December 21 / 12.53 Taunton

12.53

Good

Summerfield Developments Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4302.34
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 5
  • 14 runners
RTV
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Summerfield Developments Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £40.70
  • Place: £8.40

Form: 238

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Point winner who was placed in June on her first two hurdle starts (2m5f/2m, good); well beaten on last month's handicap debut at Wincanton (2m4f, good) and she's hard to fancy on the back of that, but she may have needed the run and is no forlorn hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

6th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

18:42 Fontwell

Gata Ban

10st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

Hasn't kicked on from a second on chase debut but did some good late work behind Boys Of Wexford at Taunton the last time; that was over 2m7f and now goes further.

11/2

4th

6

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

17:20 Taunton

Gata Ban

10st 13lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Second on her chase debut at Fakenham (2m5f, good to soft) in October but has failed to back up that run since; no improvement following wind surgery last time and has been dropped another 5lb.

7/1

13/2

  • Place: £3.50

Form: -21341 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Listed bumper runner-up who made it 2-5 over hurdles when winning at Fontwell (2m3f, good) in October on her second handicap start; she's in a deeper race here but is just 1lb higher and could have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:35 Southwell

Leading Theatre

11st 13lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Fergal O’Brien

midfield

7/1

2nd

2

16th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

13:40 Hereford

Leading Theatre

11st 11lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Fergal O’Brien

2-6 over hurdles (both wins on good); stays 2m3f; arrives on the back of a career best when second at Taunton (2m3f, good) last month; up 1lb; likely player if handling soft ground.

4/1

2nd

1

21st Dec 2022

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

12:53 Taunton

Leading Theatre

12st 0lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Fergal O’Brien

Listed bumper runner-up who made it 2-5 over hurdles when winning at Fontwell (2m3f, good) in October on her second handicap start; she's in a deeper race here but is just 1lb higher and could have more to offer.

13/2

8/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 436B4- BF

Last run: 244 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Third in an Ascot bumper (1m7f, soft) in February 2021 and runner-up on hurdle debut at Ffos Las (2m, good) that October; unable to reproduce that promise earlier this year, including in three handicaps, but she's had wind surgery since last time and that may make a positive difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

17th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:45 Ffos Las

Drash On Ruby

12st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

held up in rear, outpaced after 3 out, no chance from 2 out, rallied and some headway run-in, not pace to challenge

3/1

5th

1

17th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:45 Ffos Las

Drash On Ruby

12st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

held up in rear

3/1

9

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

16:50 Wincanton

Drash On Ruby

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

0-17 but she was a fair third on her first two starts this year (2m5f/2m3f, soft) then went close off this mark when upped to 3m at Taunton (heavy) last Thursday; also effective on good to soft; she could have more to offer over this sort of trip and is one to consider in first-time cheekpieces.

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: -3221P D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on handicap debut at Hereford four weeks ago when back from a break but the soft ground may not have suited; this lightly raced 5yo was progressive on good ground in May-July and it will be no surprise if she gets back on track with a big performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

9th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 3

16:50 Plumpton

Last Of A Legend

10st 13lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Harry Fry

Progressive on good ground last summer and she was back on good ground for latest two starts, winning by a short head under Ben Bromley over C&D on latest; raised 5lb and needs to further her improvement.

10/1

1st

1

27th Feb 2023

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

15:35 Plumpton

Last Of A Legend

12st 0lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Harry Fry

Progressive on good ground last summer and appreciated the return to similar conditions when fourth of 14 in a 2m3f handicap at Taunton in December; hard to call her well handicapped but Ben Bromley's claim will help in that respect.

7/2

4th

2

21st Dec 2022

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

12:53 Taunton

Last Of A Legend

11st 13lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Pulled up on handicap debut at Hereford four weeks ago when back from a break but the soft ground may not have suited; this lightly raced 5yo was progressive on good ground in May-July and it will be no surprise if she gets back on track with a big performance.

9/1

Form: 7323-3

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Showed some promise in novice hurdles and she reappeared with an encouraging third of seven on last month's handicap debut at Wincanton (2m4f, good); she may be able to build on that and is one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

20th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

12:40 Exeter

Lady Wilberry

10st 13lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Claire Hitch

Consistent over hurdles and fences for Keiran Burke; not on a bad mark if able to resume where she left off back in May when going close in a 3m2f chase.

