November 24 / 14.50 Taunton

14.50

Good

Bet At racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6753.04
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
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Bet At racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 231-22 C BF

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
The first of two wins around 2m last season came here; made an excellent return to action after wind surgery when narrowly denied over an extended 2m1f at Fontwell (good) 11 days ago; turns out again before a 3lb rise kicks in; sure to go close at the least if coping with a second outing in quick succession after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

2nd Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 2

13:40 Newbury

Irish Hill

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

in touch with leaders, towards rear when not fluent 5 out, outpaced 3 out

9/1

4th

6

13th Nov 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Kempton

Irish Hill

10st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Made good progress last season, with the latest of three wins gained in valuable Ascot handicap (2m3f, good to soft) in February; safely held at Cheltenham Festival in March and tailed off at Aintree in April but will be dangerous here if back on song after his break; had second wind op in July.

3/1

14th

17

14th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Irish Hill

11st 1lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Paul Nicholls

Won three handicaps in a row this winter (2m3f/2m4f, good/good to soft); having gone up the weights he finished in midfield in the Martin Pipe (2m4f, soft) at Cheltenham last month but perhaps the ground wasn't ideal and this 5yo may still have potential when he's back on a better surface.

20/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 322-11

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Made it 2-2 over hurdles when seeing off a fellow hurdle debut scorer at Ludlow (2m5f, good) three weeks ago; those successes came in small-field events so this is certainly a more competitive scenario but he looks a useful prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

23rd Nov 2023

Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 3

14:40 Wincanton

Itso Fury

11st 10lb

J: James Smith

T: Jonjo O’Neill

towards rear but in touch with leaders, headway and prominent after 3 out, soon disputed lead

8/1

0

1

24th Oct 2023

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 3

16:00 Exeter

Itso Fury

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo O’Neill

2-5 during first season over hurdles; signed off with creditable fifth in valuable final of this Challenger Stayers' series at Haydock (3m, good to soft) in April and resumes on a 1lb lower mark; no surprise if he features.

7/1

5th

4

8th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Itso Fury

11st 7lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Won two small-field minor events (2m5f) to go 2-2 over hurdles and has held his own in both handicaps (2m3f/2m7f), last time at Ascot not given too stern a time once his chance of victory had passed (after three months away); stable has a good record in this race and won it 12 months ago with a not dissimilar type who was beaten the time before; player.

7/2

16/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: 7/6P-2

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won his first three races over hurdles in 2020 (all novices); lost his way badly on his next four outings but showed a good chunk of his old ability still remains when second of six on his Ludlow reappearance (2m, good to firm) five weeks ago; needs to build on that now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

11th Oct 2023

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:20 Ludlow

Petrastar

10st 5lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: D J Jeffreys

didn't jump with fluency, held up in last, jumped right and lost ground 4 out, soon outpaced, eased after 2 out, tailed off

6/1

3rd

4

11th Sep 2023

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

16:47 Perth

Petrastar

10st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: D J Jeffreys

Made it second-time lucky over fences when scoring over C&D (good to soft) in June but he's a headstrong sort who flopped back over hurdles here last time; has bit to prove again after that and this is a step back up in grade.

3/1

Form: 143-51 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Now a dual hurdle and chase winner having returned from a break to score in a small field over fences at Plumpton (2m3f, good) last month; in a deeper race back over hurdles but Freddie Gordon takes 7lb off this time and the stable is in good form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

22nd Oct 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Kempton

Pasvolsky

11st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

prominent

4/1

1st

11

24th Apr 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:55 Kempton

Pasvolsky

10st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

in rear, midfield 4 out, prominent 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, shaken up when good jump last, kept on

16/1

6th

4

5th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

17:05 Wincanton

Pasvolsky

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Began season with small-field chase win at Plumpton (2m3f, good) in October but not seen since a lesser effort over hurdles the following month; can evidently go well fresh but others in this line-up appeal more.

