Racecards
15:10 Taunton
Bathwick Tyres Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 1y
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £10,000 added
- Winner: £6,330
- 2nd: £1,870
- 3rd: £935
- 4th: £468
- Form 23151-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, led briefly and blundered 2 out, one pace after
- Form U102-30
- Age 10
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer J Farrelly
- Jockey Jamie Bargary
led to 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace
- Form 512P-23
- Age 10
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Adam Wedge
tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out
Norse Legend
32- Form 122P-3
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer C Gordon
- Jockey Tom Cannon
with leaders, led 3 out, headed briefly 2 out, ridden last and soon headed, kept on same pace
- Form 322/33-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, weakened before last
- Form F8-632F
- Age 8
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer Mrs S Gardner
- Jockey Lucy Gardner
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, plugged on and never dangerous
Adelar (GER)
894- Form 341801/
- Age 11
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Callum Whillans
held up mid-division, took keen hold, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up
- Form 2838F5
- Age 10
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
held up behind, headway before 2 out, soon weakened
- Form 52-2UFP
- Age 8
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer Mrs N S Evans
- Jockey Charlie Deutsch
mid-division, weakened before 2 out
- Form 205-33F
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer Miss J Du Plessis
- Jockey James Best
in rear, headway before 2 out, led before last, kept on well
Verdict
PULL THE CHORD is 15lb higher than when landing this 12 months ago but improved again to beat two subsequent winners on his reappearance at Exeter in November and a follow-up may be on the cards. The Brock Again hasn't raced since third when favourite for a Listed hurdle at Haydock in November 2014 but is unlikely to fail through lack of fitness and it's only a matter of time before he gets his head in front. Adelar has an even longer absence to overcome while Ascendant, Tornado In Milan and Norse Legend are all looking a little high in the weights at present. But Winning Spark would have gone close at Exeter last time had he stood up and has been placed at worst in four previous visits to the track.
Formwatch
Pull The Chord (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Held up on outside, closed 2nd, went 2nd 4th, challenged 3 out, led next, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Sirop De Menthe (10-10) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ascendant 25-1 (11-10) Prominent, ridden 3 out, soon lost place, 12th of 14, 36l behind Solstice Star (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Tornado In Milan (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, tracked leader until mistake 7th, mistake next, one pace from 4 out, no impression in 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Jayo Time (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Norse Legend 12-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, tracked leader, mistake 6th, ridden and lost 2nd before 2 out, hit 2 out, weakened into 4th between last two, hit last, went modest 3rd in closing stages, 3rd of 6, 14 1/4l behind Gevrey Chambertin (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
The Brock Again Evensfav (11-0) Led and keen, headed before and mistake 3 out, lost 2nd before last, soon left poor 2nd, kept on and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 5 1/4l behind Thorpe (11-0) at Haydock 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Here's Herbie 7-2 (11-2) Held up behind when fell 1st, at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Adelar (GER) 7-2 (11-2) Prominent, mistake 6th, challenged 2 out, soon led, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Scoglio (11-1) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
My Brother Sylvest 12-1 (11-6) Led, headed 5 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, dist behind Sir Valentino (11-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Lord Adare (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, soon tracked leaders, led before 3rd, headed 5th, led again next, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Winning Spark (USA) 9-2 (11-12) In rear, headway after 4 out, in 3rd and going well when fell 3 out, at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.