Dave And Bernie primed to give new trainer Oliver Signy more to shout about

2.41 Taunton
Stables Business Park Handicap Hurdle | 2m3f | 3yo+ | RTV

Taunton has a tendency to attract sizable fields but its sharp nature makes it difficult to make up ground from off the pace. At any rate, those looking to make a move need to do so before the fairly tight home bend, after which point the race will tend to get away from them.

That is worth considering in this feature 2m3f handicap hurdle, which has attracted 16 declarations, one off the maximum field size. Market principals like Sheshoon Sonny and Tight Call can often drop back, so have something to prove under conditions even though their recent form is beyond doubt.

One who should have few issues with conditions is Dave And Bernie, who won at Ludlow on his debut for Oliver Signy last time. His trainer has made a bright start to his training career, recording three wins since July from 21 runners. Dave And Bernie was already improving when arriving from Michael Barry's yard in Ireland, so there is reason to believe Signy can keep him on that path.

Admittedly, this is a much warmer race, open to horses rated a stone higher including a solid handful from top yards. Picking out a couple with form better than recent runs imply, Fair Mountain has come down 11lb since the start of autumn and did not run badly at Newbury last time. He now gets the vote of confidence of Harry Skelton retaking the ride.

Air Horse One has plenty of form in better races and seemed ring rusty on reappearance. Harry Fry and new stable conditional Lorcan Murtagh are yet to have a winner together, but have twice hit the frame from just three runners.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

What They Say

Harry Fry, trainer of Air Horse One
He's coming down in the weights which will be a help and he likes it around Taunton. It's just a case of whether he's vulnerable to an improving younger horse at this stage of his career.

Tim Vaughan. trainer of Tight Call
He's back in trip and on quicker ground which isn't ideal but he's been in such good form at home since his run at Ludlow that I have to run him. He's not a lover of heavy ground so we'll probably give him a mid-winter break after this.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Melekhov
He's come on for his first run back and should enjoy this better ground. He goes there with a decent shout in an open race.

Air Horse One (right): unlikely to go to the festival if he runs in the Imperial Cup on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Chantecler
He came to us well handicapped and we managed to win two with him in the autumn. With a bit of luck he can nick another and this looks the right race for him.

Oliver Signy, trainer of Dave And Bernie
He won well first time for us at Ludlow and has come out of that in great order. The track and trip should suit him and we're positive about his chances.

Tom Bellamy, rider of Sheshoon Sonny
He's got some good form in the book and this step up in trip looks as if it will play to his strengths. I'm riding him as Adrian Heskin is injured and thanks to the owners for thinking of me.

Evan Williams, trainer of Olympic Honour
He's a sweet, genuine horse but we have nothing up our sleeve off his current handicap mark. On the plus side, this step up in trip should help.
Reporting by David Milnes

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