10/1

Form: 153-61 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Left her reappearance run well behind when landing a second C&D success (good) a fortnight ago; ought to remain competitive after a 3lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

13th Nov 2023

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:30 Kempton

Love Actually

10st 10lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Keiran Burke

Began chasing career with two wins last winter, the latter gained here (3m, good); ended last season with two poor performances on slow ground and has fitness to prove after 200-day break, but can cope with today's drop back in trip and ought to appreciate the return to a sound surface.

16/1

4th

4

27th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

19:35 Taunton

Love Actually

11st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Keiran Burke

Dual hurdle winner who made a good start over fences when scoring over C&D (good to soft) in December and at Kempton (3m, good) in February; pulled up in her hat-trick bid at Fontwell but she had an excuse on heavy ground and it wouldn't be a surprise if she bounced back with a bold bid.

8/1

2

18th Mar 2023

Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

16:20 Fontwell

Love Actually

11st 3lb

J: Jamie Moore

T: Keiran Burke

took keen hold, raced in second, slow jump 3rd, not fluent 11th, soon shaken up, not fluent 12th, soon dropped to last, tailed off and pulled up after 13th

9/4

OUR TIP

Form: 1332P- C

Last run: 222 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent over fences last season, including a 2m2f course success; reverts to hurdles for the first time since early-2020 on his reappearance; has gone well fresh before.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

24th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 51y

Class 3

13:50 Catterick

Quoi De Neuf

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Evan Williams

held up in rear, pushed along and headway 3 out, good jump and pressed leaders 2 out, ridden and switched left run-in, weakened gradually inside final 110yds

9/1

Form: -1112P D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Notched three chase wins at the start of the summer but his run of good form came to abrupt halt when distant second of four at Uttoxeter in July and he was pulled up back from a break at Stratford four weeks ago; has a bit to prove now reverting to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

12th Oct 2023

Good To Firm

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

14:50 Exeter

Kauto The King

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Not the easiest to predict but it was career win number nine when returning from wind surgery with a narrow success over Romanor at Newton Abbot (2m, good; fine over this far); Worcester was underwhelming, for all that he was a shade out of the weights.

6/1

5th

7

18th Sep 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Worcester

Kauto The King

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

led, headed before 4 out, weakened before 2 out

7/1

1st

4

2nd Sep 2023

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 2

16:52 Newton Abbot

Kauto The King

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Eight-time winner over fences but has regressed since last summer and weakened into fourth after making the running here (2m5f, good) at end of July; will be fine over today's shorter trip but is 4lb out of the weights and needs recent wind op to have made a difference.

12/1

Form: 31-322 D

Last run: 93 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Three wins over hurdles, most recently at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) in March when tried in cheekpieces for the first time; blinkered first time, remote second in a match race over fences when last seen in August; cheekpieces make a quick return now back hurdling; only 1lb above that winning Fontwell mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th Nov 2022

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 3

14:50 Taunton

Notre Pari

11st 10lb

J: William Kennedy

T: Olly Murphy

Three wins over hurdles, most recently at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) in March when tried in cheekpieces for the first time; blinkered first time, remote second in a match race over fences when last seen in August; cheekpieces make a quick return now back hurdling; only 1lb above that winning Fontwell mark.

14/1

2nd

2

23rd Aug 2022

Good

2m 1f 165y

Class 3

16:30 Fontwell

Notre Pari

11st 4lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Olly Murphy

jumped slightly right throughout, prominent, nudged along with one circuit to go, shaken up after 9th, ridden home turn, well held from 2 out

11/10

Form: -24241

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Came good at the sixth time of asking over hurdles in 2m Gowran maiden (yielding) in September; subsequently sold out of Gordon Elliott's stable for £15,000; hard to argue his opening handicap mark looks lenient; probably best to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

1st Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:05 Worcester

Wee Willie Nail

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Harper

Winner last September (2m, yielding) for Gordon Elliott but has been pulled up in all three starts for this yard, the latest after a break.

