14:10 Taunton

Thursday 14 December 2017

All12:0012:3013:0513:3514:1014:4515:1515:50

Dave Criddle Travel & Thomas Cook Holidays Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 4m 53.2s

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Selected odds by:

Garo De Juilley^t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 125| CD

8/1

C&D novice hurdle winner last April ran well on return at Wincanton. Well-beaten third latest with 3lb more suggests a bit more required but extra 3f should help.

Form: 621P-23

The Welsh Paddies⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: Christian Williams| OR: 125

9/2

Ran well in both starts for this yard in maiden hurdles, winning latest at Warwick. Booking of champion jockey for handicap debut suggests expectations are high here.

Form: 173-21

Quarenta²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 123

14/1

Gained first hurdle win at Warwick in October but found life tougher since in sterner tests at Cheltenham. Completely tailed-off latest and 2lb ease not enough to recommend involvement.

Form: 232100

Here's Herbie^t²⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 123| CD

18/1

Seemed to lose his way at the end of last season. Freshened up by a summer break now and returns off a mark 5lb lower than C&D win of 2016 so fitness will determine his chance.

Form: 372U85-

Molineaux²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 122

9/2

7lb rise for excellent second at Ascot to Brown Bear two starts ago and not disgraced off new mark when third at same venue latest stepped back to 2m. This trip on a flat track ideal and leading contender here.

Form: 23-4423

Floresco^p⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: D A Jacob| T: R Woollacott| OR: 121| D

9/1

18 month now since his last win, at Newton Abbot. 2lb lower than that winning mark now but recent evidence far from compelling he will take advantage with his return at Ludlow a well beaten fourth of six.

Form: 4645-54

Cesar Et Rosalie^t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 120

14/1

Out of the first three for the first time over hurdles when sixth latest at Sandown although possibly didn't last the stiff 2m4f. Earlier handicap bow encouraging so better possible here although stable form a worry.

Form: 212-126

Justification¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 118

20/1

February Sandown novices handicap winner hasn't built on that since. Faded late on at Kempton on return last month but handicap mark getting close to interest again now so better possible with fitness boosted.

Form: 4/4315-5

Hidden Cargo⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 117

9/1

Novice form last term showed plenty of promise although he didn't win a race. Return saw him pulled-up in first handicap at Exeter. Given time since and better can surely be expected in coming months.

Form: 35243-P

Polly's Pursuit^h¹⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Ned Curtis⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 115| BF

14/1

Won middle of three hurdle starts in the summer but pulled hard on each occasion which was costly latest when beaten as 1/3F. Needs to settle better but champion trainer capable of most things so that is a possibility.

Form: 129-212

Norse Legend³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 114

16/1

Over three years now since his lone hurdle win. Beaten 25L on return last month and while he should be fitter now others make far more compelling cases.

Form: 32P60/7

Caviar D'Allen⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Christian Williams| OR: 107

33/1

Unplaced in four hurdles races although latest fourth of 15 at 250/1 after a break a much improved effort. If it was the first sign of progress he could go well now switched to handicaps.

Form: P2-8464

Padleyourowncanoe¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-1| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 115

13/2

Gained first hurdle win last month at Exeter despite uprooting the last. 5lb rise not unfair and should go well again having snuck in with bottom weight.

Form: 341

Non-Runners

Vivas²⁶

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: C E Longsdon J: Paul O'Brien

Forecasts

Molineaux (9/2), The Welsh Paddies (9/2), Padleyourowncanoe (13/2), Garo De Juilley (8/1), Hidden Cargo (9/1), Floresco (9/1), Vivas (12/1), Cesar Et Rosalie (14/1), Polly's Pursuit (14/1), Quarenta (14/1), Norse Legend (16/1), Here's Herbie (18/1), Justification (20/1), Caviar D'Allen (33/1)

Colin Tizzard has two live contenders here with MOLINEAUX in particular boasting very strong claims after two good runs to start this season. There is no shortage of dangers however and lightly raced pair The Welsh Paddies and Polly's Pursuit are both likely to be capable of better in the coming months so they are among the most likely of his rivals.