INSIDE MAN 12.20 Taunton at 1/2

Kings College Taunton Junior "National Hunt" Hurdle

Pedigree

€15,000 Y; third living foal; brother to bumper winner Rocking Man, half-brother to French 2m1f/2m3f hurdle winner Great Escape; dam lightly raced French 2m1f/2m2f hurdle winner, half-sister to French 2m5f chase winner Short Cut

The Racing Horse Composite 

Trainer Form: 4-32 for 13%          (10)
National average: 13%               (10)
Course Strike Rate: 8%               (9)
RPR: 111                            (10)
Optimum Ground: Soft                (10)      
Optimum Distance: 2m+               (10)
Jockey: David Noonan                (10)
National Average: 6%                 (9)
Course Strike Rate: 7%               (9)
Trainer & Jockey Combo: 12%         (10)
Total:                              (97)

Increased emphasis on young talent

Jane Williams said a family tragedy and life-changing injury to son, and assistant trainer, Chester weighed heavily on the yard's horses and performances last season, but she hopes the new campaign will be brighter as she prepares to send out her best team of young horses. The trainer confirmed an increased emphasis on young talent with around 70% of the yard's horses aged 4 or younger. Among the most exciting is Autho Celtic, the first colt Williams will train. The 3yo heads a strong team of juvenile hurdlers – a division the yard do particularly well in.

Form massively boosted

She looks to have found a good one in Inside Man (€15,000 yearling) who is from a good family and made a really positive start when runner-up in a juvenile at Wincanton 46 days ago. He's a half-brother to French 2m1f/2m3f hurdle winner Great Escape, so should stay a bit further in time. In that Class 4 Juvenile Hurdle he was ran prominently then led 3 out and then went clear with the winner 2 out but wandered around approaching the last. He kept on to be beaten just ¾l by the Paul Nicholls 4/5 favourite who was far more experienced.

That form has been boosted by the winner since winning an Aintree Listed Race and the Pacafi must be so hard to beat with a clear round! Ironically, Jane Williams also trained the 3yo second for that Listed Race giving credence to our young talent views in the first paragraph!

 Timeform View

 INSIDE MAN pulled clear with a subsequent listed winner on debut and he should make no mistake at the second attempt. Kingly Fighter and Outside Half look the most appealing of the numerous newcomers in opposition.

PACAFI Results 2023.