14:45 Taunton

Friday 30 December 2022

All12:4513:1513:4514:1514:4515:1515:45

Farewell Doctor John Heathcock Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 6m 10.38s

Time To Tinker^p,t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 125| C

7/1

Dual winner last season, including a Wincanton handicap off 3 lb higher. Better effort this term when fourth of 14 at Newbury (3m) last month. Likely to be thereabouts.

Form: 112P-64

Presenting Jeremy³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 119

12/1

Looked a good prospect when readily off the mark on debut in a Worcester novice hurdle (23f) back in spring 2021. Off 19 months, not unduly knocked about when last of 5 in Ffos Las handicap 5 weeks ago. This should reveal more as to how much ability he retains.

Form: 3F/1-5

Moon King^t,v³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: B Roberts⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 118

14/1

Opened his hurdling account at Worcester in August but below par both runs since. Others appeal more.

Form: 424-196

The Changing Man⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 118

3/1

Completed a handicap hat-trick when easily seeing off 4 rivals at Uttoxeter (23f) last month. This is a deeper race but he may not have reached his limit yet. High on the shortlist.

Form: 7551-11

Apple Rock²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Luca Morgan⁽³⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 117| D

9/2

Slipped in weights last term and, with his yard in fine form, has returned to win handicaps at Southwell (3m) and Leicester (20.5f). Raised 9 lb but he was successful off a similar mark earlier in his career. Another to consider.

Form: 53F3-11

Invictus Smart^t²⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 118

66/1

Bought to £200,000 after winning a juvenile hurdle at Fontainebleau on debut last November. Dropped away tamely to finish distant last of 5 in Market Rasen novice for new yard in March but clearly early days and he's one to note in the betting now handicapping. Tongue tie he wore in France refitted.

Form: 15-

Itacare^b,t³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 117

25/1

Took advantage of a reduced mark when off the mark for this yard at Ludlow (21f) in March. Placed a few times since but his last 2 efforts have been disappointing.

Form: 2-43345

Republican^p1³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: O Sherwood| OR: 114| C

22/1

Winless since 2019. Shaped as if better for the run after 11 months off when seventh in 3m Kempton handicap last month but others still readily preferred. Cheekpieces on first time.

Form: 53F/54-7

Bluffmeifyoucan^t⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 111

50/1

Ended last term with success in an Exeter novice hurdle (18.5f) in February but last of 11 on return/handicap debut there last month. Needs to have come on a lot for the run.

Form: 37791-0

Huntsmans Jog^p⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Reed| T: M F Harris| OR: 110| D

40/1

Placed several times over fences last term. Well beaten in 2 chases for Fergal O'Brien this autumn but he was a hurdle winner earlier in his career and is one to keep an eye on in the market back hurdling off a reduced mark for new trainer Milton Harris.

Form: 2336-05

Iberio^p⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 110| C

5/2

Much improved in cheekpieces once sent into handicaps last term, scoring twice over 19f here. Runner-up off this mark both starts this term, latterly chasing home a next-time-out winner at Chepstow (19.5f). Possible he could pull out more now stepping up to 3m. Gets the vote.

Form: 7611-22

Bobalot^t⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 108| BF| D

25/1

Scored on his handicap debut at Chepstow (3m) in October but only fifth of seven at Lingfield (23f) last month. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 6234-15

Moonamacaroona^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 105

11/1

Winner of 2 of her 3 starts in bumpers but yet to get her head in front over hurdles after 8 attempts. Her reappearance fifth in a Sandown handicap was respectable enough but the suspicion is that wait for a first hurdle win will go on a bit longer.

Form: 72552-5

Non-Runners

Go Chique³⁵

Weight: 11-11| Age: 6

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Fountains Chief⁴⁵

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: A J Honeyball J: Rex Dingle

Forecasts

Iberio (5/2), The Changing Man (3/1), Apple Rock (9/2), Time To Tinker (7/1), Go Chique (7/1), Moonamacaroona (11/1), Presenting Jeremy (12/1), Fountains Chief (12/1), Moon King (14/1), Republican (22/1), Itacare (25/1), Bobalot (25/1), Huntsmans Jog (40/1), Bluffmeifyoucan (50/1), Invictus Smart (66/1)

A competitive handicap. IBERIO has had his latest Chepstow second boosted by the winner going in again since and he might be able to get his head back in front now returning to the scene of his 2 wins last season. The Changing Man and Apple Rock, who go in search of a 4-timer and hat-trick respectively, head the many possible dangers along with Time To Tinker and Go Chique.

Previous Winners

2021

Tip Top Cat

Weight: 11-2 |Age: 6

J: Liam Harrison | T: F O'Brien

5/2

Prize Money

1st: £6,753.002nd: £3,111.003rd: £1,555.004th: £779.005th: £350.006th: £350.00