January 08 / 13.55 Taunton

13.55

Soft

Blackdown Motor Company Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4955.32
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
RTV
View Course
Blackdown Motor Company Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.60

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to 2m hurdle winner Cotton Jenny; dam 2m chase winner, sister to 2m chase/2m4f hurdle winner Captain Dash; has run in four Irish points, putting up an improved show when making all in early December; hard to know what that form amounts to but he goes hurdling at a realistic level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

19th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:40 Newton Abbot

The Gypsy Davey

12st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Dual chase winner from 20 attempts over fences; returned to form when second to It's A Breeze here last week where he wasn't unlucky despite some late interference; should run well with a repeat, but can be inconsistent.

4/1

2nd

3

13th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

16:12 Newton Abbot

The Gypsy Davey

11st 6lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Dual chase winner who has been more miss than hit since scoring in May last year; recent hurdle run in a first-time visor (retained) offered little encouragement, but he returns to fences off a handy mark; needs to rediscover his spark.

13/2

5th

7

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

19:18 Stratford

The Gypsy Davey

10st 13lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: Mrs C Williams

Won two chases at Hereford (2m5f, good) in April and May 2025 but has been more miss than hit since, with both runs this year underwhelming; reverts to hurdles with a visor added off a fair mark but needs to turn things around.

20/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 74

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Emphatic winner of final Irish point (good) in May 2023 and he hasn't done badly in Hereford and Musselburgh bumpers (good and good to soft) this winter; has a future over jumps and may have more speed than pedigree suggests (dam bred three staying jumps winners).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Worcester

Walkingoneggshells

12st 0lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Archie Watson

Won Irish point in May 2023; yet to win under rules and has made little impact in three handicap chases, made mistakes latest before pulling up over C&D nine days ago.

16/1

10

19th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Worcester

Walkingoneggshells

11st 5lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Archie Watson

Won Irish point in May 2023; yet to win under rules and made no impression over fences at Stratford and over C&D last month.

20/1

7th

7

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:18 Worcester

Walkingoneggshells

11st 11lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Archie Watson

Irish point winner; runner-up in a Taunton maiden hurdle in January but well beaten since; travelled well for a long way on this month's reappearance when upped to around this trip on handicap/chase debut and should be all the sharper for that run; not ruled out with a tongue-tie now added.

14/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 64

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Triple Flat winner at 1m3f and 1m2f in 2023, including on heavy; looked as if she might make a go of it over hurdles when fourth of nine finishers at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) on Boxing Day, but is another for whom handicaps look more likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(3)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lhebayeb

9st 5lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Richard Price

All three AW wins have been over C&D, the latest in a classified event in March; has been below that form since and the switch from a hood to first-time cheekpieces needs to have a positive impact.

16/1

9th

8

(11)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

17:05 Chepstow

Lhebayeb

9st 3lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Price

C&D winner last June (soft) off a 4lb higher mark; wants a good test over this trip but is capable of bouncing back, having been given an 11-week break since a couple of lesser efforts in Tapeta 0-50s.

8/1

10th

5

(5)

30th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lhebayeb

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Richard Price

Three C&D wins, the latest in a classified event this month in a refitted hood; failed to get to grips with the leaders here six days later but she's had a longer break this time; can be very competitive if race pans out.

8/1

Form:

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Two of dam's siblings were useful jumpers; 16-1 for racecourse debut in a Chepstow maiden hurdle in October, where he finished remote but was found to be lame; early days yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

11th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

18:40 Worcester

Schematic

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Hasn't shown much in three runs; strictly on that evidence he looks harshly treated but has better to come now entering handicaps.

14/1

5th

7

7th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:20 Ludlow

Schematic

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

16-1 for a Chepstow maiden hurdle in October, where he finished remote but was found to be lame; 12-1 at Taunton (2m, soft) one month ago on second start, making some late headway from well off the pace into 11l fourth of 13; essentially looks a longer-term prospect, with lots to learn, but this looks such a weak race that he could have claims.

7/2

4th

7

8th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:55 Taunton

Schematic

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

Two of dam's siblings were useful jumpers; 16-1 for racecourse debut in a Chepstow maiden hurdle in October, where he finished remote but was found to be lame; early days yet.

