February 04 / 13.55 Taunton

13.55

Soft

Gold Cup Lunch 14th March Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5545.05
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
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Gold Cup Lunch 14th March Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 52-231 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of 231 since switched to hurdles, showing clear improvement at Exeter (2m, soft; again jumped right) most recently; respected on handicap debut, with further progress plausible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:27 Kempton

Saint Anapolino

12st 2lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Three-time hurdle winner (once here) who has made the frame in all three chases, most recently when third of six at Exeter (3m, good to soft) last month; likely to make his presence felt again here.

13/2

6

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

13:15 Cheltenham

Saint Anapolino

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Made very good progress in early part of this year, looking well suited by step up to 2m5f (from 2m) when completing hat-trick at Kempton (good to soft) in February; below form after making jumping error there in March but may improve again this season; respected.

14/1

6th

6

15th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:45 Kempton

Saint Anapolino

11st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

midfield, headway on inner when bad mistake 7th

3/1

16/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: /F-328

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Both handicap starts at Wincanton, promising second to Phoenix Risen then below par (race possibly came too soon) nine days later; rested almost six weeks and not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:08 Uttoxeter

Walk On High

11st 2lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Low-mileage 9yo who completed a hurdle hat-trick when landing a Plumpton handicap (2m4f, good) in November; his winning streak came to an end at Taunton (last of five) in January but that was a Class 2 event and he travelled well to a point; returns after another break but he's out of a useful chaser and should have a future at this new discipline; needs a close look.

7/1

5th

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Taunton

Walk On High

10st 12lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Harry Fry

Low-mileage and consistent 9yo; odds-on in winning two minor races last spring (heavy/good) and back from 170 days off to take a Plumpton handicap (2m4f, good) without too much fuss; only 5lb higher and subsequent break might be a good thing.

5/4

1st

1

17th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

17:55 Uttoxeter

Walk On High

11st 10lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Harry Fry

Easy Newton Abbot maiden winner in the returning hood latest (2m3f, heavy), running back up to his previous best form level; more on under a penalty, but player assuming good ground is coped with.

6/5

OUR TIP

12/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: -P4714 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Gained his French hurdles wins at 2m2f on testing ground; seemed to find 1m7f on the sharp side on debut for Harry Derham and this scenario may be inadequate too.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:15 Wetherby

Ninth Loch

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won over hurdles at Chepstow (2m, good) in April and runner-up at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) 11 days later on final run for Harry Derham; takes on proven chasers on first outing over fences but he's only six and it will be interesting to see how he goes in the market on stable debut; tongue-tie goes on.

10/1

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:15 Wetherby

Ninth Loch

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won over hurdles at Chepstow (2m, good) in April and runner-up at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) 11 days later on final run for Harry Derham; takes on proven chasers on first outing over fences but he's only six and it will be interesting to see how he goes in the market on stable debut; tongue-tie goes on.

10/1

2nd

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:45 Ffos Las

Ninth Loch

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

led, 3 lengths ahead last, kept on but headed towards finish

7/1

Form: 33-10

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Disappointing at Ascot last time and ideally needs to settle better; however, he won at Wincanton (1m7f, soft; handicap debut) earlier in December and Flat form suggests he can rate higher still.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(9)

2nd Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Move

10st 12lb

J: Mr Liam McGaffin

T: Christopher Kellett

Flat (1m4f) and hurdle winner (1m7f), but he's been out of sorts under both codes in seven runs for his current yard; has lots to prove and he needs a major revival back up in trip; first-time blinkers.

33/1

9th

2

(3)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Move

9st 12lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Christopher Kellett

Flat (1m4f) and hurdle winner (1m7f) but he's been out of sorts under both codes in six runs for his current yard; has lots to prove and he needs a major revival back on the Flat; equipment removed.

25/1

5

(5)

19th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

20:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Move

9st 11lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Christopher Kellett

Won a 1m4f handicap for Richard Fahey in July 2023 and was subsequently sold for 215,000gns to go jumping; won a Wincanton handicap hurdle for Paul Nicholls last December, but hasn't achieved anything of note for this yard; makes AW debut.

33/1

Form: 1P-328 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Successful twice last winter and ran creditably in his two autumn starts this term, but difficult task and well held in notable handicap at Ascot on latest start; possibilities back down in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

16th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

19:20 Uttoxeter

Black Hawk Eagle

11st 6lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Triple hurdle winner who made it fourth-time lucky over fences when beating two rivals at Chepstow (2m, soft) in March; fell at the 12th at Hereford (2m5f, good) last month but he's was still travelling well at the time and he should have more to offer as a chaser; respected.