7/2

Form: 34

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Placed in both 3m points and also showed ability last month on first two hurdle starts (2m, good/soft); there can be optimism this step up in trip will prompt improvement on handicap debut and she's on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:00 Ludlow

Imperial Pride

10st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: David Dennis

Veteran who has turned things around over fences recently, with a win at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft) followed by a second on similar ground at Plumpton (3m1f); now returns to hurdling but she's lightly raced in this sphere and looks interesting off the same mark as last time.

11/2

2nd

6

16th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

16:15 Plumpton

Imperial Pride

10st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Dennis

Out of sorts initially this season but she wasn't without her supporters when back to form and winning at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft) two weeks ago, and the 5lb rise looks manageable in her follow-up bid; leading contender if in the same frame of mind.

4/1

1st

5

1st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

15:15 Huntingdon

Imperial Pride

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: David Dennis

Triple point winner but she's 0-12 under rules and hasn't been running well this winter; hard to recommend unless transformed by the cheekpieces.

16/1

Form: 1-574

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
She's not obviously well treated for this handicap debut judged on her three hurdle runs, having been soundly beaten each time; however, she's in top hands and could be thrown in off this lowly mark if tapping back into the promise shown when winning her sole bumper in April (2m, good).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

15:08 Newton Abbot

Dancingontheedge

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Took this prize in 2024 but was having only her second run over fences when beating just one in 3m2f handicap here in May; now returns to hurdling after a short break and has claims if she can bounce back.

7/2

5

14th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

15:22 Newton Abbot

Dancingontheedge

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Bumper winner who was off the mark over hurdles here last July; there wasn't much wrong with her chase debut here (2m5f, soft) in September and she should go on from that following a good comeback against an in-form rival in a Chepstow hurdle (2m7f, good) last month.

5/2

Form: U82P

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Took a step forward when second in a Huntingdon novice (2m, good) last month on her third hurdle start, and she reportedly lost her action when pulled up on subsequent handicap debut here; has potential off her current mark in view of her useful Flat ability; a tongue-tie goes on; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(8)

2nd Feb 2023

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 3

15:25 Southwell (AW)

Colony Queen

9st 9lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Pipe

Hasn't really shone over hurdles for current yard but she's a ten-time Flat winner who won all three of her runs for John Mackie in 2021 (1m2f/1m3f); acts on Tapeta and she should be well handicapped.

14/1

6th

2

30th Dec 2022

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 1

14:15 Taunton

Colony Queen

11st 4lb

J: Tom Scudamore

T: David Pipe

Ten Flat wins but yet to strike over hurdles; well beaten in a handicap here nine days ago; blinkers added to the tongue-strap worn then.

50/1

8th

6

21st Dec 2022

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

12:53 Taunton

Colony Queen

11st 7lb

J: Tom Scudamore

T: David Pipe

Took a step forward when second in a Huntingdon novice (2m, good) last month on her third hurdle start, and she reportedly lost her action when pulled up on subsequent handicap debut here; has potential off her current mark in view of her useful Flat ability; a tongue-tie goes on; could go well.

6/1

Form: 46-32

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 12lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Kept on for third on hurdle debut at Plumpton (2m, good) in October and another promising run when second at Lingfield (2m3f, soft) last month; this unexposed handicap newcomer is open to further improvement; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

18th May 2023

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

17:25 Fontwell

Mistral Lady

11st 11lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

prominent, pressed leader 6th, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching last

10/1

3rd

7

21st Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

14:15 Fontwell

Mistral Lady

11st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Placed in two mares' maiden hurdles in the autumn (2m/2m3f) but she's finished down the field in three handicaps (2m3f-2m5f) since; still has low mileage but she needs to significantly raise her game.

16/1

7th

7

4th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

16:00 Fontwell

Mistral Lady

11st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Placed in two mares' maiden hurdles in the autumn (2m/2m3f) but safely held in her first two handicaps (2m3f/2m4f); still has low mileage but clearly needs to up her game here.