25/1

Form: 0-40

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Couldn't sustain promising-looking challenge on 2m3f hurdle debut (soft) at Lingfield in November; modest effort since and, with staying types in pedigree, he wouldn't necessarily flourish over a sharp 2m like this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

17th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

14:57 Uttoxeter

Golden Ambition

11st 4lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Disappointed when dropped back to 2m4f here in July but began his chasing career with two promising thirds (2m5f/2m7f, good) and will be suited by today's return to 3m; has a fighting chance if back on song.

9/2

9th

7

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:07 Uttoxeter

Golden Ambition

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Won twice over hurdles and has kicked off over fences with fairly close thirds over 2m5f here and 2m7f at Worcester; looks on the right sort of mark but considered each-way.

9/2

7

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:42 Worcester

Golden Ambition

11st 5lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Dual hurdle winner who was beaten 5l on chase debut at Uttoxeter (2m5f; stays this far) where a mistake three out didn't help the cause; should run well.

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; by Jack Hobbs; dam placed in bumper/2m hurdle/2m4f chase, closely related to smart 2m4f-3m5f hurdle/chase winner Milansbar and useful 2m3f-3m hurdle winner Theatrebar; bred with stamina in mind but worth a market check on debut for leading yard (also runs Bahio Boum).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:50 Southwell

Jacksbar

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Displayed a significant jolt of improvement when winning by over 6l at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in December, her third handicap, and posted another good effort when keeping-on second at Exeter (2m2f, good) last month; has stamina in her pedigree and commands respect on this first attempt at 3m.

11/4

Form: 8P8

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tongue tied all starts; never involved on bumper debut and pulled up at Lingfield, then finished remote over C&D, in two hurdle starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

12th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:03 Ludlow

Behind The Veil

11st 1lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Tongue tied all starts; never involved in her bumper and has not shown much in three starts over hurdles, the latest in January; had wind surgery soon afterwards; upped in trip for this handicap debut, which will suit her well on pedigree.

10/1

8

12th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:03 Ludlow

Behind The Veil

11st 1lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Tongue tied all starts; never involved in her bumper and has not shown much in three starts over hurdles, the latest in January; had wind surgery soon afterwards; upped in trip for this handicap debut, which will suit her well on pedigree.

10/1

7th

11

8th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:55 Taunton

Behind The Veil

11st 1lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Tongue tied all starts; never involved on bumper debut and pulled up at Lingfield, then finished remote over C&D, in two hurdle starts.

150/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2327-0

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three good bumper runs, pressing a useful one at Southwell last January (good), but he didn't do so well the next time; dropped right out on hurdle debut at Doncaster (2m3f, good) but was entitled to need the run and he should have potential; unraced on slower than good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:30 Uttoxeter

Cawthorne Banker

11st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Proven winner who had lost his way but got back on track with a near miss at Worcester (2m, good) 20 days ago; just 2lb higher but the new blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) cast some doubts.

4/1

2nd

7

17th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:47 Worcester

Cawthorne Banker

10st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won handicaps at Fontwell (2m1f, good to soft) and Uttoxeter (2m, good) last autumn but he's been back in the doldrums since; now 3lb lower than for his last success but he needs a major revival.

10/1

5th

7

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Cawthorne Banker

10st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won twice in the space of three starts last year but has soon returned to the doldrums; can't be supported with any confidence.

25/1

Form:

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Close up in the final two of five point starts but he had more to do on his Exeter debut (20-1) last month and faded out of contention; should have improvement in him at some stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

26th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 5

16:28 Wetherby

Shady B

12st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

didn't always jump with fluency, held up in rear, not fluent 5th

5/2

1st

5

6th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:05 Ffos Las

Shady B

11st 3lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

held up in rear, headway 5 out, challenging going best 3 out, led 2 out, ridden when good jump last, went clear run-in, readily

4/1

5

6th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:05 Ffos Las

Shady B

11st 3lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Wind surgery preceded two good runs last March, including a narrow win at Chepstow (near 3m, soft; 2lb higher today); reappearance third at Uttoxeter on New Year's Eve wasn't bad and he's had another wind operation since.

