February 06 / 13.50 Taunton

13.50

Good

Racing TV Club Day Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4955.32
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Racing TV Club Day Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1-21U

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Point, bumper and Market Rasen novice winner; work to do when he unseated three out at Lingfield 16 days ago but the form of his previous two hurdle outings makes him a leading contender and he's proved his stamina.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

The Doyen Chief

11st 3lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Better chaser than hurdler, third win coming in 3m Kempton handicap in January (good); better again when second in better-class contest over same C&D following month, disappointingly never counted in Ultima at Cheltenham latest; possibly best going right-handed so could go well here, especially if ground continues to dry out.

12/1

9th

15

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

The Doyen Chief

10st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Won at Kempton (3m, good) in January and good second in competitive handicap there (3m, good to soft) last month; could give another good account but he didn't quite stay when fifth here (extended 3m2f, good to soft) in December and it's possible he'll again prove vulnerable up the hill.

33/1

2nd

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

The Doyen Chief

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Closely matched with Deep Cave on their Bangor clash in November (soft) and, back at 3m from 3m2f, he dug deep for a course win last month (good); only went up 1lb for that and the runner-up ran well in defeat last weekend at Ascot.

8/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 42-122 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Cheltenham 2m5f Grade 1 novice entry; 10l winner on hurdle debut at Wincanton (1m7f, good) and improved again when second at Kempton (2m, good); the latter form is the best in this line-up but he did not reproduce it when second at 2-5 in a Doncaster novice four weeks ago; should stay beyond 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

15:50 Market Rasen

Classic King

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Better known as a hurdler and has had some jumping issues over fences (even when he won) but he kept on well for clear second in first-time cheekpieces at Stratford (2m6f, good) six weeks ago and gets another chance off the same mark here.

9/4

2nd

1

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Classic King

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Scored over fences at Doncaster (2m3f) last term; in good nick without winning over hurdles this season until 17th in Pertemps Hurdle at Cheltenham 16 days ago; back chasing here with cheekpieces fitted and no forlorn hope.

5/2

17th

10

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Classic King

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Did well at 2m3f-2m5f when reverting to hurdles for his last three starts last season; not quite so good this term and he did not shout stamina when upped to 3m for last two outings; others have more compelling claims.

25/1

OUR TIP

16/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 163-80

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Front-running Kempton win as juvenile; well beaten but not disgraced in France (2m2f) in November; handicap debut at Wincanton (2m4f) last time, however, saw him beaten 33l at 16-1 and he needs major overall improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Jupiter Allen

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Chester Williams

Won twice as a novice last season and ended up in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham (tailed off after racing freely); this campaign is going well and he should stay okay as he wasn't stopping when runner-up over Exeter's super-stiff 3m6f in December (soft); the race he won at Wincanton last time (3m1f, heavy; cheekpieces returned) rather fell apart but he did hack up and the 6lb rise could been a whole lot worse; it's a nagging concern that all five wins have been on right-handed tracks but there's lots to like otherwise about this 7yo.

9/1

1st

4

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

15:33 Wincanton

Jupiter Allen

11st 0lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Chester Williams

Dual chase winner who goes well in the mud and he could have done with slower ground when a 6l third over C&D on Boxing Day (good to soft); entitled to step up on that effort here and enters the reckoning.

5/2

11th

18

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Jupiter Allen

10st 7lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Scored at Exeter (3m, good to soft) in October on second attempt over fences and brushed two lesser efforts aside with a game, front-running win in first-time cheekpieces at Taunton (2m7f, soft) five weeks ago; up 4lb but stays 3m well and could have more to offer.

50/1

Form: 39

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hooded for both starts (not today); third of 11 here (2m, good to soft) on first attempt, held up out the back but staying on encouragingly; however, he suffered a heavy defeat when just 4-1 at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) seven weeks ago; upped in trip but needs to leave latest run way behind him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Tiny Tetley

12st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won four times over hurdles last season (2m7f-3m) but chasing didn't go to plan in the autumn and he was soundly beaten when back over hurdles on Boxing Day; needs to get career back on track.

16/1

7th

5

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Tiny Tetley

11st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

In excellent form in the spring, completing hat-trick with ready success in series final at Haydock (3m) in April before going very close in another competitive handicap over that C&D (also on good) in May; obvious contender if in similar nick after 168-day break.

16/1

2nd

4

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Tiny Tetley

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Ended last season in excellent form, completing a hat-trick with a ready C&D success (good; Thank You Ma'am second) in a quite valuable series final three weeks ago; last two wins were under today's claiming rider Callum Pritchard; probably still on the upgrade; good chance.

