February 18 / 14.35 Taunton

14.35

Soft

SWRS Ltd Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4955.32
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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SWRS Ltd Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: P22-

Last run: 364 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won a low-grade AW handicap in September 2023 and was second in two maiden hurdles in early part of 2024, latterly in last year's edition of this race (soft ground); returned from layoff with good Flat run three weeks ago and has another big role to play today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

14:15 Chepstow

Cornish Storm

11st 7lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Zoe Hawkins

Won back-to-back handicaps at Taunton (2m3f, good) and Warwick (2m, heavy) during the winter but he flopped at Newbury in final run for Stuart Kittow; new headgear is now tried and he has a bit to prove on first run for new trainer.

16/1

5th

4

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

15:00 Newbury

Cornish Storm

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Stuart Kittow

2-2 since the cheekpieces went on, winning narrowly at Taunton (2m3f, good) but easier when making all at Warwick (2m, heavy); a collective 9lb rise demands more but should give himself every chance under a positive ride.

11/2

1st

3

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Warwick

Cornish Storm

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Stuart Kittow

Just held on to score in first-time cheekpieces at Taunton (2m3f, good) in December and now 2-11 over hurdles; only 3lb higher here but the slower ground is probably not in his favour.

5/1

Form: -46244

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Belied 80-1 odds when second at Lingfield (2m, soft) in November and has good claims if judged on that effort but was soundly beaten on his other three other hurdling starts and can't be supported with any confidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:45 Uttoxeter

Desert Halo

11st 12lb

J: James Davies

T: Richard J Bandey

No joy in four goes over fences and made a winning return on his handicap debut in this sphere at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) in March; bumped into an improver when second at Hereford (2m, good) last month and should be on the premises.

6/1

2nd

6

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

14:45 Hereford

Desert Halo

11st 10lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Hasn't taken to fences this season but came right back to form reverting to hurdles last time, gaining a hard-fought win at Plumpton (2m, good to soft), his first success of any kind; handles most ground and 3lb rise leaves him still well treated on the pick of last season's hurdling form; leading contender.

4/1

1st

2

9th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

Desert Halo

11st 12lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Very well handicapped if judged on pick of last season's hurdling form but chasing has not gone to plan this term (four attempts) and his overall strike-rate is now 0-14; needs to turn a corner.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal from point-winning close relative of high-class staying hurdler Sam Spinner; worth a glance in the betting but entitled to benefit from today's debut outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Warwick

I Like Ike

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Soundly beaten in 2m maiden hurdle at Taunton; likely one for handicaps later on.

50/1

3

18th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:35 Taunton

I Like Ike

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

First foal from point-winning close relative of high-class staying hurdler Sam Spinner; worth a glance in the betting but entitled to benefit from today's debut outing.

25/1

Form: 30-73 BF

Last run: 92 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed ability in all three bumpers last year and when third of five in mares' novice hurdle at Exeter (2m2f, good) in November; needs to build on that performance here but has the potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

19:00 Newton Abbot

Blacksamssenorita

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Hurdle/chase winner; her jumping left a bit to be desired back over hurdles in new blinkers at Exeter a month ago (2m, good; no match for the 8l winner) and Brendan Powell presumably prefers the chances of stablemate Ellerton.

5/1

2nd

2

7th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:10 Exeter

Blacksamssenorita

11st 9lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Won a maiden hurdle here last season on good to firm and beat four rivals on chase debut at Uttoxeter in November (2m, heavy); the wheels have come off but she's back hurdling now and with blinkers given a go; not ruled out.

11/2

3rd

3

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 4

16:30 Chepstow

Blacksamssenorita

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Maiden hurdle winner (2m, good to soft) who scored on her chase debut at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy) in November; she didn't jump well when pulled up at Wincanton on Boxing Day and has something to prove on the back of that, but she remains of interest in view of her previous promise.

4/1

Form: 765

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Maiden pointer; bettered last month's inauspicious hurdle debut when respectable fifth over C&D (soft) a fortnight ago but needs to take another big step forward today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:42 Ffos Las

Whatmakes Honey B

10st 12lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Harriet Brown

Ended last season with a breakthrough win at Taunton (2m3f) but she's offered little this season, a well-held sixth back at Taunton (3m) last month; not easy to make a case for.

25/1

6th

6

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:45 Taunton

Whatmakes Honey B

11st 5lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Harriet Brown

Experienced pointer who won a Taunton hurdle race (2m3f, good) off 1lb higher last March; returned to form when fourth over that C&D (heavy) last month but pulled up (reportedly lame) on chase debut four weeks ago; unraced beyond 2m5f under rules.

