March 30 / 14.40 Taunton

14.40

Soft

C & D South West Ltd Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6495.63
  • 2m 7f 3y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
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C & D South West Ltd Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: -51641 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Has gained both chase wins at Ffos Las, including on latest start (3m, good) when taking well to first-time cheekpieces; the question mark is whether he can transfer the form to Taunton (first run here).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

16:20 Exeter

Haldon Hill

11st 7lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Won two in a row (good/heavy) prior to finishing second in this last year (good to soft); he's 5lb lower than 12 months ago and is one to watch in the betting, but this 11yo has been tailed off/pulled up on his two runs this season and a major turnaround is required.

10/1

0

9

22nd Jan 2024

Frozen

3m 1f 100y

Class 4

15:40 Warwick

Haldon Hill

11st 9lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Back-to-back wins at Ffos Las (3m, good) and Taunton (2m7f, heavy) last March and only 3lb higher than for the latest of those; however, he's an 11yo now and his reappearance was underwhelming even if that was over 2m4f.

9/1

11/4

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 34-234

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Still a maiden but his form stacks up very well; for example at Kempton (3m; third chase start) seven weeks ago he was one place behind the subsequent Midlands National winner; respected off a workable mark dropped in grade and with Joe Anderson taking off a useful 7lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

2nd May 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Cheltenham

Mumbo Jumbo

11st 12lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Mrs G Andrews

Useful chaser for Emma Lavelle; consistent pointer and closely matched with Clashhill on his penultimate run, since when he's won easily at High Easter (3m, good to firm); looks a player.

7/2

6th

6

2nd May 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Cheltenham

Mumbo Jumbo

11st 12lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Mrs G Andrews

held up in rear, some headway 3 out, weakened before 2 out

7/2

2nd

5

4th May 2024

Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:35 Uttoxeter

Mumbo Jumbo

11st 6lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Emma Lavelle

Placed off 7lb higher mark in stronger race than this at Exeter (3m, good to soft) in November but was pulled up on next two outings and was last of four (albeit not beaten far) when cheekpieces were added for latest run; now 0-15 under all codes and needs to up his game; drops back in trip with visor tried today.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4-7231

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Justified favouritism with a 7l success in handicap chase at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) two months ago, opening his account at the seventh attempt; has form at up to 3m; open to further progress over fences and looks a major contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:45 Exeter

Art Decco

11st 12lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won by 9l over C&D (soft) in December, matching his gutsy win in this race last year (heavy) as a career best; one problem is that both of those were off 6lb lower than today; another is that he showed little in the Surrey National last time, but he needs plenty of respect back here.

5/1

2

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Art Decco

11st 13lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Showed career-best form when winning by 9l at Exeter (3m6f, soft) last month and is now 6-15 over fences; should be fine on this left-handed track but recent 7lb rise asks quite a lot of him.

7/1

6th

5

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 3

13:30 Fontwell

Art Decco

11st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won three in a row once the cheekpieces were added early last year and he was better than ever last season, winning the Devon National (3m6f) on latest start; only 1lb higher today but this is a big drop back in trip and he's raced on only soft or heavy going for the last two years.

100/30

Form: 3-14F1

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Solid success at Fontwell (2m3f, soft; beat a subsequent winner) three weeks ago, taking chase record to 2-4; likely player provided he stays this longer distance (first go beyond 2m5f under rules).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 4

14:25 Newbury

Garincha

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Neil Mulholland

held up in rear, awkward jump 1st, headway after 14th, disputing third 2 out, stayed on final 110yds, went second towards finish

14/1

2nd

4

15th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 4

14:25 Newbury

Garincha

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Neil Mulholland

Sent chasing two seasons back and won three from six; absent 568 days before third of 15 at Bangor (extended 2m4f, soft) in November but tailed off at Exeter (2m3f) over three weeks later; not proven beyond 2m5f; latest win was under a 7lb claimer and another claimer gets the leg up today.

14/1

6th

6

6th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

13:00 Exeter

Garincha

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

prominent, lost position but in touch with leaders 6th, dropped to last before 7th

8/1

Form: /092PP

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Flat/hurdle winner in Ireland; achieved nothing in a handicap hurdle on debut for new yard; may prove suited by this belated switch to chasing, having shown some promise in points.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

15:25 Chepstow

Brazos

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Alexandra Dunn

midfield, outpaced after 7th, soon dropped to rear, lost touch before 3 out

50/1

4

22nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

15:25 Chepstow

Brazos

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Alexandra Dunn

midfield, outpaced after 7th, soon dropped to rear, lost touch before 3 out

50/1

Form: 413235

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Irish chaser who has been sent over to Britain a few times this term, including at Bangor (off 12lb lower) in October when recording sole rules win; generally consistent but current mark demands more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

20th Jan 2024

Frozen

3m 0f 0y

15:42 Navan

Diegos Way

11st 7lb

J: E Walsh

T: Cian Collins

Only one win from 17 chase starts; 2-21 in points and placed seven times, but badly out of form during the autumn points campaign.

33/1

7th

7

30th Jun 2023

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 4

14:30 Cartmel

Diegos Way

10st 11lb

J: Miss Alice Stevens

T: Cian Michael Collins

Irish raider; still 9lb higher than when winning at Bangor (3m, good to soft) in October; didn't run badly when fourth at Perth (3m, good to soft) this month and will be favoured by any rain but needs to up his game.

9/1

4th

3

11th Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

15:00 Perth

Diegos Way

11st 7lb

J: Denis O’Regan

T: Cian Michael Collins

travelled strongly, held up in last 3rd, not fluent 1st, steady headway after 14th

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.20
Straight Forecast £15.89
Trifecta £42.20

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Art Decco

SPOTLIGHT:

Mumbo Jumbo

Daily Mirror:

Garincha

The Guardian:

Haldon Hill

POSTDATA:

Art Decco

WEST COUNTRY:

Art Decco

The Times:

Art Decco

Telegraph:

Art Decco

Daily Mail:

Art Decco

The Sun:

Art Decco

The Star:

Art Decco

RP Ratings:

Mumbo Jumbo

Daily Record:

Garincha

D Express:

Haldon Hill