January 20 / 15.25 Taunton

15.25

Good To Soft

NFU & NFUM Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4832.11
  • 2m 7f 198y
  • Class 5
  • 16 runners
RTV
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NFU & NFUM Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: -21P75

Last run: 98 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Created pretty good impression when easily winning Southwell maiden (2m4f, good) last June, despite racing too freely, but subsequent handicap form has been disappointing; will find this easier than last two assignments but is not bred to benefit from the step up in trip and has a lot more to prove than some; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Faded Fantasy

11st 2lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Ran creditably at Hereford (3m1f) last time, bouncing back from two poor efforts, but this looks a tougher assignment; still seeking first handicap success above Class 5.

20/1

9th

11

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Faded Fantasy

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Christian Williams

Dual hurdle winner on good ground this summer (2m7f/3m2f); last month's chasing defeat is probably best overlooked (didn't jump well enough) but he has high mileage for his age and might be vulnerable in this grade.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 14-334

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Has not made any further progress since her novice win last March but gave pretty good account when fourth at Market Rasen (2m7f, good to soft) in November and benefits from Jack Hogan's useful 3lb claim here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

17th Oct 2024

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

15:28 Wincanton

Just Sophie

11st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

prominent, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before 2 out

25/1

12th

2

6th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:40 Warwick

Just Sophie

11st 11lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

Won a Huntingdon novice (2m3f, good) last March but she's not gone on from that and was pulled at Plumpton (3m1f, soft) in final run during the winter; now drops back in trip but she needs a major revival after 105 days off; cheekpieces added.

14/1

12th

2

6th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:40 Warwick

Just Sophie

11st 11lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

Won a Huntingdon novice (2m3f, good) last March but she's not gone on from that and was pulled at Plumpton (3m1f, soft) in final run during the winter; now drops back in trip but she needs a major revival after 105 days off; cheekpieces added.

14/1

Form: 6-82F8

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Safely held at Warwick (2m5f, soft) in November, after a break, and now 0-11 under all codes; ought to be better suited by today's drier ground but others appeal more all the same.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 4

18:15 Warwick

Kilfilum Woods

12st 1lb

J: Mr Huw Edwards

T: Francesca Poste

Found only the prolific Grace A Vous Enki too good in the Lady Dudley Cup classic at Chaddesley Corbett last time (3m2f), having won two opens over shorter immediately before (all on good); first-fence casualty when last seen in a hunter chase, but generally a safe conveyance nowadays.

3/1

7

30th May 2025

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 2

19:00 Stratford

Kilfilum Woods

12st 0lb

J: Miss Clara Brewitt

T: Francesca Poste

Belated first career win last November opened the floodgates, as three more point wins and (last time) a slowly run Huntingdon hunter chase (beat Coolagh Park and Dr Lockdown) have followed; goes on all track types and has his going again, but likely career best required.

25/1

7

30th May 2025

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 2

19:00 Stratford

Kilfilum Woods

12st 0lb

J: Miss Clara Brewitt

T: Francesca Poste

Belated first career win last November opened the floodgates, as three more point wins and (last time) a slowly run Huntingdon hunter chase (beat Coolagh Park and Dr Lockdown) have followed; goes on all track types and has his going again, but likely career best required.

25/1

Abandoned

Form: 33-21P BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Pulled up at about halfway (lost action) at Exeter on New Year's Day but opened his account in 15-runner handicap there (2m5f, good to soft) in November and is open to further progress if all goes to plan here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

15th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

19:10 Fontwell

Danton

11st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Harry Fry

Out of sorts when pulled up on last two appearances (chase/hurdle); does return from a break on a fair mark so difficult to dismiss.

10/1

7th

5

15th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

19:10 Fontwell

Danton

11st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Harry Fry

Out of sorts when pulled up on last two appearances (chase/hurdle); does return from a break on a fair mark so difficult to dismiss.

10/1

Form: 2-PP21

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Built upon pleasing stable debut when battling on well for narrow win at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft; front pair clear) last month; 7lb rise demands more here but she might have untapped potential over the new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

24th Oct 2024

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:20 Ludlow

Mistral Nell

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bumper/hurdle winner; back to her very best when a near miss at Kelso in May (3m2f, good to soft) and just 1lb higher for this switch to fences; needs considering.

