January 18 / 12.55 Taunton

12.55

Good To Soft

Taunton Half Year Membership Available Today EBF ‘National Hunt Maiden Hurdle (Qual’) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4955.32
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
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Taunton Half Year Membership Available Today EBF ‘National Hunt Maiden Hurdle (Qual’) (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.60
  • Place: £1.40

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Justified odds-on favouritism on pointing debut for Tom Ellis in December 2023 (2m4f, good to soft) and changed hands for £175,000 soon afterwards; makes rules debut after a 412-day absence but her form has been well advertised by the runner-up in the meantime, and it will be interesting to see what Paul Nicholls can do with her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

16:50 Taunton

Just A Rose

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Made a winning debut here (2m3f, good to soft) in January 2025 but has not gone on from that so far; pulled up on her last two starts, she steps up in trip with a tongue-tie and cheekpieces both on for the first time; still lightly raced but needs to get back on track.

7/2

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

16:23 Newbury

Just A Rose

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Let down by her jumping in the Lanzarote last time, failing to build on reappearance effort; however, remains lightly raced and may yet confirm the promise of her Taunton win (rules debut) last term; not written off.

12/1

10

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

Just A Rose

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

midfield, hit 2nd

20/1

20/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Kept on for second in Larkhill maiden point (2m4f, good) last month and evidently has some ability but faces a tougher assignment on this rules debut; market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

17:15 Chepstow

Five Quarters

12st 0lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Kayley Woollacott

Runner-up in December in his only point and he's made quite a promising start to rules career with places over about 2m3f in maiden hurdles at Taunton and Chepstow; this step up in trip can help on handicap debut.

5/1

3rd

4

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:25 Chepstow

Five Quarters

11st 9lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

Runner-up on point debut in December and made quite promising start to rules career at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) last month, keeping on steadily to take remote second; it's tricky to gauge what that form is worth but he's open to improvement.

8/1

2nd

3

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

12:55 Taunton

Five Quarters

11st 6lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

Kept on for second in Larkhill maiden point (2m4f, good) last month and evidently has some ability but faces a tougher assignment on this rules debut; market may guide.

20/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 2

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden point last spring but probably did not achieve a great deal when well-held second in three-runner Exeter bumper (good) on rules debut in November; needs to take a big step forward on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:03 Worcester

Seymourjohn

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Point winner made a promising hurdle debut when third (albeit well held in the end) at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in January; not seen again since but returns in an easier race and should be fine on the faster ground; tongue-tie added; leading contender.

2/1

Form: 134

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won a soft-ground bumper for Paul Webber last spring and has made the frame on both hurdling starts for current stable, more recently when fourth of 14 at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) last month; ought to be right in the thick of things here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

15:02 Doncaster

Stones Throw

11st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Billy Aprahamian

Won at Southwell (3m, good to soft) and over C&D (good) in December and probably found the ground too soft when well beaten last time; on a career-high mark but a possible.

9/2

7th

9

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Stones Throw

10st 4lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Billy Aprahamian

Stepped up to this sort of trip for last four starts and won three of them, from the front at Southwell and Doncaster on last two occasions; those were all in pretty small fields, he has more to prove on soft ground (he did win a bumper on it to start career) and has been raised another 7lb, but this 6yo also has more to offer as a stayer.

11/2

Form: 25-32 BF

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Looked quite promising in bumpers last season but was turned over at skinny odds in two Plumpton hurdles (2m/2m4f) in the autumn and needs subsequent wind op to prompt some improvement here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

21st Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 3

15:10 Plumpton

Roman Roy

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

His best form is when pushing a classy horse close on bumper debut and he was later runner-up in a C&D novice; hasn't improved for wind surgery and was tailed off in an ordinary 2m4f handicap here last time; lots to prove now but this maiden race has no depth to it.

