14:15 Taunton

Saturday 19 January 2019

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2515:5516:25

Invest Southwest Seniors' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 4m 43.6s

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Selected odds by:

Unison²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁵⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 143| C

5/1

Track and ground should both suit, and he does come here in good form after another solid effort at Kempton last time, but this trip is a concern, with best efforts seemingly coming over shorter. On that, others make more appeal.

Form: P-353P2

Air Horse One⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 141| CD

8/1

This trip and ground both ideal but has turned in two very moderate efforts since coming back off a summer break. Tempting looking handicap mark though, and this is easier than some of the tasks he's faced, so hard to discount completely.

Form: 023P-70

Blue Rambler^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Ian Williams| OR: 131

5/2

Lightly raced over hurdles for one his age, and comes here off the back of a very good effort at Doncaster, caught on the line. That was over 3m, but this trip should be fine. 6lb rise for that asks a new question, but still a big player.

Form: 22512/2

Beltor²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: R Stephens| OR: 129| C

4/1

Very useful juvenile hurdler, and has refound some of that form recently, coming good here last time out. This is a bit tougher though, and the trip asks a new question of him as well, so needs to step it up again from a 4lb higher mark.

Form: 56373/1

Raven's Tower⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Bryony Frost| T: B Pauling| OR: 128

8/1

The talent is there but an overall win rate of 6 wins in 46 starts rather shows the issue. Well beaten when last seen but yard was struggling at the time, so may do better here. However, this trip an unknown too.

Form: 07-P338

Kings Lad^t¹⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 10-10| J: Angus Cheleda⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 127| D

8/1

Well into the veteran stages now, reverts to hurdles after a couple of poor efforts in very competitive handicap chases but will surely find things happening a bit too quickly for him, even if back on song. Plenty to prove despite a tempting mark.

Form: 1215PP

Big Chief Benny²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 124| D

16/1

Back off a long absence this winter, and showed a little bit more at Kempton last time out, so perhaps there's still hope for him to fulfil some of his early potential. Should be fitter again here and has chances. Conditions fine.

Form: 1620/07

Master Burbidge^p¹⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: P K Donovan⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 121| CD

14/1

Not seen out since finishing in the frame in Jersey last summer, but has gone well after a break before so the absence not necessarily an issue. C&D winner too and well enough treated to be worth a second look.

Form: 3F1-352

Mick Thonic^b,t⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Kimber⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 117

12/1

Often highly tried over fences last year but has reverted to hurdles without really having a lot of success. Hard to win with, and might find himself a bit out of his depth here too. Others make more appeal.

Form: 542366

Forecasts

Blue Rambler (5/2), Beltor (4/1), Unison (5/1), Air Horse One (8/1), Raven's Tower (8/1), Kings Lad (8/1), Mick Thonic (12/1), Master Burbidge (14/1), Big Chief Benny (16/1)

With the likes of Beltor , Unison and Raven's Tower having something to prove as regards this trip, and Air Horse One and Master Burbidge their wellbeing, this may not be as competitive as it first looks. Blue Rambler looks sure to be on the premises if he repeats his latest effort, but a chance is taken that BIG CHIEF BENNY, who dropped a bit of a hint at Kempton last time, can refind some of his best form. He might even have a bit more improvement in him, given how lightly raced for his age he is.