December 21 / 13.23 Taunton

13.23

Good

Paul Kelson Barber Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5990.6
  • 3m 2f 57y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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Paul Kelson Barber Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.13
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 33-434 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Ended last season with two creditable efforts in marathon chases and he returned from another break with a respectable fourth at Exeter (3m6f, good to soft) 19 days ago; takes a big drop back in trip but his last win came over 2m7f here in February and he could be dangerous.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

21st Dec 2022

Good

3m 2f 57y

Class 4

13:23 Taunton

Some Detail

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Nigel Hawke

Ended last season with two creditable efforts in marathon chases and he returned from another break with a respectable fourth at Exeter (3m6f, good to soft) 19 days ago; takes a big drop back in trip but his last win came over 2m7f here in February and he could be dangerous.

9/2

4th

9

2nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:10 Exeter

Some Detail

11st 0lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Nigel Hawke

Ended last season with two creditable efforts in marathon chases but he's not been at his best over hurdles and fences in his two runs this term; mark is sliding but he's still 3lb higher than for his chase win and has an overall record of 3-36; others preferred.

12/1

3rd

4

5th Sep 2022

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:50 Perth

Some Detail

11st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

raced in second, joined leader 13th, pushed along after 14th, ridden before 3 out, lost second before 2 out, weakened approaching last

9/2

7/2

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 312-27 C

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Found things tough in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham last month but he had form figures 3122 in his first four chase runs including a close call off 1lb higher at Warwick (3m, good) on his return in October; looks interesting on that effort and he's not ruled out on this drop back in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

13

28th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

20:10 Chepstow

Trixster

10st 13lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Respectable minor honours in three of his first four starts this season but well beaten next time and jumping proved his undoing on latest; now switches back from chasing to his first hurdle run since last April; 7lb lower than his chase mark and also wears headgear for the first time.

12/1

6

9th Mar 2023

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

13:30 Wincanton

Trixster

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Tim Vaughan

didn't jump well, held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider 11th

6/1

6th

2

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:00 Taunton

Trixster

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Tim Vaughan

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 11th, ridden after 5 out, mistake 4 out, made no impression

7/2

OUR TIP

12/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 4-2184 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Justified support with a clearcut win at Uttoxeter (3m2f, good) in his final run in the summer but he's returned from a break with two laboured efforts this autumn; has some questions to answer and he needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

27th Jun 2023

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

19:30 Newton Abbot

Premier Dtroice

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Katy Price

Seemingly back in good form at Warwick (3m2f, good) last month, where he battled on well to press Nickelsonthedime in the closing stages, but was last of five when favourite at Fontwell 11 days ago and it's hard to know what to expect from him here.

11/2

5th

3

16th Jun 2023

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 4

19:55 Fontwell

Premier Dtroice

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Katy Price

pressed leader, led after 1st, pressed leader when headed 3rd, ridden after 3 out, stayed on until no extra inside final 110yds

5/1

2nd

3

31st May 2023

Good To Firm

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:40 Warwick

Premier Dtroice

11st 9lb

J: Mr Zac Baker

T: Katy Price

Thorough stayer who was placed in two chases and a hurdle towards end of last season; probably on a good mark over hurdles but needs to bounce back quickly from lacklustre run over fences a fortnight ago; fully effective on good ground; unproven on good to firm.

8/1

Form: P9560P D

Last run: 31 days

W: 12st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Emphatic winner off a 3m2f handicap at Newton Abbot (good) in May but he's not come close to that form since and has been tailed off and pulled up at Exeter (3m) in last two starts; now 4lb lower than for last win but he has a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

30th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

15:50 Plumpton

Sizing Cusimano

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Returned from break with wide-margin win last spring but generally very disappointing since; last month's Taunton fourth (3m2f, good) was a step back in the right direction but he was well held in the end; others have more appealing profiles.

12/1

4th

1

21st Dec 2022

Good

3m 2f 57y

Class 4

13:23 Taunton

Sizing Cusimano

12st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Emphatic winner off a 3m2f handicap at Newton Abbot (good) in May but he's not come close to that form since and has been tailed off and pulled up at Exeter (3m) in last two starts; now 4lb lower than for last win but he has a lot to prove.

25/1

Form: 233211 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Ended a lengthy losing run with his front-running win at Stratford (2m6f, good) in October and he followed up with a game success over 3m7f at Musselburgh (good to soft) last month; this is a deeper race but he's only 1lb higher than last time and remains well treated on his old form; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

9th May 2023

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:20 Fakenham

Flying Verse

11st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: David Dennis

midfield

6/1

2nd

3

27th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

14:30 Perth

Flying Verse

12st 0lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: David Dennis

Ran out a clearcut winner at Doncaster (3m, good) but he reminded us of his inconsistency when failing to give his running at Wincanton; goes without Ned Fox's claim here and he'll need to be right on it.

