February 21 / 14.30 Taunton

14.30

Good

Racing To School Blackbrook Primary Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
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Racing To School Blackbrook Primary Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £37.30
  • Place: £6.80

Form: 6-5847

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Reduced mark appeals on last season's best efforts but he's been well beaten the last twice and remains a maiden (0-17 across both codes); needs to raise his game now in a visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

17th Oct 2023

Good

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

17:20 Hereford

Professor Calculus

11st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

Seemingly back in good form when placed at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) in June but not much has gone to plan since; soundly beaten when upped to 2m4f in August and has further to go here; swaps cheekpieces for refitted visor; not the percentage call.

33/1

8th

6

30th Aug 2023

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

19:20 Uttoxeter

Professor Calculus

11st 4lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

No paragon of consistency but Taunton winner in February (2m3f, made all, first time in a visor) and also ran well at Newton Abbot in June; heavy ground probably to blame when pulled up here latest; often leads.

16/1

4

11th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

20:10 Uttoxeter

Professor Calculus

11st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

Won a novice handicap with a first-time visor at Taunton in February (2m3f, good) and fair third in ordinary Newton Abbot handicap two runs back (2m1f, good); cheekpieces now tried; soft ground perhaps not ideal.

9/1

OUR TIP

20/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 42-656

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on form as recent as last April and it's possible today's return to better ground will prompt a revival, but he has something to prove regarding current form in view of his two defeats last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Port Or Starboard

10st 8lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Placed lots of times over hurdles but won only once in 24 attempts; hasn't been close to his best this season and he's not bred for fences.

16/1

4th

5

4th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

16:28 Sedgefield

Port Or Starboard

10st 12lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Just 1-23 over hurdles, the win gained in 2023; out of form at around 2m this season but this longer trip might suit him better now and he has slipped to a very good mark; worth a glance in the betting.

14/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 0/83P5

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
His Flat wins came over 1m and he's not bred to stay, but he kept on well for a 6l fifth here (2m, good) recently in his second handicap hurdle and on that evidence he's well worth a go at this longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(4)

5th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:55 Windsor

The Rain King

9st 9lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: Michael Wigham

Defied a higher mark here (1m) three years ago; has produced two poor results on AW for new yard since returning from long absence but could revive back at Windsor.

14/1

7th

1

(4)

5th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:55 Windsor

The Rain King

9st 9lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: Michael Wigham

Defied a higher mark here (1m) three years ago; has produced two poor results on AW for new yard since returning from long absence but could revive back at Windsor.

14/1

11th

2

(7)

27th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Chelmsford (AW)

The Rain King

9st 9lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Wigham

took keen hold, prominent, lost ground after 1f, soon dropped to midfield

40/1

Form: 532

Last run: 103 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Yet to transfer his useful Flat form to hurdles but has produced fair performances in good-ground maidens in this code the last twice (2m3f/2m) and has potential off a modest mark in his first handicap; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

30th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

13:00 Chepstow

Dancing Harry

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Roger Teal

Fairly useful on the Flat but 0-6 over hurdles; ran well when fifth on return to this sphere at Taunton (2m, good to soft) last month but was below that form on his latest outing and his stamina heads into unknown territory here; others preferred.

10/1

6th

1

12th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:30 Wincanton

Dancing Harry

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Roger Teal

prominent, disputing second after 3 out, lost position after 2 out, weakened approaching last

8/1

Form: 9P98

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Has shown very little across his four rules starts but he was runner-up in an Irish maiden point in December 2021 and is one to watch in the betting off a basement mark on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

3rd Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:00 Southwell

Horizon DOr

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Brett Johnson

Ran big race in defeat for Adam West at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in the autumn but we haven't seen him since his disappointing chase debut in December; makes stable debut today; market may guide.

25/1

11th

6

3rd Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:00 Southwell

Horizon DOr

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Brett Johnson

Ran big race in defeat for Adam West at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in the autumn but we haven't seen him since his disappointing chase debut in December; makes stable debut today; market may guide.

25/1

8th

10

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

13:45 Taunton

Horizon DOr

10st 11lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Adam West

Returned from layoff with two good hurdle runs this autumn (3m2f/3m) but was well beaten when last in action and others in this line-up look stronger; makes chasing debut today.

14/1

Form: 8-977

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Down the field in sole bumper and well beaten on her three hurdle starts; improvement needed but she's in top hands and goes handicapping off a basement mark; interesting, all the more so if strong in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:30 Taunton

Sister Saint

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Down the field in sole bumper and well beaten on her three hurdle starts; improvement needed but she's in top hands and goes handicapping off a basement mark; interesting, all the more so if strong in the betting.

100/30

7th

11

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 49y

Class 4

15:25 Fontwell

Sister Saint

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Half-sister to winners including the stable's smart jumper Irish Saint; disappointing in a bumper last March and heavy defeats in her two hurdle races this term; Mullins Bay looks the stable first string.

25/1

7th

14

21st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

13:00 Lingfield

Sister Saint

10st 11lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Paul Nicholls

Half-sister to five winners, notably the stable's smart jumper Irish Saint; didn't live up to market expectations in sole bumper in March and she made a low-key start over hurdles at Exeter (2m2f, good; tailed off) last month; still very early days but she needs a transformation on this switch to slower ground.

