FOURTH RACE 3.45

THE JOHN ROMANS PARK HOMES HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3)

for five yrs old and upwards x Total prize fund £20000

Owners Prize Money. 1st £8078, 2nd £4038, 3rd £2020, 4th £1010, 5th £504. (Penalty Value £10562)

Leading course trainer (17-22): P Nicholls (82 wins from 296 runners, 28%) runs CAP DU MATHAN

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): P Nicholls (11 wins from 45 runners, 24%) runs CAP DU MATHAN

Fancy That: P Nicholls won this race in 2013 and 2019 The stable runs CAP DU MATHAN today. Longest Traveller: MIDNIGHT MIDGE trained by P Hobbs, Minehead, 60 miles.

1

DU MATHAN (FR) (17) 5-42311

Br B g Kapgarde (FR) - Nounjya du Mathan (FR)

O The Stewart Family

B Mr Jean-Marie Baradeau Morson Group S

TIMEFORM VIEW Dual-winning hurdler who opened account over fences at the fourth attempt in novice handicap at Taunton (2m) in January JumpedwellwhenfollowingupinanExeternovice(19.2f)17daysagoandcancompletethehat-trickbackinahandicap

2 THE WIDDOW MAKER (GB) (25) 23-423F C

Br Ch g Arvico (FR) - Countess Point Brendan Powell J

O Mr Sax Purdie Joe Tizzard, Sherborne T

B Mrs J. E. Purdie Coral Racing Limited S

TIMEFORM VIEWMadewinningchasedebutinanExeternovice(19.2f)inFebruarylastyearandbacktoformwhenthirdinhandicapatLudlow(2m) inDecember.Afteranotherwindop,weakeningwhenfell2outlasttime,butcanbouncebackreturnedtothislongertrip.

3 SHANG TANG (IRE) (292) P510/1-4 D

9 11-9

Br B g Shantou (USA) - Ballyguider Bridge (IRE) Tom Bellamy J

O T. Syder & N. Mustoe Emma Lavelle Marlborough T

B Jim McGee Hatherden Horse Transport S

TIMEFORM VIEWUsefulhurdlerwhomadewinningstartoverfencesinaNewtonAbbotnovice(2m5f)inSeptember2021.After8monthsoff,wasn’t abletoprogresswhenfourthof8inhandicapatAintreeinMaylastyear Absentagainsincebutheremainscapableofbetter

4 ANY NEWS (IRE) (19) 343-003

8 11-6

Br Ch g Stowaway - Kisskiss Bang Bang (IRE) Danny McMenamin J

O Jane Nuala Cartwright Neil Mulholland, Limpley Stoke T

B Aileen Persse & Hannah Persse

TIMEFORM VIEWBumper/maidenhurdlewinnerwhowentcloseonchasedebutatWarwicklastseason.Hasn’tgoneonashopedsince,butreturnedto forminfirst-timetonguestrapwhenthirdof5inhandicapatKempton(2m2f)lasttime Shortlistedwithcheekpiecesnowadded.

5 FLAGRANT DELITIEP (FR) (11) 3-P4463

Br Gr g Fragrant Mix (IRE) - Naltiepy (FR)

O Mrs Christine M. Hinks

CD 8 10-12

Mr Freddie Gordon (7) J

Robert Walford, Blandford T

B Michel Contignon & Mme Nelly Contignon Tote S

TIMEFORMVIEWDualC&Dwinnerbuthasyettohittopformthisterm,disappointingbackherewhenthirdof5inhandicap 11 days ago. Has dropped to a dangerous mark, though more needed to be able to take advantage.

TFRHHIII BHA119

6 MIDNIGHT MIDGE (GB) (27) 0-11623 CD 9 10-12

Br B g Midnight Legend - Posh Emily Ben Jones J

O A Midgley, R J Hodges Philip Hobbs, Minehead T

B R. J. Hodges & A. Midgley A. W. Midgley & Son Ltd S

TIMEFORM VIEW Won first two starts for this yard (both at Taunton) and bounced back following a below-par effort at this C&D when runner-up in handicaphere(15.7f)inJanuary However,lessereffortwhenthirdof6againatthiscourselasttime Capableifonagoingday.

TFRHHHII BHA119

7 HARLEM SOUL (GB) (27) 061315 CD 5 10-12

Br Ch g Frankel - Giants Play (USA)

Jordan Nailor J

O Syd Hosie Syd Hosie, Sherborne T

B Newsells Park Stud Sherborne Utilities Ltd, Steven James Hosie S

TIMEFORM VIEW Has taken well to chasing for a Flat-bred, resuming progress/winning ways in handicap at this C&D (20.2f) on Boxing Day. Raised 6lb for that success but ran poorly back here (15.7f) on his latest outing. Others preferred. TFRHHIII BHA121

DECLARED RUNNERS 7 2022: FLAGRANT DELITIEP (FR) 7 11 2 Stan Sheppard 2-1 (Robert Walford) 5 ran Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn first time by No 4. Tongue Strap worn by No 1, 2, 4.

Stewards Note: HARLEM SOUL: Following its run on 2/2/2023 it was reported that the horse was unsuited by the shorter trip

Probable S.P’s: 7-4 Cap Du Mathan (FR), 9-2 The Widdow Maker (GB), 11-2 Any News (IRE), 7-1 Midnight Midge (GB), 9-1 Shang Tang (IRE), 10-1 Flagrant Delitiep (FR), 18-1 Harlem Soul (GB)

CAP DU MATHAN has won both of his starts this year, taking advantage of an off day from the favourite but again jumping well when scoring at Exeter last time, and he can continue his progress to complete the hat-trick. The Widdow Maker could be the biggest threat back up in trip, with Any News completing the shortlist.