Racecards
14:55 Taunton
South Tetcott Hunt Supporters Novices' Chase (Class 4)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 7f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- £6,500 added
- Form 1/1-21
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey L Heard
soon tracking leaders, hit 5th, led 8th, not fluent 13th, ridden and headed when mistake 2 out, held when mistake last
- Form 2324/17
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
in touch, headway 7th, left 2nd 11th, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on, ridden out
- Form 1P6/PP4
- Age 10
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 89
- Trainer B Scriven
- Jockey D P O'Dwyer
chased leaders, not fluent 7th, lost action and pulled up before next
- Form 64337P
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 62
- Trainer A W Carroll
- Jockey E Dehdashti
held up, headway 10th, left close 3rd 11th, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
- Form 59P529
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer P R Rodford
- Jockey S Walsh
led 3rd until blundered badly and headed 7th, weakened 11th, pulled up before next
- Form P060F5
- Age 10
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer N J Dawe
- Jockey Mr C Wallis
held up, left 4th 11th, closed on leaders 4 out, outpaced next, stayed on from last
- Form P20P34
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer Miss L Blackford
- Jockey R Greene
led, blundered 3rd, led after 7th until next, with leader when blundered badly and unseated rider 11th
Verdict
Another simple task has emerged for Leading Attraction to supplement Sunday's easy victory at Kempton. Held in the highest regard by Paul Nicholls, the imposing sort returned to action in Febuary with a highly encouraging seasonal debut after 15 months off. His performance on Sunday confirmed himself as a talented sort. While his jumping was far from perfect, he quickly re-organised himself and was ridden with supreme confidence. He showed a smart turn on foot in the straight and is an exciting prospect for next season. Menchikov was a smart novice hurdler two seasons back before injury prevented him from returning last season. The winner of a weak beginners' chase on is re-appearence, he was set a stiff task by connections when contesting the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. Far from disgraced in that event, he took a fierce pull early doors and consequently those exertions took their toll in the later stages. The drop back to 3m should suit but he faces a talented sort in Leading Attraction. The remainder would need an act of god to land this and Leading Attraction is the pick to overcome Menchikov.
Formwatch
Leading Attraction (IRE) 4-6fav (10-9) In touch, headway 3 out, led and mistake 2 out, ran on flat, won at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gs in Mar beating Cheating Chance (11-0) by 13l, 8 ran.
Menchikov (FR) 20-1 (11-11) Mid-division, mistake 8th, mistake 14th, chasing leaders when hampered 2 out, weakened last, 7th of 20, 15l behind Old Benny (11-7) at Cheltenham 4m nov amt chs (2) gs in Mar.
Dunbell Boy (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Chased winner, reminders after 6th, ridden after 13th, weakened after 3 out, mistake last, 4th of 6, 25l behind Squires Lane (11-1) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Mar.
Kinkeel (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Chased leaders until 7th, soon behind and pulled up 5 out in race won by Arceye (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Mar, 12 ran.
Outside Investor (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Always towards rear, 9th of 16, 49l behind Oakfield Legend (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Nov.
Proud Peer (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Towards rear, lost touch 8th, tailed off, 5th of 7, 29l behind Keepthedreamalive (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Mar.
Rules Apply (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Held up, hit 11th, ridden and lost touch 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, 50l behind Mister Knight (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Feb.