7/1

2nd

4

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:00 Kelso

Mistral Nell

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent on outer, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and led narrowly approaching last, edged left inside final 110yds, headed final strides

3/1

2nd

4

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:00 Kelso

Mistral Nell

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent on outer, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and led narrowly approaching last, edged left inside final 110yds, headed final strides

3/1

Form: /P-PPU

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Won two points last spring but has failed to complete all three races since returned to racing under rules in the autumn and arrives here with some questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

21st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Warwick

Lucky So And So

12st 0lb

J: Miss Madison Martin

T: Nicky Martin

raced wide, disputed lead, pressed leader before 5th, weakened on turn before 2 out

5/1

Form: 66-43

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Just a respectable third of seven in Exeter novice (2m5f, soft) last month, after a break, but remains very unexposed and has plenty of scope for improvement in handicaps for his top stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

25th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Warwick

Jemura

12st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Placed on handicap hurdle debut at Fontwell (2m5f soft) in January but his subsequent chasing debut was underwhelming and he was pulled up when switched back to hurdles and tried in cheekpieces this month; now back over fences with blinkers fitted; remains unexposed but has a point to prove.

8/1

1

25th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Warwick

Jemura

12st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Placed on handicap hurdle debut at Fontwell (2m5f soft) in January but his subsequent chasing debut was underwhelming and he was pulled up when switched back to hurdles and tried in cheekpieces this month; now back over fences with blinkers fitted; remains unexposed but has a point to prove.

8/1

5

7th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

15:00 Exeter

Jemura

11st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Lightly raced 6yo who was placed on handicap debut at Fontwell (2m5f, soft) in January; rather disappointing when upped to 3m1f for chasing debut the following month and now sports cheekpieces but could still have potential.

7/1

Abandoned

Form: 15-P0P

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Looked out of sorts on all three appearances this season but staged sudden revival when well backed at Wincanton (2m5f, good to soft) last March and is worth a glance in the betting; tongue-tie removed; hood on for first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

14:50 Wetherby

Ithaka

11st 10lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Ryan Potter

Pulled up in both starts since opening his chase account in Hereford contest; still seeking first success above Class 5; cheekpieces added.

14/1

4

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Ithaka

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Ryan Potter

Perhaps found out by the 3m6f trip at Exeter and heavy ground wasn't ideal when best efforts have been on good to soft or good; again reservations on that score here, but he was running well prior to last time.

10/1

8

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:45 Exeter

Ithaka

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Ryan Potter

4l winner under Freddie Mitchell at Hereford (extended 3m1f) in January on latest outing but 8lb higher today, including 3lb out of the handicap; also not proven on worse than good to soft (had two attempts on soft) and this sort of trip is something new to him.

9/1

Form: -11311 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Progressive 7yo who led close home at Ascot (2m7f, good) last month and is now 4-5 for current stable (including a C&D win); ideally wants the ground to dry out here but needs to be taken very seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

6th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:05 Market Rasen

Top Cloud

10st 9lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Won in October on first two starts for yard (about 2m6f, good/good to firm) before fair third at Huntingdon (3m1f, good to soft) and he's returned to winning ways the last twice (3m/2m7f, good); he'll have something to prove if the ground is slower than good but he's clearly thriving and his winning spree may well continue if conditions aren't an issue.

9/4

Form: 8303

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who has shown significant promise in two of his three qualifying races, most recently when keeping-on third at Exeter (2m, heavy) on New Year's Day; hiked up in trip for today's handicap debut and could easily have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

Chauffeur Driven

11st 5lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Pulled up on chase debut latest; has placed form over hurdles but his best runs have come with give underfoot.

10/1

7th

3

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

Chauffeur Driven

11st 5lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Pulled up on chase debut latest; has placed form over hurdles but his best runs have come with give underfoot.

10/1

8

6th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:30 Ffos Las

Chauffeur Driven

11st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

0-12 over hurdles; ran well when second in first-time visor at Exeter (2m5f, heavy) two starts ago but is far too inconsistent to rely upon heavily, and drying ground may not be ideal for him on this chasing debut.

12/1

Form: F73-U1

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Came good over hurdles at fifth attempt, with hard-fought win at Exeter (2m5f, soft) last month; that form has been well advertised by the third since and this fellow should be fine on today's faster ground; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:07 Ludlow

Shuil Ceoil

11st 12lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Placed on last two starts, though was some 23l and 11l behind the winners (tried a visor last time); still needs a second look with him back in some sort of form and he goes well in the mud.

5/1

16

10th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:55 Chepstow

Shuil Ceoil

11st 3lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

2-14 over hurdles; suited by this C&D but absent since a below-par run in April and others in this line-up have much more potential.