5/2

4

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 3

18:00 Hereford

Black Hawk Eagle

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

3-13 over hurdles; only his fourth start as a chaser when too strong for two rivals over 2m at Chepstow a month ago (soft; 3lb lower); this quicker ground won't bother him at all and neither might the longer trip; good claims.

7/4

1st

1

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 4

16:30 Chepstow

Black Hawk Eagle

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Second of four on chase debut at Stratford (2m1f, good to firm) last July and returned to form when third of six at Kempton (2m2f, good) in October last time; won on heavy ground on the Flat in 2023 but best jumps form has come on good to soft or quicker; in with a chance if conditions suit.

9/2

Form: 423FP/ CD

Last run: 706 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Two from two over C&D but badly lacks recent match practice having been absent for nearly two years; had further wind surgery during his time off; market instructive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

17

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

The Widdow Maker

10st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Joe Tizzard

Won in a small field at Exeter (2m3f, good) last March before 17l sixth in this race (good); he's run well in defeat on both starts this season but needs something extra if he's to come out on top today.

14/1

3rd

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

The Widdow Maker

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Returned to form with small-field win at Exeter (2m3f, good) in March, his third run after a long absence; only 1lb higher here but he wasn't at his best in veterans' series final at Haydock in April and may not be one to rely upon heavily nowadays.

10/1

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

The Widdow Maker

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Returned to form with small-field win at Exeter (2m3f, good) in March, his third run after a long absence; only 1lb higher here but he wasn't at his best in veterans' series final at Haydock in April and may not be one to rely upon heavily nowadays.

10/1

Form: 321-1P D

Last run: 199 days

W: 12st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Steadily progressive over hurdles for David Pipe until form dipped in a major summer handicap; remains in same ownership but new yard; market useful, given the lack of recent match practice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

15:35 Newton Abbot

Manuelito

11st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Never really got competitive at Aintree festival in April but his front-running win at Newbury (2m, good to soft) two starts ago makes him of interest here and, after only nine hurdle runs, he's not yet fully exposed.

3/1

9th

10

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Manuelito

10st 7lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

didn't always jump with fluency, towards rear

12/1

9th

10

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Manuelito

10st 7lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

didn't always jump with fluency, towards rear

12/1

Form: 1/526-

Last run: 372 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Hurdles winner in Ireland; absent since well beaten in handicap chase just over a year ago (stable debut); hood now added; the betting may prove best guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(8)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:30 Catterick

Wasthatok

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Philip Kirby

Won over hurdles at Newcastle last November and when back on the Flat at Wolverhampton (2m, AW) in March; badly hampered and unseated over hurdles next time; still has mileage in his mark judged on old Flat form; respected.

5/1

16

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:30 Kelso

Wasthatok

10st 9lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Won easily at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in November and runner-up to progressive winner at Catterick (2m3f, good) in December; soundly beaten behind Judicial Deference at Haydock (2m5f, good to soft) in January but he's probably better than that and he won on the AW last week; not ruled out.

16/1

1st

4

(3)

10th Mar 2026

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Wasthatok

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Philip Kirby

Better known as a hurdler but was having only his second start on the AW when second of six at Southwell (16.5f, Tapeta) in September; now 1lb lower and could go well.

7/2

Form: 469214 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Brings positives as he's a dual C&D winner and beat Walk On High at Wincanton on most recent attempt at this sort of trip; the negative is that he's a lot more exposed than some of these rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

19:00 Hereford

Phoenix Risen

11st 2lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Fine on all ground; in a good run of form since the blinkers went on four starts back and this might not be quite so demanding as the Exeter race he contested last time; in the mix.

7/1

5th

9

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:10 Exeter

Phoenix Risen

11st 2lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Only blinkered this season and the aids are working well, registering a fourth hurdle win under a positive ride at Wincanton (2m, heavy); 5lb rise sees him on a career-high mark but he has to be considered; good to soft is fine.

5/1

1st

5

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

15:15 Taunton

Phoenix Risen

10st 11lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Two good runs in blinkers this season, latterly when clear second of 13 at Wincanton (1m7f, soft; unraced on heavy) in December; nudged back up to his career-high mark since but still commands respect.

5/2

Form: 22/2U3 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Tends to take a good hold but has proved consistent (form figures 12223) in completed hurdles starts, solid third at Haydock (1m7f) most recently; again likely to give his running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 2

15:22 Musselburgh

Admiralty House

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Sandy Thomson

0-11 since winning on hurdle debut in October 2022 but he ran pretty well when third at Kelso (2m, heavy) last month following wind surgery; he's in with an each-way shout if backing up that latest performance.

