TAUNTON 16:15 147118

All 14 ran. Hurdles: 9. Race Distance Adjustment: +72 yds

Time: 4m 4.1s Closing Sectional: (4.65f): 67.4s (100.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 124%, Betfair SP 99.7%

A competitive event that had a good mix of potential and battle-hardened handicappers in the line-up but, with a few who looked set to lay down stern challenges coming down 2 out, the result loses a bit of solidity.

CAPITAINE (FR) whose yard is in flying form, looked on a handy mark on the pick of his efforts and, minus a hood and having had a breathing operation, returned to form to open his for the season after 3 months off; mid-field, jumped accurately, typically raced freely, headway out wide home turn, every chance 2 out, asserted after last; would have had more of a fight on his hands had Nube Negra and Misterton not come to grief, but he should continue to give a good of himself, especially in similarly big-field handicaps.

STERNRUBIN (GER) back over hurdles (hasn't always been fluent at his fences), proved about as good as ever after 9 weeks off though, because he was out in front, avoided the trouble that brought an end to a few menacing challengers and may have been a couple of places worse off were that not the case; prominent, not settle fully, upsides third, went on after next, ridden entering straight, edged out after last, kept on.

ANEMOI (FR) ran best race making handicap debut after 7 weeks off; taken wide, held up, mistake second, went prominent circuit out, ridden end of back straight, not fluent 2 out, plugged on; needs further improvement from current mark but that shouldn't be ruled out, as he should prove at least as effective back over further and is still lightly raced after all.

COURT ROYALE (IRE) took a step back in the right direction, the 7-week break seeming to have done him some good and he was unlucky not to finish closer, though perhaps only finished in the frame because of the late departures of a few others; in touch, badly hampered 2 out, not recover.

GARO DE JUILLEY (FR) after 9 weeks off, ran creditably on the face of things but he looks no more than averagely treated now and he was one of few that managed to dodge trouble at the second last; raced wide, in rear, jumped left third, beaten when not fluent 2 out.

FIESOLE back in a hood (tried in it once for previous yard) wasn't disgraced after 9 weeks off, but did inherit a couple of places after a few came down 2 out; held up, effort when hampered 2 out, not quicken.

ENCORE CHAMPS (IRE) making handicap debut (one of the least exposed), was already struggling when he got caught up in the carnage that unfolded at the second last; prominent, challenged 3 out, short of room leaving back straight, beaten when hampered 2 out.

SMAOINEAMH ALAINN (IRE) without usual headgear, seems to be in a lull for now, albeit shaping a bit better than the distance beaten suggests; mid-field, close up 3 out, ridden home turn, held when hampered 2 out.

SPACE ODDITY (FR) back over hurdles after a couple of non-completions over fences, got around but was well held, the run perhaps needed after 12 weeks off; raced wide, prominent, untidy 5 out, lost place before next.

FIDUX (FR) after 9 weeks off, was again below form but was allowed to come home in his own time; mid-field, lost touch after 3 out.

STORM HOME (IRE) did his bit to ensure they went an honest enough pace but was well beaten off again in the end; led, ed third, lost place after next, remained prominent, weakened after 3 out; he's got something to prove at present.

MISTERTON presumably amiss when last seen in the 2018 Betfair Hurdle, was in the process of running well when he came down late on and was sadly fatally injured after 12 months off; prominent, upsides 3 out, every chance when fell heavily next.

FLYING TIGER (IRE) went with all of his usual enthusiasm (over-raced a touch) but wasn't making any inroads when his race was ended through no fault of him own after 9 weeks off; held up, took closer order 5 out, ridden when hampered and unseated 2 out, starting to struggle at time; a really searching end-to-end gallop at this trip is ideal.

NUBE NEGRA (SPA) after another 3 months off, was in the process of running well when departing, going at least as well as anything else at the time; waited with, travelled smoothly, took closer order 3 out, going well when brought down next, looked threatening at time; has still only had a handful of starts and is patently suited by a big-field scenario, so would be one to be interested in for the likes of the County Hurdle (finished third in the Fred Winter last year), provided he returned from this okay, though he'd be touch and go to get a run.