February 04 / 13.25 Taunton

13.25

Soft

Taunton Racecourse Business Club Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4955.32
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Taunton Racecourse Business Club Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 210/51

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Returned from lengthy absence in December, seeming to need the reappearance run then making all for 12l success at Fakenham (2m4f, good to soft; added to 2023 bumper win); respected under 7lb penalty, with further improvement plausible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 2

16:40 Sandown

Go West

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Didn't jump well enough when well beaten in Kempton Grade 2 novice in February last time but had doubled his chasing tally with ready success at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks earlier, and will be dangerous if back in similar form.

7/2

4th

1

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 1

14:25 Kempton

Go West

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

5-9 over jumps; posted a personal best when winning novice handicap at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago, seeing off several challengers from four out; goes well with positive tactics; should be involved again.

11/4

1st

2

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 3

13:25 Musselburgh

Go West

11st 8lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Form dipped last time (unable to lead) but otherwise a largely progressive sort; penultimate effort has been boosted by the winner since; may well rebound, especially if he returns to dominating (all wins from the front); shortlisted.

4/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 5-333

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Four-race maiden who has consistent form figures and steadily progressive RPRs; ran well at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) most recently, taking hurdles record to 333; solid contender who has a good chance at the weights and could open his account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

8th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Not So Woolly

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Consistent five-race maiden who ties in with a couple of these opponents; however, chance of opening his account largely depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.

14/1

2nd

8

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:25 Taunton

Not So Woolly

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-race maiden who has consistent form figures and steadily progressive RPRs; ran well at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) most recently, taking hurdles record to 333; solid contender who has a good chance at the weights and could open his account.

9/4

2nd

8

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:25 Taunton

Not So Woolly

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-race maiden who has consistent form figures and steadily progressive RPRs; ran well at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) most recently, taking hurdles record to 333; solid contender who has a good chance at the weights and could open his account.

9/4

25/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: 46-R9

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
One of four runners for Paul Nicholls; made the frame in bumper here last March but has failed to back up that effort, achieving little in two novice hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

2nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

15:25 Exeter

Super Saint

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

pressed leader, lost ground when not fluent 6th, outpaced before 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out

7/4

4th

4

2nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

15:25 Exeter

Super Saint

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

pressed leader, lost ground when not fluent 6th, outpaced before 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out

7/4

1st

1

11th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:38 Sedgefield

Super Saint

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, carried right 1st

6/4

Form: 5

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hinted at ability with his fifth-place finish in Hereford novice hurdle (2m3f) and may do better with that experience under his belt; however, the bare form gives him a lot to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

16:50 Ffos Las

The Magus

11st 6lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Suited by good ground; 0-5 since switched to fences but posted a solid effort, behind a subsequent scorer, at Hereford (3m1f) most recently; defied a 3lb higher mark last April for sole hurdles success; could well open his chase account.

4/1

2nd

1

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

17:00 Hereford

The Magus

12st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Won handicap hurdle debut at Chepstow (2m3f, good) at end of last season; launched chasing career with two thirds in the autumn (2m5f/2m7f, good) but he's struggled in his last two runs; has quite a bit to prove again and is untried at this trip.

8/1

6th

12

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:47 Chepstow

The Magus

11st 4lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Won handicap hurdle debut here (2m3f, good) at end of last season and launched chasing career with two thirds in the autumn (2m5f/2m7f, good); things went pear-shaped very early on at Hereford this month and that run can be overlooked, but he still needs to prove himself on soft ground.

14/1

Form: 95

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Consistent efforts in Irish points; down the field in a bumper and modest fifth in 2m3f novice hurdle for new stable; looks likely to be more interesting when qualified for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

22nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

16:25 Hexham

Fortunate Fella

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Henry Hogarth

Signed off for Paul Nicholls in good form, winning a 2m3f good-ground chase at Fontwell where he was in front a good way out before holding on; just 4lb higher; bought for £40,000.

5/1

2

15th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:40 Fontwell

Fortunate Fella

12st 0lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Paul Nicholls

Still a maiden but looks set to make a better chaser after finishing a close second over C&D three weeks ago (good); stayed on well that day from off the pace and might well go one better.

15/8

2

15th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:40 Fontwell

Fortunate Fella

12st 0lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Paul Nicholls

Still a maiden but looks set to make a better chaser after finishing a close second over C&D three weeks ago (good); stayed on well that day from off the pace and might well go one better.

