'He should be thereabouts' - Vaughan hopeful Young O'Leary can continue progress

Tuesday: 2.30 Wincanton
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Bottomweight Young O’Leary looks a good starting point based on a last-time-out Taunton second over hurdles to evens favourite Nelsons Rock.

The seven-year-old will appreciate the return to chasing on only his second start for Tim Vaughan, and is only 5lb higher than when successful in a novice handicap at Taunton in March.

This will be just his third start over fences and he appears to have scope for further improvement.

His rider David Prichard, who claims 5lb, has caught the eye this season on three-time scorer Getalead.

Peur De Rien, at his best on good or slightly easier ground, should enjoy underfoot conditions, and is likely to have improved his fitness for a Worcester fourth behind The Mighty Arc last month.

The handicapper has dropped Oliver Sherwood’s charge 2lb for that defeat and he’s now only 3lb higher than when a fluent Kempton winner in March.

Jack Valentine, another who shaped as though the run was needed on his Lingfield reappearance, takes a slight drop in class, but would ideally prefer much softer ground.

That won’t be the case for White Moon, whose Wincanton win four years ago was achieved on good ground.

White Moon: is rated 28lb lower than when last winningCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Officially rated 143 at one stage, Colin Tizzard’s chaser competes off just 115 this time, and started a heavily backed 100-30 second-favourite when fifth to Favori De Sivola at Exeter last month.

He gave clear indication that he retains plenty of ability before weakening from two out on his first run for eight months, and has been dropped 3lb by the handicapper since.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Tom Lacey, trainer of Rosmuc Relay
He didn’t really show up on his comeback at Lingfield but it could be that he wants better ground, although we’ve been reluctant to run him on anything other than soft as he had a bad injury a few years ago.

Joe Tizzard, assistant to Colin, trainer of White Moon
He got tired on his return at Exeter but has improved for that and we are expecting an improved showing, and he’s down in the handicap. There is a concern that this trip of two and a half miles may be too short for him, but we’ll ride him positively and see how it goes.

Peter Bowen, trainer of Lord Bryan
He’s been doing everything right at home but has been very disappointing since he won at Market Rasen in the summer. It could be that this better ground may help but we just hope he can turn a corner.

Oliver Sherwood, trainer of Peur De Rien
He had a bit of an issue going down to the start at Worcester last time, which hopefully was a one off, but the main concern is the trip as it may be a bit short for him. He’ll like the ground, however, and jumping is his forte, so hopefully he’ll be knocking on the door.

Tim Vaughan, trainer of Young O’Leary
He ran a cracking race to be second on his return from a long layoff over hurdles at Taunton over three miles, and this drop in trip would be a slight concern as he stayed on so well that day. He goes there in good shape and should be thereabouts again.
Reporting by David Milnes

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