January 09 / 15.35 Taunton

15.35

Soft

Portman Cup Saturday 21st January Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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Portman Cup Saturday 21st January Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £10.20
  • Place: £3.10

Form: 83-714

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Both wins have come over 2m4f at Fakenham but she was only a well-held fourth there in November; no match for the winner when second in this race 12 months ago off 1lb higher; probably needs her best yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

16:50 Wincanton

Sawpit Sienna

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

11yo mare who has not won in over two years and was tailed off at Taunton (2m3f, good) last month; others are preferred.

16/1

10th

10

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

17:10 Taunton

Sawpit Sienna

10st 2lb

J: Miss Clara Brewitt

T: Samuel Drinkwater

A dual course scorer but this veteran mare came in last of five in 2m Lingfield handicap last month; others are preferred.

16/1

5th

6

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:35 Lingfield

Sawpit Sienna

10st 2lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Not lasting out over longer trips this term, so return to 2m makes sense, but it's over five years since she was last able to win outside mares-only company; 6lb out of the weights.

16/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 4232 BF

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Consistent filly but a maiden under both codes and is now fairly exposed; is running well but may prefer drier ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(8)

23rd Jul 2024

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

15:15 Musselburgh

Never No Trouble

9st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

slowly away and lost many lengths start

11/2

11th

10

(3)

6th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

17:35 Nottingham

Never No Trouble

10st 4lb

J: Miss Lizzie O’Neill

T: Donald McCain

Well beaten at Doncaster last July on her most recent Flat outing; she was returning from six months off when unplaced over hurdles last month; maiden status on Flat set to remain intact.

16/1

9/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 07-034

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
First worthwhile form came on her handicap debut at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) when beaten about 8l; perhaps below that level at Ffos Las since but she wasn't disgraced; has a race of this nature in her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

12

7th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

16:50 Exeter

My Granny Lily

10st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Won on heavy ground at Ffos Las (2m; wore cheekpieces) last season but has been out of form this term (three runs) and needs to respond very positively to a change of headgear today.

12/1

11

21st Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

13:20 Leicester

My Granny Lily

10st 2lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Nigel Hawke

Won on heavy ground at Ffos Las (2m) last February but struggled on her two outings in the autumn and needs to get back on track.

14/1

11

21st Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

13:20 Leicester

My Granny Lily

10st 2lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Nigel Hawke

Won on heavy ground at Ffos Las (2m) last February but struggled on her two outings in the autumn and needs to get back on track.

14/1

Form: -2415U

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Jumped to the right throughout and yet still won by over 6l at Southwell (3m, good) in June; ducked out and unseated early at Exeter last time; best form on good/good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

8th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

13:30 Hereford

Kentford Mallard

11st 2lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Seamus Mullins

Wants better ground than when second at Sandown (2m, soft), so that was a fair run over a trip too short for all that the race fell apart at the seams; back off her correct mark here and returned to 3m, she's one to consider.

11/2

2nd

7

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

13:50 Sandown

Kentford Mallard

10st 2lb

J: Capt Isabel Harrison

T: Seamus Mullins

held up in rear, not fluent 4th, not fluent 4 out, steady headway after 3 out, went modest second after 2 out, mistake last, kept on but no match for winner

40/1

2nd

7

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

13:50 Sandown

Kentford Mallard

10st 2lb

J: Capt Isabel Harrison

T: Seamus Mullins

held up in rear, not fluent 4th, not fluent 4 out, steady headway after 3 out, went modest second after 2 out, mistake last, kept on but no match for winner

40/1

Form: P672-2 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Thoroughly exposed but she has finished runner-up in her last two runs over hurdles (mixes with the Flat) and it was an improver who had her measure at Leicester in December (1m7f, good to soft); not far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

23rd Jul 2023

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:20 Stratford

Born To Please

10st 12lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Mark Usher

Another decent run when keeping on for third here last week but she's very frustrating and without a win since a Flat success in 2020 (1-24 over hurdles).

5/1

3rd

8

16th Jul 2023

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:15 Stratford

Born To Please

11st 1lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Mark Usher

held up in rear, still plenty to do 2 out, headway approaching last, ran on and went third run-in

5/1

4th

6

22nd Jun 2023

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

18:00 Uttoxeter

Born To Please

11st 1lb

J: James Davies

T: Mark Usher

Soundly beaten on the Flat this month but finished well to go close at Stratford (2m, good to soft) on latest hurdle start in April and is probably worth another crack at 2m4f; could have a say.

7/1

Form: /19-34 D

Last run: 53 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Ludlow bumper winner (made all) who ran well there behind a talented mare on her hurdling debut and again at Wincanton in November; she should be fine on this softer ground given her pedigree; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

9th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:35 Taunton

Tintern Abbey

12st 0lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Alastair Ralph

took keen hold, disputed lead

7/2

4th

10

17th Nov 2022

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

14:05 Wincanton

Tintern Abbey

11st 2lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Alastair Ralph

Ludlow bumper winner last December (made all) and solid effort on hurdling debut there two weeks ago, when third; place prospects again.

