16:30 Taunton

Sunday 4 February 2018

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:30

Bathwick Tyres Bridgwater Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 5m 12.8s

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Selected odds by:

The Mistress^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 100

6/1

Didn't particularly impress in bumpers/novice hurdles, but seems the sort to do better now handicapping, with her conditional rider claiming a useful 3lb.

Form: 39-3760

Tactical Manoeuvre^t⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cheesman| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 99

7/1

9lb higher than when winning at Exeter last April (and has only had two starts since). Handicapper may be in charge for now.

Form: 03P1P-4

Flanagans Field^p²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: R Patrick| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 95| D

9/2

Usually runs his race and should be on a workable mark based on recent placed efforts, though he isn't the easiest horse to win with.

Form: 12-2344

Sapphire Noire^p1⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: C Gethings| T: N J Hawke| OR: 93

20/1

Two efforts since going handicapping have been even poorer than tame attempts in novice company. Cheek pieces on but others appeal much more.

Form: 0857-7P

Benbecula^b¹⁰⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: N R Mitchell| OR: 92| D

4/1

Second at Wincanton when last seen in October was a step in the right direction. Off since but has won off much higher levels than this at this best.

Form: 895-042

River Dun^p1³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Michael Heard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 91| BF

11/4

Never seemed to be travelling and jumped right when disappointing favourite at Uttoxeter last time. First-time cheek pieces may go some way to sorting out those issues and if so he's a big player following a recent close second at Fontwell.

Form: 05BP-25

Ice Tres^h²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Kieron Edgar| T: C J Down| OR: 86

8/1

Slightly outran her 33/1 price on return from a long break at this course last month. Place claims if building on that effort.

Form: 74665/5

It's All An Act^t⁶⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: James Bowen| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 72WS

12/1

No win since October 2014 and not much better on stable debut here in November. Has had a wind operation since but will need that to have made a difference.

Form: 779-4P0

My Diamond⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: Mrs L J Young| OR: 71

33/1

Failed to complete last three starts, including off the back of an absence last time out, and has it all to do from 3lb out of the handicap.

Form: 5P/7FP-P

Forecasts

River Dun (11/4), Benbecula (4/1), Flanagans Field (9/2), The Mistress (6/1), Tactical Manoeuvre (7/1), Ice Tres (8/1), It's All An Act (12/1), Sapphire Noire (20/1), My Diamond (33/1)

RIVER DUN ran an odd race when favourite last time out, acting as if it were the first time she had seen a racecourse in places, but ran a race full of promise on her penultimate start and it may be worth hoping that first-time cheek pieces will help with those quirks and see her finally get off the mark here in conditions which should suit. If not, then either the consistent Flanagans Field or handicap debutante The Mistress could be the one to pick up the pieces.