10/1

Form: 5-3836

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Maiden who was disappointing when upped to 2m4f at Market Rasen a fortnight ago; however, prior to that he shaped as though this sort of trip may suit when keeping on for a fair third at Wincanton (1m7f, good) and he's not written off in a first-time visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

3rd Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:43 Huntingdon

Escobedo

10st 5lb

J: Lily Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Won off 3lb higher for Milton Harris 13 months ago (2m1f) but, following a spell with Sylvester Kirk, was well beaten on last month's stable debut (2m); has a lot to prove on this first venture beyond about 2m4f.

25/1

11

3rd Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:43 Huntingdon

Escobedo

10st 5lb

J: Lily Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Won off 3lb higher for Milton Harris 13 months ago (2m1f) but, following a spell with Sylvester Kirk, was well beaten on last month's stable debut (2m); has a lot to prove on this first venture beyond about 2m4f.

25/1

12th

12

10th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:08 Exeter

Escobedo

10st 8lb

J: Lily Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Now only 1lb higher than when scoring at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) for Milton Harris a year ago but both recent runs for Sylvester Kirk were disappointing and he needs to have been perked up by latest stable switch; cheekpieces refitted.

25/1

Form: -3164P D

Last run: 77 days

W: 12st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Hit and miss in short handicap hurdle career and pulled up at Fontwell in December last time (bled from nose); however, won at Plumpton (2m4f, good) last June and ran well when fourth at Hereford (2m5f, good to soft) in November, and could return to form following wind op; tongue-tie goes on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

30th Aug 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:15 Uttoxeter

Prison Break

11st 6lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Won off 6lb higher over hurdles in June 2022 but hasn't really fired this year; chasing debut and others have less to prove.

10/1

Form: U-80P

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Displayed some ability in points and a market check is advised on handicap debut, but he's shown very little under rules.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

30th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

14:20 Fakenham

Instant Gambler

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Alexandra Dunn

held up in rear, headway on outer before 2 out, went second on turn before last, soon hung left, no extra and lost second towards finish

10/11

Form: -P0804

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
0-11 for Gavin Cromwell in Ireland but kept on for a fair fourth at Limerick (2m, soft) three weeks ago and he'll be fine now back up in trip and back on better ground for his stable debut (ran well over 2m5f on good ground last April); on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

6th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:42 Fontwell

Hillsin

11st 12lb

J: James Turner

T: Alan Jones

Won in a small field at Exeter (2m2f, good to firm) in October but holding his form is becoming troublesome; risky enough.

10/1

1

21st Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

16:30 Exeter

Hillsin

12st 0lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Alan Jones

Won three in a row for Alan Jones in 2024 and now returns to former trainer after three defeats for Richard Hawker, which included one placed effort; nothing wrong with his mark.

6/4

Form: 475P

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in his three novice hurdles (2m1f-2m5f, good/good to soft) and pulled up at 80-1 on handicap debut at Hereford (2m3f, soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:05 Exeter

Sans Of Gold

10st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jimmy Frost

Returned to racing under rules with 41l defeat at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago and is now 0-17 under all codes; 11lb wrong here; needs major help from new tongue-tie and/or blinkers.

50/1

7th

9

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

15:50 Wincanton

Sans Of Gold

10st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jimmy Frost

No rules form to speak of for this yard; 25-1 and beaten 24l in a point for Nikki Frost when last seen nearly a year ago; out of the weights.

50/1

8

29th May 2024

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:28 Newton Abbot

Sans Of Gold

10st 2lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Jimmy Frost

Modest maiden who hasn't looked any different since sent over fences and he's 9lb out of the weights this time.

14/1

Form: 805

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

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

10

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:20 Taunton

West Park Boy

11st 3lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Unexposed after only five hurdle runs but was safely held over C&D (good to soft) on handicap debut in November and struggled (albeit on soft ground) at Uttoxeter last month; significant improvement required.

20/1

10

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:20 Taunton

West Park Boy

11st 3lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

midfield

20/1

3

20th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

15:15 Uttoxeter

West Park Boy

11st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Soundly beaten on all four starts but he was returning from a long absence when mid-division on last month's handicap debut at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft); he's in good hands and there's potential in his pedigree, and he could show the benefit of that latest outing with a big run today.

15/2

Form: 0-5357

Last run: 111 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Fair start to hurdling career in autumn 2021 but hasn't gone on from that and failed to threaten in handicaps last autumn on last two starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

31st May 2023

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

17:03 Newton Abbot

Ballygoe

11st 3lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

11-race maiden but he's dropped some way in the weights and was close up when he fell two out at Exeter (2m, good) in March; tongue-tie is now added after a short break and he could be dangerous.

9/2

9

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:40 Exeter

Ballygoe

11st 1lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Maiden; the medium of strong market support at Taunton last month but was pulled up; worth noting to see if the money returns but others safer.

16/1

7

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:30 Taunton

Ballygoe

11st 3lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Fair start to hurdling career in autumn 2021 but hasn't gone on from that and failed to threaten in handicaps last autumn on last two starts.

12/1

Non-runners

West Park Boy

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £318.30
Straight Forecast £171.14
Tricast £1689.60
Trifecta £3021.70

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Dancing Harry

RP Ratings:

The Rain King

WEST COUNTRY:

Sister Saint

SPOTLIGHT:

Hillsin

TOPSPEED:

Professor Calculus

The Times:

Dancing Harry

Telegraph:

Dancing Harry

The Guardian:

Dancing Harry

Daily Mail:

Dancing Harry

D Express:

Dancing Harry

Daily Mirror:

Dancing Harry

The Sun:

Dancing Harry

The Star:

Dancing Harry

Daily Record:

Dancing Harry

POSTDATA:

The Rain King