12/1

Form: 7/3P-0

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
7yo whose career has contained a few interruptions; promising third on hurdle debut at Uttoxeter in May 2021 but she's been pulled up/tailed off on her two starts since; has something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

26th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:53 Worcester

Methodtothemagic

11st 11lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

Placed off 4lb higher on chasing debut at Leicester (2m6f, good) in early 2023 and won over hurdles in good style last summer; good claims on that evidence but was well beaten on last two hurdling starts, having bled from the nose both times, and comes with risk.

16/1

10th

3

18th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

20:33 Uttoxeter

Methodtothemagic

11st 10lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

Off the mark (12th attempt) with an emphatic win at Southwell (2m4f, good) last summer but she bled from the nose when tailed off at Worcester in September; has had a break since but she doesn't have a great record fresh.

16/1

Form: 433

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner who has been a fair third in novice hurdles here (2m3f/2m, good) the last twice; improvement is possible but necessary on this handicap debut, and it's possible a longer trip will suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Ayr

Ooh Betty

10st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Ben Clarke

Made all in Grade 2 mares' hurdle at Ascot (1m7f, soft) in January and ran well for a long way when ninth of 23 in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m1f, soft) last month; she's 1lb lower than when a very close third in this last year (good to soft) and could again be involved.

11/1

9th

24

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Ooh Betty

10st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Clarke

Can make the running; inconsistent but returned to form with mares' Grade 2 win at Ascot (1m7f, soft) in January; runs off same mark as when close third to Cracking Rhapsody in Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr (2m, good to soft) last April; not ruled out each-way at likely big odds.

50/1

Form: 7229-F

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Disappointing on handicap debut at Uttoxeter in March and she was an early faller on last month's reappearance at Southwell; however, she remains lightly raced and showed promise in novice hurdles early this year; not written off in first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

27th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

15:35 Leicester

My Girl Lollipop

11st 8lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Placed in a bumper and five hurdles at up to 3m2f, including on soft; entitled to need the run when pulled up on chase debut for new yard in January but might need this too, and regular cheekpieces still left off.

14/1

0

3

11th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

13:20 Catterick

My Girl Lollipop

11st 8lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

12-race maiden but ran well to be placed in handicap hurdles last spring on final three runs for Stuart Edmunds (3m-3m2f, soft-good) and she'll be in the mix if transferring that form to fences at the first attempt.

13/2

Form: 467

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Went close in an Irish 3m point in May and today's handicap debut provides her with a first realistic opportunity under rules; however, she has to improve upon what she's shown on her three hurdle starts (2m/2m2f).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

19th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

13:55 Fakenham

Caitlins Court

10st 6lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

jumped right on occasions, took keen hold, in touch with leaders, mistake 1st, headway and went second after 9th, disputed lead 11th, led clearly when hit 4 out, headed last, soon no extra

11/1

2nd

5

19th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

13:55 Fakenham

Caitlins Court

10st 6lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

jumped right on occasions, took keen hold, in touch with leaders, mistake 1st, headway and went second after 9th, disputed lead 11th, led clearly when hit 4 out, headed last, soon no extra

11/1

Form: 384-6F

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Third in both bumpers (including here); remains unexposed but she was a mid-race faller on last month's handicap debut and, based on hurdle form, others have far more substance to their claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

12th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

13:20 Huntingdon

Sallyann

10st 3lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Nick Gifford

Failed to complete in most runs last term; managed to get round at Wincanton (2m4f) on reappearance but needs to improve on that bare form.

25/1

5th

8

19th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

15:50 Wincanton

Sallyann

11st 1lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Nick Gifford

took keen hold, led, headed before 2 out, weakened approaching last

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £350.60
Straight Forecast £257.77
Tricast £1499.45
Trifecta £1779.50

Selections

POSTDATA:

Mistral Lady

SPOTLIGHT:

Imperial Pride

Telegraph:

Ooh Betty

Daily Mail:

Dancingontheedge

The Sun:

Last Of A Legend

WEST COUNTRY:

Lady Wilberry

RP Ratings:

Drash On Ruby

D Express:

Colony Queen

The Times:

Imperial Pride

The Guardian:

Imperial Pride

Daily Mirror:

Mistral Lady

The Star:

Mistral Lady

Daily Record:

Mistral Lady