66/1

3

26th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:00 Southwell

Wee Willie Nail

11st 10lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Richard Harper

Winner last September (2m, yielding) for Gordon Elliott but has been pulled up in all three starts for this yard, the latest after a break.

100/1

6

9th Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:20 Market Rasen

Wee Willie Nail

11st 3lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Richard Harper

Winner last September (on final start for Gordon Elliott): pulled up in both starts for this yard at the end of the year and absent since.

66/1

Form: 2-P18P D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Recorded his third hurdle win when scoring off 4lb lower at Worcester (2m4f, good) in August but he has a bit to prove afer two heavy defeats since (chase latterly); has first-time cheekpieces added to his regular tongue-strap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

24th Nov 2022

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 3

14:50 Taunton

Translink

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Recorded his third hurdle win when scoring off 4lb lower at Worcester (2m4f, good) in August but he has a bit to prove afer two heavy defeats since (chase latterly); has first-time cheekpieces added to his regular tongue-strap.

25/1

2

31st Oct 2022

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 4

15:35 Hereford

Translink

11st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Recorded his third hurdle win when scoring off 4lb lower at Worcester (2m4f, good) in August but he was disappointing in his follow-up bid at Southwell last month; has something to prove after that heavy defeat and was pulled up in his only previous chase run in May.

15/2

8th

1

27th Sep 2022

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:36 Southwell

Translink

12st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

midfield, chased leaders 5th, weakened from 3 out (trainer's rep had no explanation for the poor form shown)

100/30

Form: 224516 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
First run after wind surgery when narrowly prevailing in a 2m4f handicap at Carlisle (good to soft) but a 3lb rise found her out at Exeter since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

13th Nov 2023

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:30 Kempton

Mulberry Hill

11st 6lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

In process of running big race before falling on chasing debut in May and returned to fences with creditable third of 15 at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) last month, having come from a long way off the pace; must be considered.

7/1

3rd

5

26th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Carlisle

Mulberry Hill

11st 9lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Fell two out on sole chase start at Ludlow (2m4f, good) in May and she swerved sharply right and ran out at the final flight at Uttoxeter (2m4f, heavy) in July when last seen; however, she was running really well each time and she won over hurdles here (2m4f, good to soft) last October on her only visit to Carlisle; capable of a bold show if avoiding mishap.

7/1

Form: 51421/ C

Last run: 728 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Off since winning the 3m novice handicap on this card two years ago; drops in trip on his belated return but he races off that successful mark and the stable is in form so it'll be interesting to see if there's any strength behind him in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

30th Dec 2022

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

15:45 Taunton

Nobel Joshua

12st 0lb

J: Thomasina Eyston

T: David Pipe

2lb higher when winning a 3m handicap here just over two years ago but wasn't seen again until this November when pulled up over C&D; something to prove after that.

16/1

11

24th Nov 2022

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 3

14:50 Taunton

Nobel Joshua

10st 13lb

J: Tom Scudamore

T: David Pipe

Off since winning the 3m novice handicap on this card two years ago; drops in trip on his belated return but he races off that successful mark and the stable is in form so it'll be interesting to see if there's any strength behind him in the betting.

11/1

Non-runners

Kauto The King, Translink, Mulberry Hill

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.40
Straight Forecast £7.48
Tricast £67.05
Trifecta £65.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Irish Hill

WEST COUNTRY:

Itso Fury

The Times:

Love Actually

RP Ratings:

Irish Hill

TOPSPEED:

Irish Hill

POSTDATA:

Irish Hill

The Guardian:

Irish Hill

Daily Mail:

Irish Hill

D Express:

Irish Hill

Telegraph:

Itso Fury

The Sun:

Itso Fury

Daily Record:

Itso Fury

Daily Mirror:

Love Actually

The Star:

Love Actually