25/1

Abandoned

Form: /3972- D

Last run: 491 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Triple hurdle winner in 2021; good second at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good to soft) on latest outing but that was back in September 2022 and his fitness needs to be taken on trust here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

14th Jun 2024

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

19:55 Newton Abbot

Espinator

11st 9lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Adrian Wintle

Lightly raced since his C&D win in September 2021 and has looked out of sorts on both appearances this year; needs the refitted cheekpieces to give him a significant boost; seems best on good/good to soft ground.

33/1

11th

4

6th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 5

18:05 Warwick

Espinator

11st 11lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Adrian Wintle

towards rear

25/1

11th

4

6th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 5

18:05 Warwick

Espinator

11st 11lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Adrian Wintle

towards rear

25/1

Form: 4/4380 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
11-time hurdle winner; ran okay at Uttoxeter (2m7f, soft) in November, his second start after a long layoff, but two heavy defeats have followed (2m/2m4f); moves back up in trip today but considered only if lively in betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

21st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

13:40 Stratford

Uno Mas

11st 6lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

12-time winner over hurdles, most recently when exploiting plummeting mark at Southwell (2m4f, heavy) this month; still well handicapped on older form and today's trip-and-ground combination should suit him better.

11/2

11th

7

21st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

13:40 Stratford

Uno Mas

11st 6lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

12-time winner over hurdles, most recently when exploiting plummeting mark at Southwell (2m4f, heavy) this month; still well handicapped on older form and today's trip-and-ground combination should suit him better.

11/2

1st

6

4th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:45 Southwell

Uno Mas

11st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

11-time hurdle winner (albeit not since 2011); well beaten on all four outings this year but is sliding down the weights and may yet stage a revival; worth keeping an eye on in the betting.

14/1

Form: 4-6498

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Chasing did not really go to plan in the autumn (three attempts) but she ran well to a point when back over hurdles on heavy ground last month; ought to be better suited by today's quicker conditions and is now 9lb lower than when going close over C&D last March; sports first-time cheekpieces/tongue-tie; worth a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

30th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:05 Newton Abbot

My Girl Katie

12st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Grace Harris

Beat Testlight here in July but not in their rematch; bounced off the fast ground when winning well at Stratford 12 days ago to earn this 8lb higher mark; had some soft-ground form back in the day.

13/8

5

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

17:00 Stratford

My Girl Katie

10st 8lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Grace Harris

Dual point winner this spring; well beaten over hurdles on rules return in June but won comfortably when back over fences at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) last month and ran well in defeat over that C&D a fortnight later; likely contender again.

9/4

Abandoned

Form: 43-33P

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Can't really blame the heavy ground for last month's very disappointing 3m run but made the frame in her first two handicaps (2m2f/2m3f) and may still have untapped potential over staying trips.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

27th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:56 Newton Abbot

Sams Amour

10st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Keiran Burke

Triple hurdle winner (2m2f-2m5f) in 2024 but she's struggled in last six runs and was pulled up here (3m2f) three weeks ago; has plenty to prove and needs a big turnaround back in trip.

20/1

6

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:20 Newton Abbot

Sams Amour

11st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Keiran Burke

Triple hurdle winner (2m2f-2m5f) in 2024 but she's struggled in last five starts, including over C&D last month on her penultimate run; has plenty to prove and needs a major revival.

16/1

6th

3

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 4

19:00 Taunton

Sams Amour

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Keiran Burke

Triple hurdle winner (2m2f-2m5f) in 2024 but she struggled in her final three runs last year (reportedly bled from the nose on chase debut final time) and did so again when returned to action 18 days ago; now 7lb below her peak mark.

33/1

Form: 37-F2P

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
In front when falling two out on stable debut at Huntingdon (3m1f, good to soft) in October and good second at Hereford (3m1f, good) next time; subsequent defeat on heavy ground is not viewed harshly and he helps to give his connections a strong hand in this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

12th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

12:58 Huntingdon

Aldsworth

11st 8lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Best granted a sharp, flat right-handed track, but present attainment level uncertain having overraced in front on November's seasonal return here (debuted blinkers are retained); from the family of Hand Inn Hand and Tom Brodie, so may yet take to his new vocation of chasing.

10/1

Verdict

Several of these warrant consideration but it might be worth chancing MY GIRL KATIE, who returns to the scene of her career-best performance. Grace Harris’ mare didn’t really take to chasing in the autumn but she ran well before tiring on heavy ground over hurdles last month and has slipped to a tempting mark. Top Cloud has done very well since joining Robbie Llewellyn and is second choice, ahead of Danton, Mistral Nell, Jemura and Shuil Ceoil.[Chris Wilson]