Racecards
16:45 Taunton
Openbet Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 1y
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
- Winner: £3,899
- 2nd: £1,145
- 3rd: £572
- 4th: £286
- Form 3-53160
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Mr Lewis Gordon
tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, well beaten when blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
- Form 1-04485
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer N P Mulholland
- Jockey N D Fehily
mid-division on inside, closed 5th, led before 2 out, went left last, headed flat, no impression towards finish
- Form 096145
- Age 9
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer J Farrelly
- Jockey David Noonan
held up in rear, some headway 3 out, never on terms, no impression next
- Form 434-42
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer R Walford
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
prominent, led 7th, headed 3 out, mistake 2 out, 4th and no extra last
- Form 08524P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer Mrs S Gardner
- Jockey Lucy Gardner
led until 7th, weakened after 3 out
- Form 46-P00
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 102
mid-division, not fluent 3rd or 6th, lost place 7th, weakened before 3 out
- Form 22PP12
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer Alexandra Dunn
- Jockey Ian Popham
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, close 3rd last, hung left and no extra final 100 yards
- Form 4133-62
- Age 11
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer Mrs K A Buckett
- Jockey Kieron Edgar
held up and behind, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd before last, led flat, ran on
- Form 736-331
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer K Bishop
- Jockey James Best
prominent, mistake 2nd, led 3 out, headed before next, 5th and no extra last
- Form 43PFU7
- Age 5
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer R Woollacott
- Jockey C O'Farrell
tracked leaders on inside, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 60-3P1P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 103
Nonrunner
Verdict
Jully Les Buxy is of interest on handicap debut after five pleasing efforts in bumper and novice hurdle company and looks on an acceptable mark. She's gone well on the soft but now faces the heavy for the first time, whilst the booking of Aidan Coleman suggests the Walford team are very hopeful about her chances. However, PRECIOUS GROUND toughed it out really well to score a first success at Exeter last month and will definitely go on the ground. Lightly-raced after just nine starts, a rise of 7lb for that success still puts him in here off a workable mark. Course winner Winged Express will also handle conditions and impressed when scoring here in late December for which he's been hiked a stiff-looking 12lb. Join The Navy is fully exposed but has place claims.
Formwatch
Milestone (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Always behind, 10th of 13, dist behind Doctor Look Here (10-6) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Bishops Court 50-1 (10-12) Led, jumped left 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, 5th of 10, 24 3/4l behind Maxanisi (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Exemplary 5-1 (11-9) Held up in touch on outside, driven after 3 out, never on terms, weakened before next, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Eminent Poet (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Jully Les Buxy 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, bumped 3 out, went 2nd approaching and wandered 2 out, one pace and no impression between last two, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Lifeboat Mona (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Only Gorgeous (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Prominent, weakened before 3 out, pulled up, at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Hoist The Colours (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) In rear, ridden and well beaten before 3 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Antony (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Winged Express (IRE) 11-10fav (10-9) Help, baulked 4th, not fluent 7th, went 2nd 4 out, ridden and held by winner from 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Mr Bachster (11-3) at Towcester 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Join The Navy 8-1 (11-3) Held up behind, headway 3 out, chased winner when blundered and rider lost iron next, soon outpaced, rallied when lost modest 2nd briefly last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 15l behind Eminent Poet (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Precious Ground 3-1jfav (11-0) Chased leaders, led 3 out, drew clear after last, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Jan beating Petite Fantasie (10-3) by 7l, 7 ran.
Sheer Poetry (IRE) 28-1 (11-11) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 7th of 14, dist behind Sadma (11-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Taroum (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Held up, closed after 2nd, not fluent 4th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next, at Towcester 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.