14:00 Taunton

Monday 14 March 2022

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:50

William Hill Champion Hurdle Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 4m 58.04s

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Selected odds by:

Highstakesplayer⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Dylan Kitts⁽¹⁰⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 101

13/8

Fair form in bumpers and off the mark at fifth attempt over hurdles when landing a 20.4f Southwell handicap last week. Rider's claim negates the 7 lb penalty he incurred and another bold show likely.

Form: 5-78431

Ladykiller^b1⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 105

11/1

Smart on Flat in Germany, including listed/Group 3 wins in 2019. Not disgraced on handicap bow in this sphere at Leicester, but subsequent effort in Southwell race won by Highstakesplayer was poor.

Form: 3-348

Drash On Ruby^t1³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 98| BF

6/1

Showed ability in bumpers and likewise over hurdles, albeit without progressing in the way one may have expected switched to handicaps the last twice. Now tried in a tongue strap and back up in trip.

Form: 43-2436

Start Point^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: M G Nolan| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 97

12/1

Has taken steps forward with each of her 3 starts in maiden hurdles, most recently finishing fourth of 14 over 16.6f here. Improvement should be forthcoming back up in trip for this handicap debut.

Form: 0534

Cry Wolf¹²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 90

20/1

Four-time Flat winner who belied odds of 50/1 when striking for the first time over hurdles at Worcester (23f) last summer. Has followed that with 3 solid efforts in defeat and each-way chance here.

Form: 85/1323

Checkitsme²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Bradley Harris⁽¹⁰⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 88

7/1

Just about better than ever when gaining breakthrough success at Leicester (20.5f) in January. Has acquitted herself well at Ffos Las and Plumpton since, and should give another good account.

Form: 388135

Minella Voucher^t¹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Miss Thomosina Eyston⁽⁷⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 86| D

66/1

Ended last season in good heart over fences, but pulled up on seasonal return at Lingfield in October and again failed to complete back hurdling following a break over this C&D recently.

Form: 22-22PP

Karakoram^p,t²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁷⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 83| CD

7/2

Did the job well when scoring over C&D in December. Largely respectable efforts in defeat since, including at Hereford and Saturday, and while overall strike rate is poor, he's one to consider.

Form: 144653

McGregors Charge¹²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: David Prichard⁽⁵⁾| T: L Hurley| OR: 88

80/1

Showed a bit under a considerate ride when third at Hexham (16.2f) on hurdles debut last June. Has failed to build on that in 2 subsequent starts, though, and needs to raise his game now handicapping.

Form: 368

Modreeney⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 78

9/1

Fair Irish bumper winner, but little impact in 4 starts over hurdles for new yard during the winter. Considerable improvement required now that he ventures down the handicap route.

Form: 16P0P0

Non-Runners

Linger⁷

Weight: 11-1| Age: 9

T: Miss C Dyson J: Charlie Price

Forecasts

Highstakesplayer (13/8), Karakoram (7/2), Drash On Ruby (6/1), Checkitsme (7/1), Modreeney (9/1), Ladykiller (11/1), Start Point (12/1), Cry Wolf (20/1), Linger (50/1), Minella Voucher (66/1), McGregors Charge (80/1)

Several to consider in an open-looking contest. START POINT has made gradual race-by-race progress in a trio of maidens and could be ready to strike now pitched into a handicap off what looks a fair opening mark. Checkitsme arrives here in decent nick and should make her presence felt, while last week's Southwell scorer Highstakesplayer and C&D winner Karakoram are also accorded respect.