December 08 / 13.35 Taunton

13.35

Good

Taunton Rotary Centenary Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
RTV
View Course
Taunton Rotary Centenary Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/11 (Won)

  • Win: £1.62
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 8-1 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful stayer on the Flat in France and underwent a breathing operation straight after finishing tailed off in the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle at Kempton in February; duly looked a very different proposition when hacking up over C&D (good) last month and he's full of promise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 1

16:02 Sandown

Rubaud

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Form dipped in Cheltenham Festival handicap returned to fences last time; multiple Grade 2 winner but has raced mostly at about 2m and isn't crying out for this step back up in trip; first go beyond a sharp 2m4f.

14/1

3

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Rubaud

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Listed/Grade 2 wins over hurdles this term; goes back over fences for the first time since last May and he's 1-5 in this sphere, the win coming in a Grade 2 novice last February; sixth of 15 off this mark in the Scottish Champion Hurdle in April 2024 when he last tackled a handicap; may be vulnerable.

16/1

2nd

1

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 50y

Class 1

13:35 Wincanton

Rubaud

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Front-runner who is 2-3 since returned to hurdles from fences, winning races at Kempton (Listed) and Wincanton (Elite Hurdle) that he also took in 2023 and 2024; held in a 9l third at Kempton on Boxing Day but that was behind Sir Gino in a Grade 1 and he's strongly respected on this drop back in class; most of his wins have been on good ground but he's effective on soft.

7/4

6/5

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Capable of some smart Flat form, holding his own at Group level (best at 1m/1m2f); jumped well in the main but was readily outpointed by a nice prospect (who made all) on his hurdling debut at Ludlow (good to soft); sure to win races in this discipline.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

14:10 Newbury

Brentford Hope

11st 12lb

J: Megan Fox

T: Harry Derham

Won by a neck at Haydock (2m, good to soft) last month under Megan Fox and is 4lb higher today; performed as well as could be expected in the face of a stiff task when third of four in Grade 2 at Cheltenham a week later and has each-way claims on this return to handicap company.

3/1

3rd

4

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

15:00 Cheltenham

Brentford Hope

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Took advantage of a handy mark in Haydock handicap last Saturday, bringing record over hurdles to 6-20; has the worst chance at the weights back up in class and seems unlikely to match his second-place finish, which was a realistic outcome at the time, in this race last year.

66/1

100/1

  • Place: £8.60

Form: 0/8

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won twice at about 1m on the Flat but has yet to feature over hurdles and handicaps will be more his thing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(4)

5th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:55 Windsor

The Rain King

9st 9lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: Michael Wigham

Defied a higher mark here (1m) three years ago; has produced two poor results on AW for new yard since returning from long absence but could revive back at Windsor.

14/1

7th

1

(4)

5th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:55 Windsor

The Rain King

9st 9lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: Michael Wigham

Defied a higher mark here (1m) three years ago; has produced two poor results on AW for new yard since returning from long absence but could revive back at Windsor.

14/1

11th

2

(7)

27th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Chelmsford (AW)

The Rain King

9st 9lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Wigham

took keen hold, prominent, lost ground after 1f, soon dropped to midfield

40/1

Form: 6

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish Flat record of 1-13 for Johnny Murtagh and stayed 1m3f; bought for 40,000gns to go hurdling and, after a year on the sidelines, he ran well to a point at Market Rasen before weakening; needs to leave that form a long way behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

15:40 Stratford

Sassified

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Four-time hurdle winner and his last success was at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) in June; disappointing in final run for the Hobbs/White yard but he still looks feasibly treated on his best form and needs a close look on first run for James Owen; new headgear.

6/4

Form: 30

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed some talent when making the frame in a point bumper and Bangor bumper, but he didn't show a lot on his hurdling/stable debut when an 80-1 chance; tongue-tie is now joined by a hood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

12:47 Stratford

Sailed Away

11st 4lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Sole success came in a Huntingdon handicap in March 2024 when trained by Stuart Edmunds; pulled up on chase/stable debut in May and tailed off when last of eight back over hurdles over C&D (good to firm) in July; drop in grade will help but he has questions to answer.