12/1

3

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

15:50 Wincanton

Whatmakes Honey B

11st 1lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Harriet Brown

Experienced pointer who won a Taunton handicap hurdle (2m3f, good) off 1lb higher in March; returned to form when fourth over that C&D (heavy) three weeks ago; could be interesting on this chase debut under rules.

6/1

Form: 66

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual 1m4f AW winner at a lowly level for Charlie Fellowes in January 2024 but has not shown a great deal on his two hurdling starts for Kevin Bishop this winter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:20 Ffos Las

Bradman

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Kevin Bishop

Struck form with two 2m3f wins at Fontwell (good to soft/soft) this winter, and may not have been suited by heavy ground when disappointing on latest outing (2m4f); could have a say if suited by this new trip.

7/1

6th

5

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

15:03 Wincanton

Bradman

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Kevin Bishop

Dual Flat winner who has come good over hurdles with wins at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft/soft) on last two starts; up another 6lb but that was a smooth success last time and he's open to more progress; highly respected in hat-trick bid.

11/4

Form: 755

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not disgraced when fifth of ten against own age-group at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) two weeks ago, his second hurdling start, but needs the first-time cheekpieces to generate significant improvement here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

19th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Flash In The Pan

10st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Kathy Turner

First run over this sort of trip when springing a 50-1 surprise at Hereford in October; proved it was no fluke when third at that track (also 3m2f, good) a fortnight ago; latter form looks solid and he's unexposed as a stayer; player despite potential ground query.

14/1

1st

6

13th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

15:42 Hereford

Flash In The Pan

11st 5lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Kathy Turner

Placed for the first time when third at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in March on handicap debut but Fontwell was disappointing after a break.

14/1

5

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

17:20 Fontwell

Flash In The Pan

10st 9lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Kathy Turner

0-6 but placed for the first time when third at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in March on handicap debut; still early days and may find improvement.

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Did not live up to his smart Flat pedigree during three-race spell in France in the autumn but was placed in Compiegne maiden (1m6f, heavy) on his second start; subsequently changed hands for 32,000euros; the market may guide before this stable/hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

18:00 Taunton

Public Enemy

11st 7lb

J: James Robottom

T: Anthony Honeyball

Won good-ground maiden and novice hurdles last spring but he hasn't fired in handicaps, including in a tongue-tie on his last two starts and with added cheekpieces (now swapped for a visor) at Plumpton a fortnight ago; handicapper is trying to help but others look safer.

14/1

5th

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

16:55 Plumpton

Public Enemy

11st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Won good-ground maiden (C&D) and novice hurdles last spring but he ran poorly on handicap debut here in between and his form at this level since hasn't borne much fruit (first-time tongue-tie latest, blinkers now added); however, he may well do better on second run back from a break with Sam Twiston-Davies taking over.

6/1

8th

2

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

15:10 Taunton

Public Enemy

12st 0lb

J: James Robottom

T: Anthony Honeyball

French recruit who scored twice (at around 2m) for his current yard last spring; not discredited when fourth at Newton Abbot on his return in October but he came in last of seven in 2m Exeter handicap the following month; needs to take a big step forward in a first-time tongue tie.

20/1

Form: 7

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair on the Flat at up to 1m2f for George Boughey (three wins) but made low-key stable/hurdle debut when seventh (behind Whatmakes Honey B) in C&D mares' novice a fortnight ago; needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(3)

10th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 201y

Class 4

16:30 Salisbury

Organic

10st 2lb

J: David Probert

T: Neil Mulholland

Three-time winner for George Boughey last year, latterly in a seller; has struggled over hurdles for this yard (past twice in cheekpieces) and returns to the Flat weighted to her best; needs a major revival.

33/1

7

31st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

19:00 Stratford

Organic

11st 1lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Developed into fairly useful Flat racer for George Boughey in 2024 (three wins); soundly beaten in all five hurdle races for new stable this year, the last twice in handicaps, but heavy ground would not have suited on her latest outing (first-time cheekpieces) and there is still hope she can transfer some of that Flat ability to this code; watch the betting.

9/1

Non-runners

Pretty Punctual, The Goose, Zaochen Enki

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cornish Storm

The Times:

Public Enemy

Daily Mirror:

Blacksamssenorita

D Express:

Public Enemy

The Star:

Public Enemy

RP RATINGS:

Cornish Storm

POSTDATA:

Cornish Storm

Telegraph:

Cornish Storm

The Guardian:

Cornish Storm

Daily Mail:

Cornish Storm

The Sun:

Cornish Storm

Daily Record:

Cornish Storm