18:25 Taunton

Thursday 27 April 2023

All17:2017:5018:2519:0019:3520:10

Invest Southwest Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:26 | Winning time: 4m 15.32s

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Selected odds by:

Coolnaugh Haze¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Elizabeth Gale⁽¹⁰⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 110| D

9/2

Successful from 1 lb higher mark 12 months ago at Huntingdon and did all he could against a less-exposed rival after 4 months off under this pilot in that corresponding event 17 days ago. Could have a say in proceedings with that under his belt.

Form: 245662

Inca De Lafayette^t⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 109| BF| CD

7/2

French bumper scorer who made a winning British/hurdles debut over C&D last February. Has only run 3 times since and shaped as if amiss second time back at Chepstow at couple of months ago. No surprise to see the tongue tie back on.

Form: 4113-6P

Cornicello¹⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: David Noonan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 109| BF| D

18/1

Fair Flat performer on the level in Germany and on the up over hurdles for this yard in the winter, easily gaining second win at Wincanton in November. Unable to justify short-priced favouritism when last seen 5 months ago and returns from a 5 lb higher mark.

Form: F-41217

Kingofthewest^b,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 108| C

15/2

Dual hurdles winner at Taunton and Exeter last winter. Yet to improve on those exploits in handicaps this season but didn't get the chance to show what he could do in first-time blinkers at Chepstow earlier this month (brought down at the first).

Form: 0-3735B

Great Ocean^p,t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 106

8/1

Sole Rules success came over hurdles at Wincanton last January for Philip Hobbs. Easily most encouraging run for current yard when third there just over 3 weeks ago and drop back in trip looks ideal.

Form: 6-44UU3

Universal Secret³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 103

8/1

Belatedly got off the mark in a weak maiden hurdle at Wincanton in February and followed up back in handicap company 5 weeks later, getting the better of a drawn out battle from 2 out with a thriving favourite. Up another 4 lb and could be in the mix again.

Form: P58411

Naturally High⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 102| D

40/1

Dual Flat/2m hurdles winner. Off 14 months and has offered little in handicaps at Exeter and Fontwell this term. Hard to warm to.

Form: 7611-P6

Phoenix Risen^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: David Prichard⁽⁵⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 99| CD

4/1

Has got his act together since the cheekpieces went on, having plenty up his sleeve when opening his account over C&D (good to soft) a fortnight ago. Hit with a 10 lb rise for that success but there could well be more to come, so he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 66-0P31

Clay⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 89| BF

13/2

Fairly useful maiden on Flat for Richard Hannon and improved when third of 17 on handicap debut in this sphere at Doncaster in January. Not so good when sixth the last twice (let down by jumping most recently) but it remains early days.

Form: 066366

Forecasts

Inca De Lafayette (7/2), Phoenix Risen (4/1), Coolnaugh Haze (9/2), Clay (13/2), Kingofthewest (15/2), Great Ocean (8/1), Universal Secret (8/1), Cornicello (18/1), Naturally High (40/1)

PHOENIX RISEN bolted up over C&D a fortnight ago and a 10 lb rise may not be enough to prevent Jeremy Scott's charge from doubling his tally. He gets the nod over Coolnaugh Haze, who did all he could against a lesser-exposed rival at Huntingdon earlier this month and should be in the mix once again. Great Ocean rounds off the shortlist.