15/8

Form: 473123 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Had plenty of experience in France where he was a three-time chase winner, most recently at Cagnes-Sur-Mer (2m3f) in December; ran respectably returned to hurdles there last time; frame possibilities on British debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:32 Chepstow

Jaipaletemps

10st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Has won five of his eight chases since November (2m-2m3f); he has predictably shot up the weights and all wins have come under Rian Corcoran who was claiming 7lb or 10lb; therefore, has a lot more on his plate now he's raised in grade off a 5lb higher mark than last time.

8/1

1st

2

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

17:05 Chepstow

Jaipaletemps

11st 13lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Has enjoyed a fine time of it since returning in November (1131142); still 7lb above his last winning mark and although he won over a similar trip at Ffos Las, may be at his very best over shorter; shortlisted nonetheless.

100/30

2nd

6

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 2

15:40 Chepstow

Jaipaletemps

10st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: David Pipe

Four chase wins this season, the latest from off the pace at Taunton (2m, good to soft; also suited by soft) last month; needs to rebound from a duff effort one week later but further progress remains possible.

9/2

Form: 70-3

Last run: 75 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Had wind surgery and rested after first and second starts; last of three finishers at Wincanton (2m5f; hurdles debut) in sole run this season, again failing to back up debut form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

9th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:25 Taunton

Dino Magic

11st 11lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

in touch with leaders, prominent after 7th, led before 2 out, headed when mistake last

4/1

2nd

3

9th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:25 Taunton

Dino Magic

11st 11lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

in touch with leaders, prominent after 7th, led before 2 out, headed when mistake last, edged right run-in, kept on but no extra towards finish

4/1

2nd

1

18th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

14:45 Exeter

Dino Magic

11st 7lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

disputed lead

5/1

Form: 4-6

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Both starts over 2m on heavy ground, finishing fourth in Uttoxeter bumper (for Mel Rowley) then sixth in Chepstow novice hurdle; needs major improvement on bare figures.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

17:00 Hereford

Cornish Comedy

11st 4lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Made a promising start over fences when runner-up here (2m5f, good to soft) in December but he flopped when favourite at Warwick (2m4f) later that month; still has low mileage but he's been up and down so far and needs to bounce back at this new trip.

4/1

2nd

2

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:50 Taunton

Cornish Comedy

11st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

mounted in chute, didn't always jump with fluency, led, headed 3 out, soon lost ground quickly, mistake 2 out, just held second

14/1

8th

3

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:25 Taunton

Cornish Comedy

11st 2lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Both starts over 2m on heavy ground, finishing fourth in Uttoxeter bumper (for Mel Rowley) then sixth in Chepstow novice hurdle; needs major improvement on bare figures.

50/1

Form: 00/6-

Last run: 484 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hurdles debutant who holds poor claims on bumper form and badly lacks recent match practice having been absent for 16 months.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

17:25 Taunton

Hectors Hope

11st 5lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

raced in third, briefly went second 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, jumped right last

100/1

Form: 0-

Last run: 286 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in big-field bumper at Ludlow last April for Fergal O'Brien; remains in same ownership; best watched unless the betting suggests otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

3rd Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Wistmans Prince

11st 4lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Well beaten in a bumper for Fergal O'Brien in April 2024 and also struggled in two hurdle races for new stable this year (2m3f/2m7f).

100/1

8

3rd Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Wistmans Prince

11st 4lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Well beaten in a bumper for Fergal O'Brien in April 2024 and also struggled in two hurdle races for new stable this year (2m3f/2m7f).

100/1

6th

5

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

14:45 Uttoxeter

Wistmans Prince

11st 10lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Well beaten in bumper at Ludlow and novice hurdle at Taunton (2m3f; 150-1); difficult to recommend judged on those efforts.

50/1

Non-runners

Jurancon, Seymourjohn

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.50
Straight Forecast £3.47
Trifecta £18.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Jurancon

SPOTLIGHT:

Not So Woolly

The Star:

Go West

TOPSPEED:

Not So Woolly

POSTDATA:

Not So Woolly

D Express:

Not So Woolly

WEST COUNTRY:

Jurancon

The Times:

Jurancon

Telegraph:

Jurancon

The Guardian:

Jurancon

Daily Mail:

Jurancon

Daily Mirror:

Jurancon

The Sun:

Jurancon

Daily Record:

Go West