December 08 / 15.40 Taunton

15.40

Good

Christmas Meeting 21st December Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4302.34
  • 2m 7f 198y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
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Christmas Meeting 21st December Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

25/1 (Won)

  • Win: £41.00
  • Place: £6.30

Form: 0P3-F4

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Well held when falling at the last on his handicap debut and he was tailed off when returning from a break at Wincanton; has a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

26th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:40 Worcester

Sure Listen

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Fiona Shaw

midfield, pulled up with one circuit to go, lame, race voided

12/1

7

26th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

14:00 Fontwell

Sure Listen

10st 7lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Fiona Shaw

It was over 3m when staying on best in a handicap hurdle at Taunton (good; 40-1) and the step up in trip was put forward as a reason for the improvement; 5lb is fair and he goes chasing with one point run (fourth) in the bag, but the drop back in trip might not be ideal.

10/1

11

5th Feb 2023

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

16:03 Hereford

Sure Listen

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Fiona Shaw

Having first run over 3m under rules when staying on best of all at Taunton (good) and 5lb rise isn't the end of the world; could go well.

7/1

33/1

  • Place: £8.80

Form: P3PP-0

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Belied 66-1 odds when third here in January but has achieved nothing since; visor replaces cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

27th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 5

16:30 Wincanton

Galactic Power

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Dickin

On a five-year losing spell and has proved far from consistent this season; runner-up at Taunton in December but subsequent form is dismal; unappealing.

25/1

12

13th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:15 Taunton

Galactic Power

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Harriet Dickin

Hasn't won since 2018, is well into the veteran stage and has become unpredictable; one of his better efforts in a first-time visor over C&D in December (likes it here) but has typically failed to reproduce that since.

33/1

8th

11

5th Mar 2023

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:10 Huntingdon

Galactic Power

10st 4lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Harriet Dickin

Veteran who is on a five-year losing spell and has shown inconsistent form of late; penultimate effort was okay but he's just not certain to repeat it.

25/1

33/1

  • Place: £7.00

Form: 42-34P

Last run: 54 days

W: 10st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
The odd bit of placed form but he's a longstanding maiden who comes here in no real form; blinkers replace cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

20th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

12:40 Exeter

Menapian

10st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Helen Nelmes

Has placed form but he's a longstanding maiden and is competing from 14lb out of the weights.

66/1

11th

11

21st Dec 2022

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:53 Taunton

Menapian

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Helen Nelmes

Has the odd bit of placed form, including 13 days ago over C&D when first-time blinkers replaced cheekpieces; however, he's a longstanding maiden and 6lb out of the handicap.

20/1

3rd

13

8th Dec 2022

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:40 Taunton

Menapian

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Helen Nelmes

The odd bit of placed form but he's a longstanding maiden who comes here in no real form; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

33/1

Form: 928-P4

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on his handicap debut first time back and then beaten 22l in a seller; opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

24th Feb 2023

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Warwick

Lord Bill

10st 5lb

J: Jack Wildman

T: Grace Harris

towards rear

10/1

7th

7

8th Feb 2023

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 5

16:40 Southwell

Lord Bill

11st 1lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Grace Harris

midfield, pushed along and headway after 3 out, ridden and weakened from 2 out

9/1

4th

8

8th Dec 2022

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:40 Taunton

Lord Bill

10st 13lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Grace Harris

Pulled up on his handicap debut first time back and then beaten 22l in a seller; opposable.

25/1

Form: 070/46

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Two Irish point wins in the spring; respectable first run for this yard at Carlisle (2m4f, soft) but Wincanton was disappointing (2m4f, good); blinkers now turned to and the ability is there to feature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

8th Dec 2022

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:40 Taunton

Killybegs Junior

11st 12lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Two Irish point wins in the spring; respectable first run for this yard at Carlisle (2m4f, soft) but Wincanton was disappointing (2m4f, good); blinkers now turned to and the ability is there to feature.

4/1

6th

2

17th Nov 2022

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

15:15 Wincanton

Killybegs Junior

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Two Irish point wins in the spring; failed to land strong support on last month's stable debut at Carlisle (soft), when wilting late on; might well do better on good ground and interesting to see if backers return.

9/4

4th

3

20th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 8y

Class 5

15:55 Carlisle

Killybegs Junior

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent, disputed lead 3 out, ridden and pressed leader last, weakened run-in

3/1

Form: -31323

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Looks handicapped about right but he comes here in good form and has nothing to prove regards trip or ground; solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Caspers Court

10st 10lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

Last win was off 18lb higher in March 2023; returns to a more suitable trip than the 3m last time but ran just the one race of any real note last year and he's an 11yo now.

16/1

5th

11

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Caspers Court

10st 10lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

led

16/1

6

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

16:30 Ludlow

Caspers Court

11st 1lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

Mark has never been more accommodating in seven seasons with these connections, and although winless beyond 2m6f under rules does stay further; diminishing returns since May's Newton Abbot second, however.

12/1

Form: 58P

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Three heavy defeats include one in a seller; blinkers applied for his handicap debut and has to rate as an unlikely winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

31st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 5f 192y

Class 5

13:05 Ffos Las

Octavius Sabini

10st 6lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Joe Ponting

No immediate progress for the switch to handicaps at Taunton before Christmas (3m, good; first-time blinkers, retained); up against it.

50/1

7th

10

8th Dec 2022

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:40 Taunton

Octavius Sabini

10st 3lb

J: Danny Burton

T: Joe Ponting

Three heavy defeats include one in a seller; blinkers applied for his handicap debut and has to rate as an unlikely winner.

