February 12 / 15.25 Taunton

15.25

Heavy

Royal Bath & West Show Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7815.88
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Royal Bath & West Show Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £16.00
  • Place: £5.70

Form: 28-4F3 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Decent course record, including second in this last year off 4lb higher; showed himself none the worse for his chase debut fall at Kempton in November when third to Celtic Art over 2m3f here in first-time cheekpieces (retained) last month; claims if he can build on that; has won on heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Aurigny Mill

12st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Goes well at Taunton where he won comfortably a month ago (2m, heavy; second run in cheekpieces), and has shown he can deal with this 3lb higher mark and this sort of ground; has won going left-handed and, with a strike-rate of 6-18 over hurdles, this 9yo is likable.

9/2

1st

2

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Aurigny Mill

11st 11lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Decent course record, including second in this last year off 4lb higher; showed himself none the worse for his chase debut fall at Kempton in November when third to Celtic Art over 2m3f here in first-time cheekpieces (retained) last month; claims if he can build on that; has won on heavy.

9/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 4-1552 D

Last run: 90 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Added to his good record under conditional Tom Broughton when second of 15 in 2m Cheltenham novice handicap (soft; yet to race on heavy) in November; off since (has had wind surgery) but he's gone well fresh before; reasons to be positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:47 Perth

Jack Hyde

11st 12lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Didn't feature in the Imperial Cup (Go Dante two places ahead of him) but back on track with his sights lowered when shading a tight finish in 2m Ludlow handicap (good) 25 days ago, taking his hurdles record to 4-12; has won over this trip; should remain very competitive off 6lb higher.

9/2

1st

1

30th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

16:27 Ludlow

Jack Hyde

12st 2lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Three-time novice winner on good to soft who has performed admirably in Graded and handicap company; didn't run much of a race in the Imperial Cup but he was single-figure odds and this wouldn't be as demanding as that Sandown race; tongue-tie removed; respected.

7/2

9th

13

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

Jack Hyde

10st 13lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Three novice hurdle wins last year (2m-2m4f, good to soft) and second of 15 at Cheltenham (2m, soft) in November when back in a handicap; also runner-up at Taunton last month (2m, heavy; would have been closer granted a clear run) when back from a three-month break (and wind op); each-way player.

14/1

Form: 29-24P CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Looked promising in early 2024, including a soft-ground success in this race off 4lb lower; quite lightly raced since but nearly won over 2m4f at Uttoxeter on reappearance in October; fair fourth at Sandown next time and presumably simply failed to take to fences at Exeter since; the first-time cheekpieces he wore in Devon are retained; engaged 3.25 Wetherby Wednesday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Into The Park

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Ran below his mark even when placing over the winter, and none the wiser as to his staying credentials after a subdued effort behind Tiger Orchid at Wetherby latest (3m); tongue-tie added on this stable debut.

16/1

7th

3

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Into The Park

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Didn't threaten on his two runs last month (2m/2m3f, heavy/good to soft) but those weren't bad performances and it's possible this half-brother to a 3m-3m2f winner will be suited by the step up in trip; on a reduced mark and he's not discounted in first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces).

8/1

4th

2

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 3

15:30 Catterick

Into The Park

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

He hasn't kicked on since going close off 2lb higher on his reappearance at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in October; also effective on soft/good to soft; however, he didn't run badly at Taunton recently and is not ruled out.

9/2

Form: 0-4463

Last run: 58 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Progressive form in three maiden hurdles around 2m on good to soft/soft, finishing third of 18 at Wincanton on latest eight weeks ago; has shown a tendency to race keenly but the likely stronger pace in a handicap may help him to settle better; open to further improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

13:45 Exeter

Constellation Walk

11st 6lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Displayed improvement when creditable third in Wincanton maiden (1m7f, soft) in December, his third start over hurdles, and subsequent fourth in good Taunton handicap (2m, heavy) was better than bare form suggests (nearly lost jockey after penultimate-flight error); doesn't help himself by racing too freely but has a good chance here.

2/1

4th

8

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Constellation Walk

10st 4lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Progressive form in three maiden hurdles around 2m on good to soft/soft, finishing third of 18 at Wincanton on latest eight weeks ago; has shown a tendency to race keenly but the likely stronger pace in a handicap may help him to settle better; open to further improvement.