6/1

3rd

3

21st Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 3

15:10 Plumpton

Roman Roy

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

raced in third, not fluent 2nd, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced

6/1

6th

5

10th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

17:00 Plumpton

Roman Roy

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Runner-up in a Wincanton bumper on debut (1m7f, good to soft; tongue-tie); beaten at 4-11 and 2-5 in two novice hurdles here (2m/2m4f, good/good to soft) after a wind op in November/December; well beaten in a Taunton maiden (2m3f, good to soft) after a second wind op in January; may do better now handicapping.

9/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on Irish point last March (soft ground) but her other three runs in that sphere were not encouraging; seems unlikely to feature on this rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

7th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Clashmore Banter

10st 4lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Nikki Evans

held up in rear, not fluent and flashed tail 3rd, outpaced 8th, lost touch 9th, pulled up before 2 out

20/1

6

7th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Clashmore Banter

10st 4lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Nikki Evans

held up in rear, not fluent and flashed tail 3rd, outpaced 8th, lost touch 9th

20/1

7th

7

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

18:43 Hereford

Clashmore Banter

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Nikki Evans

Limited hurdler who goes chasing from 7lb out of the weights and she's hard to recommend.

25/1

Form: 12-8 BF

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Comfortably won Wincanton bumper (good to soft) on debut just over a year ago and subsequently came second in a Listed Newbury bumper (heavy); disappointed on seasonal/hurdle debut in November but had an excuse (bled from the nose) and remains an interesting prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 13y

Class 4

14:30 Ascot

Noahsgreatrainbow

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Harry Derham

Listed bumper runner-up who failed to win over hurdles (0-4) but went in at the first try over fences at Wincanton in December (2m4f, soft), when well on top late on to collect by 6l (5lb lower); since then he'll pulled up and finished 13l behind the winner when only three completed at Doncaster (2m3f, good); he's not crying out to be backed after those efforts but there's no depth to this.

2/1

2nd

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 4

14:20 Doncaster

Noahsgreatrainbow

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Listed bumper runner-up who showed improved form to win by 6l on his chase and handicap debut at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) in December; flopped at Hereford (2m5f, soft) subsequently but perhaps paid the price for chasing a strong pace and he could bounce back with a bold show.

2/1

3

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 3

13:23 Newton Abbot

Noahsgreatrainbow

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Bumper winner who flopped as favourite in his two hurdle runs (2m/2m3f) last season but he bled from the nose on both occasions; had wind surgery since his last run and interesting to see if the money arrives for him again after 284 days off.

6/1

Form: 84

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on both starts under rules (bumper/2m4f hurdle) and can't be recommended.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Lyness Dancer

10st 13lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Sole win came over C&D (good) in May and has run well a couple of times since, but has also bled on a couple of occasions including on her chase debut back here (3m, good) last month; others more persuasive.

20/1

13

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Lyness Dancer

10st 13lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Sole win came over C&D (good) in May and has run well a couple of times since, but has also bled on a couple of occasions including on her chase debut back here (3m, good) last month; others more persuasive.

20/1

13

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Lyness Dancer

10st 13lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Sole win came over C&D (good) in May and has run well a couple of times since, but has also bled on a couple of occasions including on her chase debut back here (3m, good) last month; others more persuasive.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3-9

Last run: 84 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed minor promise in both bumpers, latterly when ninth of 14 at Cheltenham (good; first-time hood) in October, but is probably best watched on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

21st Apr 2026

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

18:12 Ffos Las

Aeroplane Blonde

11st 7lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Has a tendency to race too freely and is usually held up at the back; struggled to get competitive at Chepstow in February and now 0-6 over hurdles but interesting if judged on some of his form towards the end of last year; not out of this if first-time cheekpieces have positive effect.

14/1

8th

9

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

16:13 Chepstow

Aeroplane Blonde

10st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Samuel Drinkwater

0-5 over hurdles and his tendency to race too freely remains a nagging concern but his fourth of 15 on handicap debut at Cheltenham (2m, soft) in November was a good effort, and he caught the eye making a big forward move from the rear before his effort petered out at Doncaster (2m, good) in December; hood removed; tongue-tie added; shortlisted.