7/2

Form: 1P-41 CD

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
All four starts on good to soft; takes a strong hold, has disappointed twice and has something to learn as a hurdler; however, he won at 10-11 over C&D last time (needs much more in this line-up) and looked capable of better, confirmation of which had already been delivered with an impressive bumper win on debut and that was also at this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:30 Newton Abbot

Centara

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Highly progressive over fences in the first half of last season, winning here four times (2m, good to soft/good); 2m5f here appeared to stretch him last month following some time off; has a lower mark to work with back over hurdles and he could play a leading role back down in trip.

7/2

6th

4

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Newton Abbot

Centara

11st 5lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Highly progressive over fences last summer, winning five handicaps (four here) at around 2m on ground no worse than good to soft, though he ended the campaign pulled up at Cheltenham; has since had a second wind op and could find more at this longer trip (2m3f hurdle winner), which will be needed off this mark following a break.

11/2

1

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Centara

11st 12lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Highly progressive over fences, making it five handicap wins for the campaign (2m, good/good to soft) when making all in three-runner race at Newton Abbot last time; further progress is possible but necessary in this warm contest; can jump to the right.

16/1

Form: 6F

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well held in a Sandown bumper; 66-1 for novice hurdle over C&D (good to soft) at end of December but was mounting a challenge and almost upsides the winner Centara when falling at the final flight; has a pretty useful jumping pedigree too, so looks set for a good deal better if none the worse for that fall.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:23 Newton Abbot

Super Sabre Sam

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

Dual hurdle winner who hit a personal best with his last success at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in May; 6lb higher on his return but he's a brother to a useful chaser and needs a close look on this switch to fences.

7/2

5

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:23 Newton Abbot

Super Sabre Sam

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

Dual hurdle winner who hit a personal best with his last success at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in May; 6lb higher on his return but he's a brother to a useful chaser and needs a close look on this switch to fences.

7/2

1st

1

15th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

19:10 Fontwell

Super Sabre Sam

11st 12lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Neil Mulholland

Won his maiden here over 2m3f on soft; hasn't look on that good a mark in handicaps but was beaten under 5l over C&D last time in first-time cheekpieces; each-way claims.

4/1

Form:

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £25,000 soon after Irish point second in May 2022; 624-day absence before his remote finish when 80-1 for novice hurdle at Fontwell (2m3f, soft) nine days ago, so best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:10 Plumpton

Hidalgo Des Bordes

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Impressed on chase debut at Exeter (2m2f, good; first-time tongue-tie) in April and next race only six days on perhaps came too soon; ran better the following month and has had wind surgery during his break; might be on a tough mark but respected.

3/1

1

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:10 Plumpton

Hidalgo Des Bordes

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Impressed on chase debut at Exeter (2m2f, good; first-time tongue-tie) in April and next race only six days on perhaps came too soon; ran better the following month and has had wind surgery during his break; might be on a tough mark but respected.

3/1

3rd

1

26th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

15:14 Fontwell

Hidalgo Des Bordes

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Made an impressive winning chase debut at Exeter (2m2f, good; first-time tongue-tie) last month but disappointed under a 7lb penalty at Warwick (2m, good; 4-5) six days later; perhaps the race came too soon (he reportedly made a respiratory noise) and he is shortlisted, despite another 6lb rise, if back on song.

7/2

Form: 85

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten about 30l when 100-1 at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) and 250-1 at this track (2m, good to soft); while this step up in trip should suit, he has no serious form claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

6th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:00 Kelso

Captain Marco

11st 4lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tim Vaughan

prominent behind clear leaders

12/1

11th

13

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:30 Exeter

Captain Marco

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Mitchell Hunt

Hasn't yet managed to get competitive in four attempts and probably needs a favour from the handicapper before doing so.

50/1

11th

13

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:30 Exeter

Captain Marco

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Mitchell Hunt

Hasn't yet managed to get competitive in four attempts and probably needs a favour from the handicapper before doing so.

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to fair 2m5f hurdle winner I Shut That D'Or; dam half-sister to smart 2m-2m6f chase winner Ultragold; however, tailed off in an Irish maiden point (3m, good) last May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

6th Feb 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:50 Taunton

JAttendrai

11st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Matt Sheppard

didn't always jump with fluency, always behind

66/1

Non-runners

Scout Master

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.40
Straight Forecast £5.54
Trifecta £30.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Classic King

WEST COUNTRY:

Centara

The Guardian:

The Doyen Chief

The Times:

Tiny Tetley

Telegraph:

Centara

D Express:

Centara

Daily Record:

Centara

The Sun:

The Doyen Chief

The Star:

The Doyen Chief

RP RATINGS:

Classic King

TOPSPEED:

Classic King

POSTDATA:

Classic King

Daily Mail:

Classic King

Daily Mirror:

Classic King