25/1

Form: 4-PP91

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Found improvement from somewhere to readily justify strong market support at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft), and perhaps it was the new cheekpieces that helped; obvious claims off 5lb higher if as good again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

19th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

14:05 Market Rasen

Braganza Bay

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

All five career wins gained in Huntingdon or Hereford staying handicaps (one chase); cashed in a career-low mark to the tune of 11l at the former venue latest (good), to which the assessor's reaction has been swift and punitive; back to requiring a likely personal best to follow up.

5/1

1st

6

7th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:15 Huntingdon

Braganza Bay

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Dual C&D winner; not at best since returning from one-year absence in November and was particularly disappointing when pulled up over fences last month; needs a revival but is back hurdling on a tempting mark.

9/2

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

16:30 Hereford

Braganza Bay

11st 11lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Has won two of five handicaps here, hurdles and fences (C&D; good), but he hasn't yet found his form since back from an absence and now tackles fences for the first time since pulling up twice at the end of 2024; below latest winning mark but questions remain.

7/2

Form: 434

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Not as promising as the form figures may suggest since sent under rules and difficult to be at all confident about him now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

20th Jul 2023

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:55 Worcester

Dannystory

10st 3lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Harriet Brown

Maiden; pulled up over fences the last twice; little appeal back hurdling with a tongue-strap added.

66/1

11

5th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:23 Worcester

Dannystory

10st 2lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Harriet Brown

Maiden; tailed off on chasing debut and was pulled up next time; back from three months off.

50/1

10

11th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:45 Exeter

Dannystory

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Brown

held up in rear, mistake 11th

66/1

OUR TIP

Form: 7-5P6P

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Ultimately disappointing for Willie Mullins and appears to be going nowhere at the minute.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

11th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

17:38 Huntingdon

Wearapinkribbon

10st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Max Comley

In a first-time visor and making stable debut when edging home over C&D in March (good to soft) but then finished tailed off at Exeter (good to firm); hard to be confident about how he'll run here with cheekpieces back on but the ability is there.

11/2

5th

6

11th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

17:38 Huntingdon

Wearapinkribbon

10st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Max Comley

In a first-time visor and making stable debut when edging home over C&D in March (good to soft) but then finished tailed off at Exeter (good to firm); hard to be confident about how he'll run here with cheekpieces back on but the ability is there.

11/2

5th

7

23rd Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

15:02 Exeter

Wearapinkribbon

10st 10lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

9yo who snapped a long losing sequence on this month's stable debut at Huntingdon (3m2f, good to soft) when wearing a first-time visor (retained) on his first outing since wind surgery; 4lb higher today but could have more to offer for this yard; should be major player.

100/30

25/1

Form: /0/PP/

Last run: 688 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Flat and hurdle winner but pulled up in handicap hurdles in just two sightings in 2021 and now returns from an absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

12th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Argus

10st 2lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Alexandra Dunn

Right back to form with a close second at 80-1 in a Kempton Polytrack handicap latest (2m); six years since his sole hurdles score, however, and most recent form figures in this discipline make for grim reading.

16/1

10

9th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

17:55 Ludlow

Argus

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Alexandra Dunn

Veteran who has cut little ice over hurdles this season but he posted a solid second on the Flat at Kempton last month; he needs to back it up now returned to this sphere.

12/1

2nd

4

(2)

19th Apr 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Argus

9st 8lb

J: Thore Hammer Hansen

T: Alexandra Dunn

in touch with leaders, dropped to rear after 2f

25/1

Form: 74-P60

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

15

16th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

12:40 Taunton

Harde Fashion

10st 8lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Daniel Bourne

Went close on stable/hurdle debut in October 2021 but generally very disappointing since; not seen since pulled up in Hereford handicap last December and has too much to prove.

50/1

10

21st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

14:45 Hereford

Harde Fashion

11st 3lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Daniel Bourne

Maiden (0-12); continues to plummet in the weights after a somewhat tepid effort in first-time cheekpieces at Taunton (2m3f, good; 33-1) four weeks ago; safer to look elsewhere.

50/1

6

8th Dec 2022

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:40 Taunton

Harde Fashion

11st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Daniel Bourne

Form: -6333F

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Consistent enough but with a strike-rate of 1-31 he struggles to win; fell early last time; best form is over shorter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(1)

10th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:10 Chepstow

Alramz

8st 9lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Sue Gardner

towards rear

10/1

5

8th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Ffos Las

Alramz

10st 12lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

Just one win from his 32 starts and that was two years ago and on soft ground; ended 2022 tamely and he needs to have been revived by a six-month break.

8/1

7

8th Dec 2022

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:40 Taunton

Alramz

11st 0lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

Consistent enough but with a strike-rate of 1-31 he struggles to win; fell early last time; best form is over shorter.

7/1

Non-runners

Harde Fashion

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £560.30
Straight Forecast £911.24
Tricast £31053.13
Trifecta £4204.90

Selections

RP Ratings:

Braganza Bay

SPOTLIGHT:

Caspers Court

POSTDATA:

Killybegs Junior

Telegraph:

Dannystory

The Times:

Braganza Bay

D Express:

Braganza Bay

The Sun:

Braganza Bay

Daily Record:

Braganza Bay

The Star:

Killybegs Junior

WEST COUNTRY:

Caspers Court

The Guardian:

Caspers Court

Daily Mail:

Caspers Court

Daily Mirror:

Caspers Court