off
- Form 255-P7
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer B J Llewellyn
- Jockey O McPhail
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, weakened 3 out
In depth
Verdict
Kaldouas can beat his mainly older rivals, with Miko de Beauchene, Saltango and Hibernian the best of them. Having shaped well in two bumpers without setting the world alight last year, Kaldouas duly obliged when sent over timber at Windsor in December, looking every inch a future chaser in the making. Being a half-brother to quite a few winners including Poliantas, that is where his future lies, but for the time being he can pay to follow in long-distance hurdle races with his stamina not in question. He should have too much scope for most of today's rivals at least, with Miko de Beauchene the best of them but likely to be anchored by topweight. Saltango bolted up in heavy ground at Fontwell in February and missed a crack at the Coral Cup. Any rain would increase his chances, while Hibernian would probably prefer an even longer journey than today's judged by the way that he stayed on up the hill when sixth in a Grade 3 handicap at Sandown last time. Former pointer Best Profile opened his account under rules in fairly easy fashion at Carlisle in October but has failed to build on that and is another that is destined to go chasing. Granted so is Kaldouas, but he makes most appeal on this occasion.
Formwatch
Miko de Beauchene (FR) 11-10fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Cloudy Lane (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Saltango (GER) 4-7fav (11-8) In touch, headway to chase leading pair 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon in command, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating Heavy Weather (11-4) by 10l, 15 ran.
Kaldouas (FR) 7-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway6th, led 3 out, stayed on well, won at Windsor 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec beating Boberelle (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Mikado Melody (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, driven approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 13th of 15, 33l behind Pirate Flagship (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Best Profile (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, moderate effort 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 11, 27l behind Wee Anthony (10-5) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Hibernian (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway on outside to chase leaders approaching 2 out, ridden and no impression when hit last, 6th of 17, 5l behind Killaghy Castle (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft.
See More Jock 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway from 6th, went 2nd 4 out until approaching 2 out, lost moderate 3rd flat, 4th of 15, 25l behind Saltango (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Baranook (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, ridden 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 14, well behind Taking My Cut (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.