9/2

3rd

5

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:30 Kelso

Admiralty House

11st 7lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Sandy Thomson

He's won just one of his 18 starts and could do with settling better; however, he took a step back in the right direction when fifth of nine at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) on New Year's Day and has had wind surgery since; also effective on soft ground; might not be far away.

11/1

11th

5

2nd Nov 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

15:47 Carlisle

Admiralty House

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sandy Thomson

Maiden on the Flat; placed in three handicap hurdles last season for Alan King so has a race in him off this mark and new trainer (after £14,000 sale) has booked Sam Twiston-Davies; could be interesting.

15/2

Form: 13 D BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Generally progressive on Flat for previous yard and recorded a clearcut win at Doncaster (2m, good) on hurdles debut; unable to follow up at Wetherby but could still have more to offer; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

12th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

16:10 Hereford

Campaign Trail

12st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

He's returned from a break in good heart this year, finishing fourth at Market Rasen (2m7f, soft) before getting closer to the target when 3l third at Southwell (3m, good); entitled to respect.

3/1

3rd

7

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Campaign Trail

11st 4lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Made a sound return to hurdles after four months off when fourth of nine over 2m7f at Market Rasen six weeks ago, fading only from the last under a positive ride; remains unexposed as a stayer in this sphere (quite useful over 2m on the Flat); considered.

8/1

4th

1

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:37 Market Rasen

Campaign Trail

12st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Useful stayer on the Flat, but mixed form under both codes after an impressive hurdles debut at Doncaster (2m1f, good) at the end of 2024; not seen in four months but has a fine record fresh and remains unexposed in this sphere.

12/1

Form: 112492 D

Last run: 118 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Absent since below-par efforts over 2m4f/2m5f in the autumn; has a solid record (21124) at 2m over hurdles, fourth in a major summer handicap the final time; remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

1st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 3

16:28 Warwick

Mostly Sunny

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Consistent gelding who ran up to his best when third in a Class 2 handicap over this trip at Newton Abbot in August (2m5f); unlikely to be far away.

4/1

6

30th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 2

16:30 Newton Abbot

Mostly Sunny

10st 9lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Collected a good prize at Plumpton (2m4f, good) in April and has made the frame on all fourth subsequent appearances; can cope if the ground softens here and will probably be on the premises again.

8/1

Form: -67260 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won easily at Ludlow last February and finished second off this mark at Huntingdon in November, both over 2m; form dipped last time, not beaten entirely by the 2m4f trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 3

15:30 Hereford

Latin Verse

11st 0lb

J: Joshua Bryan

T: Olly Murphy

Has patchy profile but he's feasibly treated on best form and was disputing second when he fell at the last at Taunton (2m, soft) in final run last season; returns after almost a year off but conditions are no problem and he needs a close look on first run for Olly Murphy.

7/2

5

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:55 Taunton

Latin Verse

11st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Anthony Charlton

prominent, pressed leader 3 out

16/1

5

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:55 Taunton

Latin Verse

11st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Anthony Charlton

prominent, pressed leader 3 out

16/1

Form: /53-1P D

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Hindered by the soft going and racing too freely last time; may settle better in first-time hood but chance partly depends on how the surface is riding; both rules wins on good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:40 Uttoxeter

Intrepide Sud

11st 9lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bumper/hurdle winner on good ground; jumping has been an issue since his was switched to fences in March but he seemed to be getting his act together when third at Bangor (2m1f, good) last month; could be hard to beat off current mark if he avoids significant errors.

11/4

3rd

2

17th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

16:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Intrepide Sud

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bumper/hurdle winner on good ground; didn't jump well enough when safely held in two Stratford chases (2m1f/2m3f) in March but has been given some help by the handicapper and may yet get his act together over fences.

10/1

3rd

2

17th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

16:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Intrepide Sud

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bumper/hurdle winner on good ground; didn't jump well enough when safely held in two Stratford chases (2m1f/2m3f) in March but has been given some help by the handicapper and may yet get his act together over fences.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £76.00
Straight Forecast £62.34
Tricast £233.66
Trifecta £387.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Saint Anapolino

The Times:

Golden Move

Daily Mail:

Campaign Trail

LAMBOURN:

Ninth Loch

RP RATINGS:

Latin Verse

TOPSPEED:

Mostly Sunny

POSTDATA:

Admiralty House

Telegraph:

Phoenix Risen

WEST COUNTRY:

Saint Anapolino

The Guardian:

Saint Anapolino

The Sun:

Saint Anapolino

The Star:

Saint Anapolino

Daily Record:

Saint Anapolino

Daily Mirror:

Golden Move

D Express:

Campaign Trail