12/1

3

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

12:47 Stratford

Sailed Away

11st 4lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Sole success came in a Huntingdon handicap in March 2024 when trained by Stuart Edmunds; pulled up on chase/stable debut in May and tailed off when last of eight back over hurdles over C&D (good to firm) in July; drop in grade will help but he has questions to answer.

12/1

8th

5

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

19:18 Stratford

Sailed Away

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Rob Summers

Consistent in handicap hurdles for Stuart Edmunds but was pulled up on stable/chase debut last month; reverts to hurdles on a competitive mark with the step back up in trip a positive; handles most ground.

12/1

OUR TIP

100/1

Form:

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Three times runner-up on the Flat for Richard Hannon; 40-1 and dropped right out on his hurdling debut at Chepstow; no appeal on the back of that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(10)

20th May 2023

Good To Soft

1m 3f 197y

Class 5

17:50 Doncaster

Clay

9st 12lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Neil King

took keen hold, disputed lead, raced in second after 1f, shaken up when led under 3f out, ridden when headed 2f out, weakened from over 1f out

14/1

2nd

2

(4)

9th May 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

15:25 Lingfield (AW)

Clay

9st 9lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Neil King

Maiden on Flat for Richard Hannon and over hurdles (modest form) for current yard; runner-up twice over C&D in early 2021 but has seemingly regressed overall; others preferred.

12/1

5th

9

27th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

18:25 Taunton

Clay

10st 7lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Creditable third of 17 in a Doncaster handicap (2m, good) in January but he's not hit the same level in his two runs since and is now 0-14; others are more persuasive.

14/1

Form: 8-86

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten in the region of 20l in his last two runs (bumper/maiden) and handicaps will be an option after this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

7th Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Let It Shine

10st 9lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Well beaten in both outings (hurdle/chase) for new yard this term, taking record to 0-13; has only one piece of placed form; treated as far from solid, unless the betting suggests better is expected.

16/1

8th

8

19th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:05 Worcester

Let It Shine

10st 9lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Unable to justify strong market support when well beaten on stable debut three weeks ago and now 0-10 over hurdles; drops back in trip and sports first-time cheekpieces for this chasing debut; may yet come good.

9/1

6th

6

30th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Warwick

Let It Shine

10st 9lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Placed just once (2m, good) in 11 starts at up to 3m when with Michael Scudamore; returns from a break for new trainer, needing to improve on his last few efforts to have a winning chance.

7/2

Form: 90-

Last run: 369 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Raced more prominently in his second bumper but again he finished down the field; no appeal for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

31st May 2023

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

15:00 Newton Abbot

Russies Dream

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Has been beaten 38l or more in his four hurdle runs, including off a basement mark in a Warwick handicap (2m, good) last week; can only be watched back in a maiden at this new trip.

25/1

6th

7

24th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:45 Warwick

Russies Dream

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Showed no significant promise in three qualifying runs during the winter (2m-2m2f) but makes handicap debut from a lowly mark and has more realistic chance to get competitive this time; 2lb wrong; tongue-tie added.

25/1

Form: 060P

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
No worthwhile form in a point, two bumpers and two maiden hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

12th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:15 Southwell

Shees A Stella

10st 12lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Christian Williams

Struggled in three maiden/novice hurdles for Debra Hamer in the autumn (2m-2m3f) but makes debut for Christian Williams on a lowly handicap mark and is well worth keeping an eye on in the betting.

16/1

9th

14

8th Dec 2022

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:35 Taunton

Shees A Stella

10st 7lb

J: Alexander Thorne

T: Debra Hamer

No worthwhile form in a point, two bumpers and two maiden hurdles.

