December 30 / 14.15 Taunton

14.15

Good

Byerley Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £12529
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Byerley Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 11 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unbeaten in three starts, an Irish point, an Aintree bumper and this month's Fontwell hurdling debut, which she won easily; that was a modest race and she has plenty to find on the figures but going right-handed a likely help; impossible to pin down what the limit of her abilities might be.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

30th Dec 2022

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 1

14:15 Taunton

Credrojava

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

midfield, headway 5th, chased clear leader 3 out, nudged along 2 out, made challenge last, ridden to lead when hung left run-in, kept on

5/2

1st

2

6th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 49y

Class 4

14:35 Fontwell

Credrojava

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Point winner who joined current connections for £80,000; travelled strongly when justifying favouritism on rules debut at Aintree (2m1f mares' bumper, good to soft) in October; switches to hurdling and looks by far the likeliest candidate.

4/5

1st

3

23rd Oct 2022

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

17:05 Aintree

Credrojava

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

travelled strongly, prominent, led over 5f out, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on

4/1

15/8

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 122 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
No match for a potentially smart rival in a Newbury Listed event last month but beat the others readily enough and that form gives her leading claims; has made the running in all three hurdling starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 2

15:20 Chepstow

Shes A Saint

11st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced for her age and returned from layoff to win at Aintree festival (2m, good) in April; also ran well in two subsequent competitive handicaps and remains unexposed over this sort of trip but needs to kick on again to overcome current mark.

14/1

7th

3

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Shes A Saint

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Stays 3m so always needs a strong pace to chase at this trip, which was the case when winning so well in a big field at the Aintree Grand National meeting (good); never threatened at Plumpton latest but again ran well in keeping on for fifth (behind Our Champ); could well arrive late on the scene to play a part in the finish.

12/1

7th

3

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Shes A Saint

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Stays 3m so always needs a strong pace to chase at this trip, which was the case when winning so well in a big field at the Aintree Grand National meeting (good); never threatened at Plumpton latest but again ran well in keeping on for fifth (behind Our Champ); could well arrive late on the scene to play a part in the finish.

12/1

20/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 40-15 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Comfortable winner at Ffos Las in October but well held at Uttoxeter since; jumped right in both of those so going this way round a help but she needs to find a deal of improvement if she's to beat a few of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 198y

Class 4

15:05 Carlisle

Ilovethenightlife

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Just one win from her 11 chase starts and inconsistent this season but she ran okay in the face of a tough task when third of five in Listed race at Newbury (2m7f, good to soft) three weeks ago; capable of having a big say now back in a handicap.

7/2

3rd

2

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 1

15:15 Newbury

Ilovethenightlife

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Record of only 1-10 over fences and rather exposed; distant second on penultimate start and never landed a blow in competitive handicap at Cheltenham latest; however, best form suggests she can achieve a top-three finish in this field.

10/1

5

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Ilovethenightlife

11st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-time hurdle winner and prevailed narrowly in a 2m4f mares' handicap chase at Kempton in November (good); hasn't really threatened to go in again since then and cheekpieces are added to the tongue-tie tried last time.

14/1

Form: 213-31 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Smart bumper form and readily beat a subsequent winner (pair clear) at Exeter last month, on her second attempt over hurdles; likely to progress further and major chances.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

14:32 Doncaster

Lutinebella

12st 2lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

In the frame twice this autumn, more recently when coming from off the pace for fourth at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) in October, but has basically become a bit disappointing and needs to up her game here.

10/1

8th

1

13th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

14:32 Doncaster

Lutinebella

12st 2lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

In the frame twice this autumn, more recently when coming from off the pace for fourth at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) in October, but has basically become a bit disappointing and needs to up her game here.

10/1

4th

7

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 3

15:53 Exeter

Lutinebella

11st 5lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Lightly raced since her two novice wins during 2022-23 season and was nothing better than a respectable third of five behind Made For You at Worcester (2m7f, soft) last month; needs a bigger run here.

10/1

Form: 10-119 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Two bumper wins and scored on her hurdling debut in October; trounced at Lingfield this month, however, and regular partner Jay Tidball unable to claim his allowance; others much preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Magical Maggie

11st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Very closely matched with Masked Dance on their two Ludlow encounters in February, over 2m5f (soft) and 3m (good to soft); she's fine after a break and should have a part to play.

