Southwell and Taunton previews: Sweet on the chances of Candy

The Charlie Wallis trained gelding was in terrific form last spring when rattling up a hat-trick, winning twice over course and distance off marks of 64 and 69 before scoring at Lingfield off 75.

Colourbearer has failed to trouble the judge in eight subsequent outings, but as a result the nine-year-old is now able to race off a reduced rating just 67.

That is 8lb lower than when last victorious, and gives Colourbearer a big shout at the weights.

Although Colourbearer has not been at his best in two starts after 103 days on the sidelines, those runs have been on the polytrack at Chelmsford and Lingfield and the return to the fibresand surface is likely to see him in a far better light.

Colourbearer is a three-time winner on it, and another plus is that there are plenty of trailblazers in the field, which should ensure the veteran gets the strong gallop he needs to be seen to best effect.

Southwell selections

14.00: Kay Sera
14.30: Colourbearer (NB)
15.00: Patriotic
15.30: Playful Dude
16.00: Deep Resolve
16.30: Zed Candy Girl (NAP)

Red can prove the Master at Taunton

Master Red can take advantage of what looks a lenient mark to make a winning debut for trainer David Pipe in the 2m handicap hurdle at Taunton today (15.45).

The gelding looked a smart prospect in 2013/14 when trained by Donald McCain, scoring twice in bumpers before going on to land novice hurdles at Newcastle and Wetherby.

In the last of those successes, Master Red easily beat Fantasy King by nine lengths off an official rating of 128.

The seven-year-old is now able to race off 4lb lower, and that makes Master Red look potentially very well-treated.

Pipe also has a knack of getting improvement out of horses joining his yard from other trainers and, although Master Red has often been left down by his jumping, the son of Red Club remains relatively lightly raced and unexposed.

Master Red does have an absence of 444 days to overcome, but fitness is unlikely to be an issue given connections and, with Tom Scudamore in the saddle, everything points to a huge run.

Glendermot primed to open account

Glendermot ran really well when runner-up last time out and can go one better to open his account in the 2m 7f handicap hurdle that opens proceedings (14.15).

The Paul Cowely trained seven-year-old was well held in three runs in novice hurdle, but has shown improved form in his last two starts since going down the handicap route.

After finishing an eye-catching fourth at Southwell, Glendermot posted a career-best effort when chasing home Dandy Duke at Huntingdon last month.

Although no match for the easy 11 length winner, the gelding stuck to the task well and it was an effort which suggested his current mark of 94 was exploitable.

The son of Portrait Gallery is clearly going the right way and, in a race lacking any real strength in depth, Glendermot looks to have been found a nice opportunity to bag a first success under rules.

Taunton selections

14.15: Glendermot (NB)
14.45: Bloody Mary
15.15: Gallic Warrior
15.45: Master Red (NAP)
16.15: Tour Des Champs
16.45: Jully Les Buxy

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