SIMON NOTT: Wincanton | On Course Report

Wincanton during lockdown has a strange feel to it. Of course the privilege to be able to attend was not lost on me especially with a packed eight race card.

12:10 – Lenny Roberts Memorial Trophy Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 1) (Class 4) (4YO plus) 2m 5½f

The opening race on the card saw plenty of support for Jeremy Scott’s Sizable Sam, available at 5/2 in the morning was sent off the 13/8 favourite flip-flopping with the morning favourite Paris Dixie which returned 7/4. The jolly looked to be going very well for much of the race but was ultimately no match for Paul Nicholls’ charge 9/2 chance Jeremy Pass who went on to win by 2 ¼ lengths. 200/1 outsider Iron Mike was a further four lengths back in third. After the race, jockey Harry Cobden told Alex Steedman that he’d thought that his mount would come on for the run, but that he travelled and jumped well today. He added that he’d probably not have many races this year but would be building up for going chasing. Ed Dark in the office was happy with the result, having laid £5000 the original favourite, a few bottles the ultimate jolly and a solitary tenner the winner.

12:40 – Lenny Roberts Memorial Trophy Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 2) (Class 4) (4YO plus) 2m 5½f

It’s not unusual for Paul Nicholls to fire in a quick-fire double at his local course Wincanton. It’s more unusual when they both win well, and neither were favourite. The market favoured the Fergal O’Brien trained Beyond The Pale sent off at 5/6 having been available at a shade of odds-against in the morning. Nicholls’ Zion was 9/4 second-in but won nicely under Harry Cobden for the yard and pilot double. Once again, news from the office was good for the firm. Ed told me that the biggest bet laid was £2125 at 5/6 on the runner-up, the winner wasn’t friendless but not well enough backed to make it a loser.

1:10 – Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4) (4YO plus) 1m 7½f

Little River Bay waltzed home by 8 ½ lengths – the 10/1 winner of the third for trainer Philip Hobbs. The well-backed Sashenka filled runner-up spot with Docte Dina back in third. Winning jockey Tom O’Brien said that his mare had summered really well, he added she was uncomplicated and had a good mentality for a racehorse but had been a little bit green when in front. It had been a quiet race in the office but Ed did report some each-way money for Poniente at 12/1 which looked likely to be in the frame at least for much of the race before weakening into sixth retuned a 9/1 chance.

1:40 – Join Racing TV Now Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3YO plus) 2m 4f

Cary’s Commodity the 7/2 jolly was the first favourite of the day to win, by a length from 40/1 chance And The New. Speaking after the race the winning jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr said that the gelding had a hike in the weights after winning a moderate race at Fakenham. He added that this would have been the winner’s ‘Gold Cup’ and that 2 ½ miles is his trip at the moment but if he learns to settle could get 3 miles in time.

The hard luck story of the race was arguably third placed Jeremy Scott’s charge Kissesforkatie. The mare, sent off at 15/2 made a rick and was hampered at the second-last then found a rapid turn of foot which would have taken her to the front given a few more strides.

2:12 – Racing TV HD On Sky 426 Handicap Chase (Class 4) (4YO plus) 2m 4f

It didn’t take long for the Scott yard to gain compensation when 17/2 chance Native Robin won the fifth under Rex Dingle. After the race Rex reported that his gelding had been in top gear early on and could have done with the going being a bit softer to help him cope with the speed. He added that he knew his mount always kept some back for the finish, he had a tow in at the business end of the race and that they were quick over the last couple of fences.

2:42 – Watch Irish Racing On RacingTV Handicap Hurdle (Class 5) (3YO plus) 2m 4f

Dollnamix justified 11/10 favouritism by winning the race before the penultimate for the Emma Lavelle yard under Tom Bellamy. The jockey said post-race that the winner is a jockey’s dream who travels well and does most of his work on the bridle. He added that he’s a big horse that doesn’t respect his hurdles and that he was a bit concerned as his came off the bridle sooner than he expected today, the slight worry being that he doesn’t usually find much, but did today. He reiterated that he felt flatter when let down and that he might need a bit more before running again.

Those of you that like to read about bookmakers doing their cobblers, please try and contain yourselves. The winner attracted bets of £11,000 – £10,000, £13,750 – £12,500, £6250 -£500 and £1875 – £1500.

3:12 – Visit racingtv.com Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4YO plus) 1m 7½f

Tamaroc Du Mathan made it a treble on the day for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden, returning the 5/4 favourite. Speaking after the race, Paul Nicholls said, although not the biggest of horses the gelding was a great jumper who needed decent ground and a flat track. He added that the horse had needed all the time in the world to become the finished article. Asked by Alex Steedman about his breathing, Nicholls said that it had always been an issue, he went on to say that he’ll go on to win plenty of races but his breathing issues could stop him becoming top class and that he doesn’t want deep ground or a stiff track.

There had been some shrewd money flying about for Jaboticaba this morning but was pulled up after being badly hampered when Scardura fell early in the race. After which his jockey Tom Bellamy said that his mount was fine but decided to look after him once the race was lost.

Over in the office, ‘Inlike’ Flynn, taking over from Ed giving me the bets said that they got away with a lump of £55,000 -£10,000 each-way fourth-placed Goa Lil but gave some back on the winner including £3000 -£1500, £1000 – £800, £2062 -£1500 and ‘Plenty of £500 – £400.’

3:42 – Bet At racingtv.com ‘Hands And Heels’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Conditional & Amateurs) (Class 5) (3YO plus) 1m 7½f

You’ll rarely see a more confident or cheekier winner than that of the last favourite Sehayli which won on the bridle for Johnny Farrelly under Kevin Brogan. Keen early on the 10/11 favourite won by ¾ of a length but was value for plenty more.

Flynn was the bearer of predicably bad news, they had laid the winner to the tune of £5000 – £5500 twice, but the book was saved by Oliver Greenall’s Raving Bonkers only managing seventh place after attracting a bet of £50,000 – £10,000 each-way.

Concluding an excellent day on the turf.

Simon Nott

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Views of authors do not necessarily represent views of Star Sports Bookmakers.

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Simon Nott is author of:
Skint Mob! Tales from the Betting Ring CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

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