15:00 Taunton

Monday 8 January 2024

All12:5513:2513:5514:2515:0015:3016:05

Stables Business Park Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 4m 54.8s

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Selected odds by:

Galahad Quest^t²⁹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 128

22/1

Bagged 2½m Warwick handicap but below-par fourth at Kempton (20.5f) when last seen out 9 months ago. Switches to hurdles for his return with his fitness to prove.

Form: 2/29214-

El Rio⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 124| D

9/1

Lightly-raced winner over hurdles but he resumed with a below form seventh of 13 in novice hurdle at Kempton (21f, good to soft) 56 days ago. Makes handicap debut with plenty to find on form.

Form: 70/1F1-7

Killaloan^p,t⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 123| C

11/1

Course winner who was fitted with cheekpieces for 1st time when respectable third of 7 in handicap hurdle at Wincanton (19.8f, soft) 46 days ago. Ought to be in the shake-up.

Form: 4111P-3

Mr Freedom³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 136

9/1

Likeable type who followed 4 wins over hurdles last season with a hat-trick on the Flat during the summer. Posting another good effort when unseated rider last at Sandown (16f, heavy) 30 days ago. In the mix once more.

Form: 54-233U

Getalead^t³¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Bryan Carver| T: K Pickard| OR: 122| D

80/1

Added to his tally with pair of small-field victories in September 2022 but below that level on 3 of his 4 starts since for Claire Harris. Others appeal more on his return from 10 months off for new stable.

Form: 116566-

Vicki Vale^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 120| C

7/2

Course winner who comes here on the back of a respectable third of 10 in handicap hurdle at Aintree (20f, heavy) 30 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 2421-23

Zoffee⁸⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 119

9/2

A fairly useful winning hurdler/chaser for Philip Hobbs in 2021. Since shown himself to be a useful stayer on Flat for Hugo Palmer so he's a player for his new yard back in this sphere off a reduced mark.

Form: 323F45/

Bashful Boy^p²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 119| D

40/1

Scored at Newton Abbot in July but only sixth of 11 in handicap hurdle at this C&D (good to soft) 25 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: F-19P46

Inca De Lafayette^t⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 116| C

15/2

Course winner who also scored at Wincanton on his return but pulled up in handicap at Huntingdon (15.8f, good to soft) 55 days ago. Something to prove.

Form: 3/6P4-1P

Just Loose Change²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 114| CD

3/1

C&D winner who arrives on the back of a good second of 11 in handicap at this C&D (good to soft) 25 days ago, despite conceding first run. Up 4 lb but form has been franked so he can go well again.

Form: 321-592

Bread And Butter¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 108

28/1

It's now 31 runs since his last win in 2020 and below-par fifth in handicap hurdle at Haydock (18.9f, heavy) 16 days ago. Others are much preferred.

Form: P65805

Ask Brewster⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 117

18/1

Won sole start in points and has shown promise when fourth in a pair of maiden hurdles at Chepstow this winter. Has more to offer now going handicapping. Very much one to consider.

Form: 1-44

Forecasts

Just Loose Change (3/1), Vicki Vale (7/2), Zoffee (9/2), Inca De Lafayette (15/2), Mr Freedom (9/1), El Rio (9/1), Killaloan (11/1), Ask Brewster (18/1), Galahad Quest (22/1), Bread And Butter (28/1), Bashful Boy (40/1), Getalead (80/1)

Lots with chances but ZOFFEE, a useful Flat stayer for Hugo Palmer, starts out with Olly Murphy on a reduced mark back hurdling so gets the vote. In-form C&D winner Just Loose Change rates a big threat, with Ask Brewster also well in the mix on his handicap debut. Mr Freedom completes the shortlist.