7/1

3rd

3

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 3

14:42 Ludlow

Magical Maggie

11st 9lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Three-time course winner, most recently when fending off Masked Dance over 2m5f (soft) three weeks ago; unraced beyond that trip but remains well handicapped on older form; will be a tough nut to crack if her stamina holds out.

3/1

1st

6

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

15:33 Ludlow

Magical Maggie

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Dual 2m course winner in 2023 (both times on soft); returned from long absence with quite encouraging run over that trip here (good to soft) two months ago and has slipped to a good mark but her stamina for 2m5f must be taken on trust.

10/1

Form: U82P8

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Ten Flat wins but yet to strike over hurdles; well beaten in a handicap here nine days ago; blinkers added to the tongue-strap worn then.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(8)

2nd Feb 2023

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 3

15:25 Southwell (AW)

Colony Queen

9st 9lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Pipe

Hasn't really shone over hurdles for current yard but she's a ten-time Flat winner who won all three of her runs for John Mackie in 2021 (1m2f/1m3f); acts on Tapeta and she should be well handicapped.

14/1

6th

2

30th Dec 2022

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 1

14:15 Taunton

Colony Queen

11st 4lb

J: Tom Scudamore

T: David Pipe

Ten Flat wins but yet to strike over hurdles; well beaten in a handicap here nine days ago; blinkers added to the tongue-strap worn then.

50/1

8th

6

21st Dec 2022

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

12:53 Taunton

Colony Queen

11st 7lb

J: Tom Scudamore

T: David Pipe

Took a step forward when second in a Huntingdon novice (2m, good) last month on her third hurdle start, and she reportedly lost her action when pulled up on subsequent handicap debut here; has potential off her current mark in view of her useful Flat ability; a tongue-tie goes on; could go well.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 39-3P

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shown little in two hurdling starts; out of her depth in this and handicaps later on likely a more feasible option.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th Oct 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

15:30 Hereford

Annie Wicks

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Jumping to her right and looked out of sorts at Southwell in June but was in good form on right-handed tracks beforehand, winning at Taunton (2m5f, soft) and finishing second over C&D (good); back on a clockwise course today and a big player if back on song after her break.

7/2

4

11th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:15 Southwell

Annie Wicks

11st 5lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

jumped right on occasions, prominent, lost position and reminders 13th, dropped to last 14th, lost touch and pulled up 15th

9/2

2nd

9

13th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:35 Hereford

Annie Wicks

10st 4lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Came good over fences at third attempt, with clearcut win from the front at Taunton (2m5f, soft) in March; 8lb rise asks quite a lot of her here but the longer trip might unlock further improvement and she should be fine if the ground stays good.

5/1

Form: 32245P D

Last run: 85 days

W: 10st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Hexham winner in June but no success since; pulled up in a handicap on latest start and hard to see her troubling some of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

7th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:35 Newton Abbot

Free Chakarte

10st 10lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Seemed to be lit up by first-time blinkers (retained today) at Worcester 12 days ago, racing clear but folding late on; that was at least a step in the right direction but not enough to make her of great interest in this.

12/1

5th

6

26th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:40 Worcester

Free Chakarte

11st 1lb

J: Philip Armson

T: David Pipe

Won by 23l on stable/hurdle debut at Hexham (2m, good) last June but was expensive to follow afterwards and has been pulled up on her last three appearances; swaps cheekpieces for first-time blinkers here; leap of faith required to support her at present.

14/1

6

(7)

13th May 2023

Heavy

1m 3f 179y

Class 4

18:10 Leicester

Free Chakarte

10st 1lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: David Pipe

Dual Flat winner in France, both on slow ground, who's completely lost the plot over hurdles since a Hexham win last summer (pulled up on her last three runs, all in cheekpieces); would want to see some support back from a short break.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.60
Straight Forecast £8.13
Trifecta £39.80

Selections

RP Ratings:

She's A Saint

SPOTLIGHT:

Lutinebella

WEST COUNTRY:

Credrojava

Telegraph:

Credrojava

TOPSPEED:

She's A Saint

POSTDATA:

She's A Saint

The Times:

She's A Saint

The Guardian:

She's A Saint

Daily Mail:

She's A Saint

The Sun:

She's A Saint

Daily Record:

She's A Saint

D Express:

Lutinebella

Daily Mirror:

Lutinebella

The Star:

Lutinebella