5/1

3rd

9

3rd Nov 2022

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:30 Ludlow

Tintern Abbey

11st 4lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Alastair Ralph

Bumper winner here last December (made all) but faded out of contention in a better race the following month; absent since but likely to make her mark over hurdles at some stage, possibly over further.

7/1

Form: 075-0P

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Fared reasonably well in a claiming hurdle at Clonmel (2m2f, soft; fifth of 11; 150-1) in March and has run just twice since; 11-1 for a 2m5f soft-ground handicap at Hereford on stable debut 19 days ago and was pulled up quickly after a mid-race mistake; relatively unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

11th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

13:15 Exeter

Fortune Cookie

10st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Henry Oliver

Lightly raced; took a big step forward for her new yard when keeping-on fourth of eight in steadily run 2m4f Leicester handicap and, although beaten further, she posted the same RPR when favourite at Huntingdon; all her form is on soft or heavy ground but she should be dangerous down into a seller.

6/1

4th

5

15th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

15:50 Huntingdon

Fortune Cookie

10st 13lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Lightly raced ex-Irish maiden who took a big step forward for her new yard when keeping-on fourth of eight in steadily run 2m4f Leicester handicap six weeks ago; she appeals as the sort to do better still granted a stiffer test of stamina so merits serious consideration eased 1lb.

11/4

4th

5

1st Feb 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:20 Leicester

Fortune Cookie

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Henry Oliver

Ex-Irish; hasn't made much of an impression, albeit with some mitigating circumstances (slightly hampered last time), in two starts for Henry Oliver; others are more obvious but she shouldn't be written off just yet; easing mark.

33/1

Form: 0400-0

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish maiden who was weak in the betting when tailed off on her stable debut in a 2m1f good-ground handicap at Fontwell one month ago; now tongue tied; risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Worcester

Mrs Kinsella

10st 8lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Ryan Potter

Pulled up in consecutive chases in the autumn and again when reappearing over hurdles last month; now 0-19 under all codes and has a lot to prove but still worth a glance in the betting; cheekpieces refitted.

16/1

11

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

20:00 Stratford

Mrs Kinsella

11st 0lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Ryan Potter

Placed in 3-11 hurdle starts on good or good to soft, all at around 2m4f; handy mark but hasn't looked as effective over this trip.

25/1

Form: 14/564 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Back from yet another lengthy break at Leicester (2m4f, good to soft) in November and didn't run well; getting well handicapped but wellbeing is an issue for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

15th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

15:50 Huntingdon

Hello Bob

10st 3lb

J: Danny Burton

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Winless since 2020 and her recent form is far from encouraging too, coming in only 11th in 2m4f Ffos Las handicap ten days ago; tongue strap goes back on but others are still much preferred.

10/1

11th

14

5th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Ffos Las

Hello Bob

10st 8lb

J: Danny Burton

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Won off much higher mark in summer 2020 but hasn't fired this season; dropped out very tamely when tried in cheekpieces last month; no headgear today; revival needed.

25/1

9

14th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Lingfield

Hello Bob

10st 12lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Samuel Drinkwater

took keen hold, disputed lead, ridden and weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

14/1

Form: 0889-0

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Maiden on the Flat and over hurdles; has been unconvincing for a while now and the tongue-tie needs to help in a major way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Lady Ironside

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Carroll Gray

Second at 25-1 in weak novice hurdle at Uttoxeter in February 2023; however, following a long absence she's been pulled up in two handicaps this winter (fences/hurdles) and is now 0-24.

100/1

16

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Lady Ironside

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Carroll Gray

Second at 25-1 in weak novice hurdle at Uttoxeter in February 2023; however, following a long absence she's been pulled up in two handicaps this winter (fences/hurdles) and is now 0-24.

100/1

8

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:15 Taunton

Lady Ironside

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Carroll Gray

in touch with leaders, lost ground when not fluent 5th

50/1

Form: 167-61 D

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Both career wins have come in her last five starts, winning 2m handicaps on soft and good ground; was good value for the latest at Southwell in November and has only gone up 4lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

26th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

17:35 Fontwell

Eventful

10st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Dual hurdles winner over 2m on soft/good in 2022 but has lost her way, including at Taunton last month on her return from another lengthy absence; others look stronger.

14/1

5th

7

26th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

17:35 Fontwell

Eventful

10st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Dual hurdles winner over 2m on soft/good in 2022 but has lost her way, including at Taunton last month on her return from another lengthy absence; others look stronger.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £60.50
Straight Forecast £42.07
Tricast £152.13
Trifecta £263.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Tintern Abbey

POSTDATA:

Sawpit Sienna

RP Ratings:

Born To Please

The Times:

Never No Trouble

Telegraph:

Eventful

WEST COUNTRY:

My Granny Lily

The Guardian:

Never No Trouble

Daily Mail:

Tintern Abbey

The Sun:

Tintern Abbey

Daily Mirror:

Eventful

D Express:

Sawpit Sienna

The Star:

Sawpit Sienna

LAMBOURN:

Born To Please

Daily Record:

Born To Please