8/1

1

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

14:32 Carlisle

Aeroplane Blonde

11st 0lb

J: Mr Sam Burton

T: Samuel Drinkwater

First-flight unseat on hurdle debut but showed ability in bumpers and did likewise when fourth of nine at Uttoxeter (2m, good) in May on his second hurdle start; probably needs a bigger run today but not ruled out.

10/1

Form: P

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed no significant promise in three points last spring and was pulled up when 200-1 for recent rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

16:50 Wincanton

Eric Gorcombe

10st 3lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Poor in points and same story in first four runs over hurdles; much better effort when front-running fourth on handicap debut at Fontwell (2m5f, soft) last month but that was in a small field and this is a deeper race; needs to find more with cheekpeices added.

12/1

4th

3

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:10 Fontwell

Eric Gorcombe

11st 3lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Robert Walford

Poor in points and started three-figure prices for four runs over hurdles to date, finishing tailed off in two starts since back from a year off; Dawn's Desire looks his trainer's best shout.

14/1

8th

1

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:40 Taunton

Eric Gorcombe

11st 6lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

No show in points and maiden/novice hurdles.

100/1

Form: 0/67-0

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed some promise when midfield in Newbury bumper (good to soft) last season but was a well-beaten 200-1 shot on his first two hurdling starts (2m/2m3f).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

20th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:00 Warwick

Grand Sabre

11st 1lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Nick Gifford

His sole success came here (3m, good) last May off this mark but he's been disappointing since; first-time cheekpieces are applied on his first run for five months and they need to spark him back to form.

8/1

5

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

16:15 Fontwell

Grand Sabre

10st 10lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Low-mileage 6yo who left some very poor performances behind when staying on dourly to cause 22-1 surprise at Warwick (3m, good) in May; quickly back in the doldrums on next outing, though, and returns from 141-day break with it all to prove again.

20/1

4th

3

4th Jun 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:35 Newton Abbot

Grand Sabre

11st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Nothing to show for seven previous runs but he popped up in a small field when staying on strongly at Warwick (3m, good; 22-1) last time, with Moonlight Artist well adrift; that was just his second run over fences and his jumping was noticeably better; probably has more to offer, particularly over this sort of trip.

5/1

Form:

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in both Irish points last year but shaped with considerably more promise than eventual 44l defeat might suggest on rules debut at Warwick (2m, good to soft) in November; has tongue-tie fitted here; not ruled out each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

12:55 Taunton

Granemore Road

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Pulled up in both Irish points last year but shaped with considerably more promise than eventual 44l defeat might suggest on rules debut at Warwick (2m, good to soft) in November; has tongue-tie fitted here; not ruled out each-way.

100/1

5

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

12:55 Taunton

Granemore Road

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Pulled up in both Irish points last year but shaped with considerably more promise than eventual 44l defeat might suggest on rules debut at Warwick (2m, good to soft) in November; has tongue-tie fitted here; not ruled out each-way.

100/1

11th

8

21st Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

12:53 Warwick

Granemore Road

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Ian Williams

Pulled up in both Irish points last season and makes his hurdling debut against some very promising rivals.

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £54.00
Straight Forecast £53.52
Trifecta £464.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Noahsgreatrainbow

POSTDATA:

Stone's Throw

The Star:

Just A Rose

WEST COUNTRY:

Roman Roy

The Times:

Stone's Throw

The Guardian:

Stone's Throw

RP RATINGS:

Noahsgreatrainbow

Telegraph:

Noahsgreatrainbow

Daily Mail:

Noahsgreatrainbow

D Express:

Noahsgreatrainbow

Daily Mirror:

Noahsgreatrainbow

Daily Record:

Just A Rose