7/2

6th

6

27th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:00 Wincanton

Flying Verse

11st 4lb

J: Ned Fox

T: David Dennis

Not that predictable but capable on his day as he showed when a clearcut winner at Doncaster (3m, good); clear claims off 5lb higher with Ned Fox again on board, but wouldn't want the ground any easier than good to soft.

4/1

Form: 5-31P3 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark in a 3m handicap at Ffos Las (good to soft) in October but he was pulled up at Newcastle next time before a well-held third of four at Leicester three weeks ago; only 2lb higher than for his win but he's now 1-15 and comes with risks attached at this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Faitque De LIsle

11st 10lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: James Evans

Regularly ridden by Lucy Turner, as when winning twice over 3m at Ludlow (good to soft/soft) last February and again at Uttoxeter (3m, good) in October; good runs have followed and another one is highly likely.

4/1

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Faitque De LIsle

11st 4lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: James Evans

Won twice over 3m at Ludlow in February and looked back in very good nick when scoring readily by 4l at Uttoxeter (3m, good) this month; recent 6lb rise does not look excessive; respected.

11/4

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Faitque De LIsle

11st 4lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: James Evans

Won twice over 3m at Ludlow in February and looked back in very good nick when scoring readily by 4l at Uttoxeter (3m, good) this month; recent 6lb rise does not look excessive; respected.

11/4

Form: 5P-673

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Point winner who is 0-8 over regulation fences and he's been well held in three recent runs for his new yard; his latest third at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) wasn't bad but he needs to find more with blinkers now tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th Jun 2023

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:00 Newton Abbot

Milanford

12st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Max Young

Runner-up at Taunton in April and claims on that but 0-13 as a chaser and only win came in a point more than three years ago; debut for Max Young, having been trained by the owner for last eight starts.

12/1

6

8th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

13:15 Worcester

Milanford

11st 8lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Syd Hosie

Nothing like the force of old and very inconsistent in recent years to boot; ran well for a long way when second at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft; refitted cheekpieces) last month but it's hard to tell whether he'll warm to the task here.

11/2

2nd

1

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:45 Taunton

Milanford

12st 2lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Syd Hosie

prominent, led 14th, pushed along when headed before 3 out, led again before 2 out

8/1

Form: 153-25 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Stuck to his guns when runner-up behind the favourite at Southwell (3m, good) in May but Warwick last time was disappointing as he can go well fresh and has form there; hard to win with at the best of times (3-36) and he was pulled up at Ludlow yesterday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

2nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:30 Ludlow

Boughtbeforelunch

11st 12lb

J: Mr Joseph Stevenson

T: Phillippa Taylor

Capable on his day for Paul Webber but an infrequent winner at the best of times and he was pulled up in a hunter chase last month after a long absence.

40/1

5th

3

2nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:30 Ludlow

Boughtbeforelunch

11st 12lb

J: Mr Joseph Stevenson

T: Phillippa Taylor

Capable on his day for Paul Webber but an infrequent winner at the best of times and he was pulled up in a hunter chase last month after a long absence.

40/1

5

8th Mar 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

16:50 Leicester

Boughtbeforelunch

12st 2lb

J: Mr Joseph Stevenson

T: Phillippa Taylor

towards rear, lost touch 8th, pulled up before 4 out

33/1

Form: 37/42-

Last run: 307 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Has finished second to good rivals in points and also filled the same position in a Leicester hunter chase on his penultimate run; now makes his belated handicap debut but he returns for new yard after 290 days off and still has stamina to prove at this trip; reservations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

22nd May 2023

Good

3m 3f 208y

Class 4

15:20 Ffos Las

Hotel Du Nord

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Keiran Burke

Quite lightly raced for his age and returned to form to make winning stable debut at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) in March; could have more to offer for new trainer but was pulled up at Wetherby last month and it's hard to know what to expect here.

6/1

8

6th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

16:55 Wetherby

Hotel Du Nord

11st 8lb

J: Mr Charlie Sprake

T: Keiran Burke

10yo who attracted market support on his stable debut at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) ten days ago and won by about 4l; he could have more to offer for this yard and is respected under a 7lb penalty.

5/1

1st

9

27th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:00 Wincanton

Hotel Du Nord

10st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Keiran Burke

Placed last year in a hunter chase and points; 33-1 when pulled up in a 3m2f handicap chase at Taunton in December on his only run for Bill Turner; kicks off for another yard with much to prove.

14/1

Non-runners

Boughtbeforelunch

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.90
Straight Forecast £12.76
Tricast £56.16
Trifecta £67.40

Selections

RP Ratings:

Faitque De L'Isle

SPOTLIGHT:

Flying Verse

TOPSPEED:

Some Detail

WEST COUNTRY:

Milanford

The Star:

Trixster

The Times:

Faitque De L'Isle

The Guardian:

Faitque De L'Isle

D Express:

Faitque De L'Isle

Daily Mail:

Some Detail

POSTDATA:

Flying Verse

Telegraph:

Flying Verse

Daily Mirror:

Flying Verse

Daily Record:

Flying Verse