4/1

Form: 380

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Close third of eight on bumper debut but he ran poorly in October and his hurdle debut at Wincanton (1m7f, soft; 66-1) before Christmas wasn't too eyecatching either; handicaps may be the answer after this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

1st Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:40 Worcester

Bahio Boum

10st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

With a top stable and remains unexposed but made very underwhelming handicap hurdle debut when seventh of eight at Stratford (2m6f, good) last month and needs to take a big step forward on this chasing debut.

12/1

7th

6

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

18:20 Stratford

Bahio Boum

11st 0lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Cut little ice in three slow-ground maiden/novice hurdles during the winter (1m7f-2m) but was placed in a good-ground bumper in September and is back on a quicker surface for today's handicap hurdle debut; moves up in trip; no surprise if he displays significant improvement.

7/2

7th

6

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

18:20 Stratford

Bahio Boum

11st 0lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

Cut little ice in three slow-ground maiden/novice hurdles during the winter (1m7f-2m) but was placed in a good-ground bumper in September and is back on a quicker surface for today's handicap hurdle debut; moves up in trip; no surprise if he displays significant improvement.

7/2

11/4

Form: 6

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Wide-margin Flat winner over 2m in the French provinces last April; sold 62,000euros since; just 11-2 for his Exeter stable/hurdle debut (2m, good to soft) in a better race than this last month, where he took a good hold but ran well for a long way; had wind surgery since; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Johannes

10st 10lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: David Pipe

Made a winning handicap debut at Taunton (about 2m3f, soft) 13 months ago but the wheels have come off on a variety of ground since, pulled up in four of those five starts and tailed off in the other; blinkers (one sibling wore them for her two wins) are now given a go, replacing recent cheekpieces.

14/1

4

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Johannes

10st 10lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: David Pipe

led, clear after 2nd, reduced lead when slow jump and headed 3rd

14/1

15

21st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

16:30 Exeter

Johannes

10st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

towards rear, not fluent 4th

33/1

Form: 90

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished last of four in his sole point and tailed off in both starts for this yard, in a bumper and a 2m novice over C&D.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

19:27 Newton Abbot

Bruce Gobbler

10st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Kayley Woollacott

Did not take to chasing this spring (two attempts) and now reverts to hurdling; quite well handicapped if judged on his two Taunton runs (2m/2m3f) towards end of last season; not ruled out.

9/1

7

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:50 Worcester

Bruce Gobbler

10st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Kayley Woollacott

2m4f point winner; never really threatened to win over hurdles and the same again on recent chase debut; needs a lift from cheekpieces.

12/1

5

15th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:40 Fontwell

Bruce Gobbler

10st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Kayley Woollacott

Maiden under rules but he did keep galloping on his final two runs over hurdles, at 2m and 2m3f; pedigree points to improvement over fences.

6/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced on the Flat, best effort when winning 1m4f AW in September (RPR 61); should be open to some improvement but has a Flat pedigree and soft ground is also a worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

14:15 Chepstow

Cornish Storm

11st 7lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Zoe Hawkins

Won back-to-back handicaps at Taunton (2m3f, good) and Warwick (2m, heavy) during the winter but he flopped at Newbury in final run for Stuart Kittow; new headgear is now tried and he has a bit to prove on first run for new trainer.

16/1

5th

4

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

15:00 Newbury

Cornish Storm

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Stuart Kittow

2-2 since the cheekpieces went on, winning narrowly at Taunton (2m3f, good) but easier when making all at Warwick (2m, heavy); a collective 9lb rise demands more but should give himself every chance under a positive ride.

11/2

1st

3

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Warwick

Cornish Storm

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Stuart Kittow

Just held on to score in first-time cheekpieces at Taunton (2m3f, good) in December and now 2-11 over hurdles; only 3lb higher here but the slower ground is probably not in his favour.

5/1

Non-runners

Get The Value

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £43.90
Straight Forecast £49.82
Trifecta £222.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Johannes

POSTDATA:

Lhebayeb

WEST COUNTRY:

Cawthorne Banker

Daily Record:

The Gypsy Davey

RP RATINGS:

Johannes

The Times:

Johannes

Daily Mail:

Johannes

D Express:

Johannes

Daily Mirror:

Johannes

The Sun:

Johannes

Telegraph:

Lhebayeb

The Guardian:

Lhebayeb

The Star:

Lhebayeb