March 02 / 14.15 Taunton

14.15

Good

Rowcliffes Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4792.48
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Rowcliffes Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £1.84
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 3/P

Last run: 116 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Failed to settle and was pulled up at Sandown (2m, heavy) in November when making his stable debut after an absence; however, he's had wind surgery since and showed considerable promise at Auteuil (1m7f, very soft) in April 2021 on his sole French start; retains potential for top stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

14th Oct 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 2

16:38 Ffos Las

Matterhorn

11st 5lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Kickstarted last season with impressive victory at Uttoxeter (2m4f) in May but he failed to go on and was pulled up in Grade 2 event at Sandown (2m6f) in April on his final run for Paul Nicholls; makes his debut for Dan Skelton here and no forlorn hope.

9/1

6

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Matterhorn

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Chase record is 5-11, the most recent win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last spring; seen only twice since but ran well in a notable handicap at Plumpton (2m1f) the latest time; possibilities at the weights, provided he stays the new trip.

7/2

2nd

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 219y

Class 2

14:35 Plumpton

Matterhorn

11st 9lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Made it 5-9 over fences with convincing win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last May; pulled up on sole run since, at Ascot in December, but the good to soft ground may not have suited; second in this last year; could go well.

11/2

7/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 71- C

Last run: 329 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to connections' smart staying hurdler Third Wind and he won here (2m, good) last April on his second bumper start; should be suited by the step up in trip on hurdle debut and he's a leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

11th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

13:40 Huntingdon

Final Encore

11st 4lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Hughie Morrison

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

3/1

8th

12

19th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Cheltenham

Final Encore

11st 2lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Hughie Morrison

held up in rear, ridden and no impression from 2 out

33/1

2nd

3

2nd Mar 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Taunton

Final Encore

11st 2lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Hughie Morrison

Half-brother to connections' smart staying hurdler Third Wind and he won here (2m, good) last April on his second bumper start; should be suited by the step up in trip on hurdle debut and he's a leading contender.

7/4

33/1

  • Place: £4.60

Form: 47

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in juvenile hurdles (2m, good to soft/soft) on his first two starts and others hold stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

9th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:25 Taunton

Archie Macdart

10st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Joe Ponting

led, jumped right 2nd, soon briefly headed, headed before 2 out, lost second 2 out, drifted left and no extra run-in

8/1

Form: 8

Last run: 57 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: —

Form & Verdict
It's very early days and her useful pedigree hints that this ground may suit better than the soft surface she encountered at Huntingdon (2m5f, soft; 11-1) in January; however, she has to leave that debut form miles behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

2nd Mar 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Taunton

Lillywave

10st 9lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs

It's very early days and her useful pedigree hints that this ground may suit better than the soft surface she encountered at Huntingdon (2m5f, soft; 11-1) in January; however, she has to leave that debut form miles behind.

14/1

8th

7

4th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Lillywave

11st 4lb

J: Tom O’Brien

T: Philip Hobbs

Half-sister to six winners, including smart hurdler Attaglance; of interest on pedigree but makes her debut as a 7yo; market a help.

9/1

Form: —

Last run: —

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Failed to threaten on the Flat in Ireland on four runs (1m-1m4f) for Ger Lyons and he needs to improve for the switch of codes; stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

17th Oct 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

14:52 Newton Abbot

Faded Fantasy

10st 6lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Won by 7l here (3m2f, good) last summer and was seemingly back in good form when rallying fourth at Bangor (2m3f, good) last month but has been soundly beaten twice since and now has it all to prove again.

25/1

8th

11

15th Sep 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:30 Uttoxeter

Faded Fantasy

11st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Winner at Worcester (2m7f, good) and Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) last summer; struggled a bit since, but better run after wind op when fourth last time (2m3f); should fare even better now back up to 3m.

20/1

4th

2

4th Sep 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

17:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Faded Fantasy

12st 0lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Won three times last year (2m4f-3m2f, good) but has looked out of sorts since returning from a break in June (three runs); won't mind if there's rain about but needs recent wind op to have made a big difference.

16/1

Form: 089

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
In top hands (one of two for yard) but he's finished down the field on all three starts (hurdles the last twice); transformation needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

31st May 2023

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:30 Newton Abbot

Imprevu Du Large

10st 2lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Paul Nicholls

Beaten upwards of 42l in his first three hurdle runs but he ran well for a long way on his recent handicap debut at Ludlow (3m, good; 17l third); should have more to offer now switched to fences for top yard and he's an interesting contender on this drop back in trip; tongue-tie added.