15/2

4th

2

15th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

20:10 Fontwell

Constellation Walk

11st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Harry Fry

£95,000 3yo; half-brother to 2m3f chase/2m5f hurdle winner Menaggio; 8-1 and hooded for his debut when beaten over 140l at Chepstow (good to soft) in November; was subsequently found to have an irregular heartbeat and he can surely do better.

12/1

Form: -58121 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Has done very well over 2m3f here in recent months, winning twice and second in between; those results were achieved on good/good to soft and today's much deeper ground is a slight concern given he's been below par on both hurdle outings on heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

14:15 Chepstow

Celtic Art

11st 11lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Six-time hurdle winner who hit a personal best when scoring at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in January but his form has slumped in two subsequent runs; has bit to prove again and this is competitive on this drop back in trip.

14/1

8th

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 3

16:57 Wincanton

Celtic Art

11st 8lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Showed career-best form when comfortably winning from Bourbali at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in January and a subsequent lesser effort on heavy ground there is not viewed harshly; has been ridden by a good 7lb claimer lately, though, and might find others better handicapped.

9/2

5th

5

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Celtic Art

11st 1lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

Has done very well over 2m3f here in recent months, winning twice and second in between; those results were achieved on good/good to soft and today's much deeper ground is a slight concern given he's been below par on both hurdle outings on heavy.

3/1

Form: 5-046U D BF

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Yet to run here but has a good record on other sharp, right-handed tracks, including a win in the quite valuable Scottish County at Musselburgh last February; looked to have been primed for another bold bid in this year's renewal of that race (7-2 favourite) only to unseat at the start 12 days ago; has won on soft but yet to encounter heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Ayr

Welsh Charger

10st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Beaten only 2l when fifth in this last year and runs off just 1lb higher today (from 8lb out of the handicap); however, he hasn't been at his best this season and would be a surprise winner.

33/1

6th

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Welsh Charger

11st 3lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Yet to run here but has a good record on other sharp, right-handed tracks, including a win in the quite valuable Scottish County at Musselburgh last February; looked to have been primed for another bold bid in this year's renewal of that race (7-2 favourite) only to unseat at the start 12 days ago; has won on soft but yet to encounter heavy.

5/1

4

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

13:43 Musselburgh

Welsh Charger

10st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Didn't run badly at Cheltenham/Ascot on his two starts towards the end of last year, with mistakes not helping last time; 2-2 here (soft/good to soft) and has to be of interest now back at Musselburgh off a mark just 1lb higher than when winning this last year.

9/2

Form: 70-134 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Made a winning reappearance in Newton Abbot handicap hurdle (2m1f, good to soft) in October; switched to fences subsequently, matching his peak RPR over timber when fourth in 2m3f Exeter novice handicap (good to soft) five weeks ago; won his previous outing on heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

Spirits Bay

10st 13lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Ran okay when seventh in this last year and he reappeared with a win at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) in October; however, his subsequent form has been mixed (fences/hurdles) and Top Jimmy looks the yard's chief hope.

33/1

7th

4

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Spirits Bay

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made a winning reappearance in Newton Abbot handicap hurdle (2m1f, good to soft) in October; switched to fences subsequently, matching his peak RPR over timber when fourth in 2m3f Exeter novice handicap (good to soft) five weeks ago; won his previous outing on heavy.

8/1

1

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 3

12:55 Warwick

Spirits Bay

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Two wins during his novice campaign included a handicap (2m, soft); 0-5 last season but ran well at the weights behind Constitution Hill at Cheltenham in January and comfortably regained the winning thread on his reappearance at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) three weeks ago; up 4lb but he's bred for fences and looks a player on debut in this sphere.

11/8

Non-runners

Brentford Hope

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £63.30
Straight Forecast £50.26
Tricast £128.30
Trifecta £163.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jack Hyde

POSTDATA:

Brentford Hope

RP RATINGS:

Celtic Art

D Express:

Constellation Walk

The Guardian:

Welsh Charger

TOPSPEED:

Jack Hyde

The Times:

Jack Hyde

Telegraph:

Jack Hyde

LAMBOURN:

Brentford Hope

Daily Mail:

Brentford Hope

The Star:

Brentford Hope

Daily Mirror:

Celtic Art

The Sun:

Celtic Art

Daily Record:

Celtic Art