100/1

16

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:10 Chepstow

Shees A Stella

10st 10lb

J: Alexander Thorne

T: Debra Hamer

Well beaten at huge odds on recent hurdling debut here (2m, good to soft); moves up in trip today.

200/1

Form: U-8

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-4 in Irish points; unseated early on his rules debut and then finished tailed off here when triple-digit odds; couldn't make a case.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

30th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

14:20 Fakenham

Instant Gambler

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Alexandra Dunn

held up in rear, headway on outer before 2 out, went second on turn before last, soon hung left, no extra and lost second towards finish

10/11

Form: 9

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
33-1, always towards rear and finished ninth in a Bangor bumper (good to soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:27 Ludlow

Little Pi

11st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Sam Allwood

Tended to hang when failing favourite backers off this mark here (2m5f) last month but that was another solid enough run; should be heavily involved.

5/1

3rd

3

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:52 Ludlow

Little Pi

11st 6lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Sam Allwood

Resurgent 8yo who kept on well to score at Huntingdon (2m3f, soft) three weeks ago; recent 3lb rise does not look excessive and he could plausibly have untapped potential over this longer trip; major player.

11/4

1st

6

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

12:50 Huntingdon

Little Pi

11st 2lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Sam Allwood

Has proved resurgent with a pair of second-place finishes and the latest effort, over C&D, is a solid piece of form; back up 5lb but has won off this mark; respected.

6/4

Form: 8488-3

Last run: 129 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten in seven French bumpers, though at least made the frame in the latest; probably one for another day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

17th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

14:10 Southwell

Invincible De Mee

10st 5lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Tim Vaughan

Runner-up at Exeter (2m5f, good) last March on second handicap start but beaten 15l; pulled up on both runs since and others preferred.

33/1

Form: 1-4486 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Good enough to win a Perth bumper for Gordon Elliott earlier this year but he didn't last long in Ireland and he's looking regressive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

16th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:35 Wincanton

Gun Runner Cash

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Ben Lund

taken down early, took keen hold, held up in last

33/1

6th

6

5th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

16:25 Wincanton

Gun Runner Cash

11st 6lb

J: James Best

T: Ben Lund

Generally very disappointing since winning Perth bumper for Gordon Elliott last spring, and his tendency to race far too freely remains a concern; never looked dangerous with sixth in C&D maiden nine days ago; others preferred.

14/1

6th

4

27th Mar 2023

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

13:30 Wincanton

Gun Runner Cash

11st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Ben Lund

Keen-goer who won a Perth bumper for Gordon Elliott last April; inferior form for current yard and was 150-1 when unseating at the first flight last time.

66/1

Form: 5-0

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to good staying chaser Remastered; well beaten in a bumper for David Pipe and offered no more on her hurdling/stable debut at Exeter; yard second string on jockey bookings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

8th Dec 2022

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:35 Taunton

Nous Esperons

10st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs

Half-sister to good staying chaser Remastered; well beaten in a bumper for David Pipe and offered no more on her hurdling/stable debut at Exeter; yard second string on jockey bookings.

100/1

12th

14

14th Nov 2022

Good

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

15:30 Exeter

Nous Esperons

10st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs

Half-sister to David Pipe's good staying chaser Remastered and she was with that yard when a 15l fifth of seven runners in a Wincanton bumper (good to soft); didn't run badly and she should improve.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £1.90
Straight Forecast £1.85
Trifecta £21.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Brentford Hope

POSTDATA:

Rubaud

WEST COUNTRY:

Rubaud

The Guardian:

Rubaud

Daily Mirror:

Rubaud

The Sun:

Rubaud

Daily Record:

Rubaud

RP Ratings:

Brentford Hope

TOPSPEED:

Brentford Hope

LAMBOURN:

Brentford Hope

The Times:

Brentford Hope

Telegraph:

Brentford Hope

Daily Mail:

Brentford Hope

D Express:

Brentford Hope

The Star:

Brentford Hope