4/1

3rd

5

14th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

17:05 Ludlow

Imprevu Du Large

10st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Beaten upwards of 42l in three qualifying runs at up to 2m5f (good/good to soft) this year but it's very rare for his top trainer to get one in off such a low opening mark; dangerous to ignore.

9/4

14

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Imprevu Du Large

10st 2lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Paul Nicholls

Beaten upwards of 42l in three qualifying runs at up to 2m5f (good/good to soft) this year but it's very rare for his top trainer to get one in off such a low opening mark; one of three runners from the stable and it'll be very interesting to see how he goes in the betting.

9/1

Form: 48079

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: —

Form & Verdict
No impact in her three bumpers and well beaten at massive odds on her first two hurdle starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

13

11th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:25 Huntingdon

Elsieanne

10st 7lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

In rear on all three hurdles starts so far, beaten 42l plus, and not obviously bred to fare better upped to a stayer's trip; handicap bow.

20/1

7th

7

2nd Mar 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Taunton

Elsieanne

10st 9lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

No impact in her three bumpers and well beaten at massive odds on her first two hurdle starts.

100/1

9th

16

20th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

13:30 Lingfield

Elsieanne

10st 13lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Well held in three bumpers and was tailed off at a massive price on hurdling debut at Doncaster (2m3f, good) last month.

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: 96

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
One of two for in-form yard but he was well beaten in his two bumpers (2m, good/soft) and has to take a big step forward now hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

14th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

Bob Bank

10st 2lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Christian Williams

Eight-race maiden who was well beaten in three handicap chases in the autumn and is 3lb wrong here; difficult to enthuse over on that evidence but connections are persisting, and it's worth noting he attracted market support last time; wore cheekpieces two starts ago; blinkers tried here.

12/1

0

8

22nd Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

13:05 Ffos Las

Bob Bank

10st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

disputed lead, not fluent 2nd, soon prominent, mistake 9th

25/1

8th

16

7th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

16:15 Warwick

Bob Bank

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

in rear, mistake 5th

16/1

Form: —

Last run: 89 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
50-1, well-beaten tenth of 13 on debut in bumper at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in December; hard to fancy on the back of that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

16:10 Taunton

Exmoor Lad

11st 9lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Struggled when 40-1 for handicap debut here (2m3f, good to soft) in January; that was his first run after a long layoff and he remains unexposed but he needs to be a completely different proposition over this new trip.

25/1

8

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:20 Taunton

Exmoor Lad

11st 8lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Showed only minor promise in his three qualifying runs in 2023 (1m7f-2m3f) and makes handicap debut after a long absence but remains very unexposed and is worth a glance in the betting.

12/1

8

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:20 Taunton

Exmoor Lad

11st 8lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

in rear

12/1

Form: —

Last run: —

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
52,000euros 3yo; second foal; dam dual bumper winner (RPR 100) from talented family; represents a respected trainer and it will be interesting to see how he goes in the betting on debut, in a race lacking depth.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

14th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:50 Newton Abbot

Ventara

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Off since November but had been out for even longer before his near miss at Chepstow the month before (2m, soft); went off odds-on favourite to defy this mark on chase debut next time (2m2f, good to soft) and was going okay when clouting three out; much respected.

9/2

9th

4

14th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:50 Newton Abbot

Ventara

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Off since November but had been out for even longer before his near miss at Chepstow the month before (2m, soft); went off odds-on favourite to defy this mark on chase debut next time (2m2f, good to soft) and was going okay when clouting three out; much respected.

9/2

6th

5

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Ventara

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

disputed lead, pressed leader before 2nd

100/30

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £2.60
Straight Forecast £2.48
Trifecta £17.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Final Encore

WEST COUNTRY:

Matterhorn

POSTDATA:

Faded Fantasy

The Times:

Final Encore

Telegraph:

Final Encore

Daily Mail:

Final Encore

The Sun:

Final Encore

The Star:

Final Encore

Daily Record:

Final Encore

The Guardian:

Matterhorn

D Express:

Matterhorn

Daily Mirror:

Matterhorn