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12.30pm – Rose Of Arcadia
ROSE OF ARCADIA changed hands for £170,000 after winning her sole start in points and made an impressive debut under Rules when winning a bumper at Taunton last season.
She started favourite for her hurdling debut at Ffos Las where she shaped better than the bare result, and improved on that effort when finishing runner-up at Wincanton on Boxing Day. Rose of Arcadia bumped into a promising sort that day, and the third has boosted the form by winning next time. She sets the standard on form with further improvement forthcoming and is fancied to open her account over hurdles at the third attempt.
1.00pm – Numitor
NUMITOR had shaped well on his first two starts over hurdles this season, but took his form to another level when making a winning start over fences at Ffos Las in November. It isn’t surprising that he proved much better suited by fences, having the size and demeanour for chasing, and there should be plenty more to come from him. Numitor jumped well in the main and started to turn the screw approaching the third-last, drawing clear after and winning with any amount in hand.
The handicapper has raised him 7lbs in the weights, but that looks more than fair, and it will be disappointing if Numitor isn’t able to follow up.
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1.35pm – Natural History
NATURAL HISTORY was a useful and progressive performer on the Flat for Andrew Balding, finishing runner-up in the Group 3 St Simon Stakes on his final start in that sphere, so it wasn’t a surprise that he started an odds-on favourite for his hurdling debut at Plumpton. However, Natural History made too many mistakes to land the odds, failing to settle properly in the early stages of the race and producing some untidy jumps, notably at the second-last. He still held every chance on the run-in put was reeled in by another good prospect.
The feeling is that Natural History will learn plenty for that initial experience and much better is expected now.
2.10pm – Seaston Spirit
SEASTON SPIRIT arrives at the top of his game, winning five of his last six starts (over hurdles on his reappearance) and there could be even more to come yet.
He recorded a career-best effort when winning over three and a half miles at Plumpton last month, making a couple of mistakes at his fences but ultimately well on top at the finish. A subsequent 4lb rise isn’t excessive, and the drop in trip isn’t a concern either in what will be likely testing conditions.
2.45pm – Stormy Flight
STORMY FLIGHT was unlucky to bump into the unbeaten Bear Ghylls at Exeter last month and is clearly up to winning a handicap from his current mark. He ran up to his best but had no answer for a very well-handicapped sort, and the assessor has left Stormy Flight on the same mark, so there is plenty to like about his chances in an open event.
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3.20pm – Sametegal
A big-field hunter chase, but it isn’t as competitive as the numbers suggest and strong preference is for the Paul Nicholls-trained SAMETEGAL. He is now a veteran, but has been holding his form well this season in much stronger races, so looks an obvious choice now having his first start in this sphere.
Useful ex-French chaser Porlock Bay advertised his well-being with an impressive win in points recently so shouldn’t be underestimated.
3.50pm – Robin Des Theatre
Irish-point winner ROBIN DES THEATRE offered something to work on when third at Ffos Las and shades the vote over Sheila Nash, who sets the standard but is returning from 13 months off. She shaped as though she was in need of the run on that occasion, making most of the running and only losing second place inside the final furlong. Robin des Theatre’s starting price that day suggests better was expected and she can show that now.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Timeform’s Wincanton bet summary – Thursday, February 4
12.30pm – Rose Of Arcadia
1.00pm – Numitor
1.35pm – Natural History
2.10pm – Seaston Spirit
2.45pm – Stormy Flight
3.20pm – Sametegal
3.50pm – Robin Des Theatre
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