December 21 / 15.53 Taunton

15.53

Good

More Christmas Racing On 30th December Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4302.34
  • 2m 7f 198y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
RTV
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More Christmas Racing On 30th December Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 6570-4

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on handicap debut here in January but registered easily his closest finish when next seen last month in a good-ground handicap at Doncaster (again 2m3f; 28-1) with first-time cheekpieces; found his feet at the finish in the latter, which looked promising for this longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

24th Sep 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 0y

17:20 Curragh

Turnaway

12st 3lb

J: Anna Cropper

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Modest winning hurdler for Dan Skelton in December; not sure what to expect on Flat.

20/1

3

5th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

15:50 Wincanton

Turnaway

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Came good over hurdles at sixth attempt, with clear win at Taunton (3m, good) in December; open to further progress on today's chasing debut but his last two runs were very disappointing and he needs to put those behind him.

6/1

5

24th Feb 2023

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Warwick

Turnaway

11st 7lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

midfield

11/2

5/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: -45122 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Cheekpieces back at Hereford on last three starts for a win over 2m5f and two seconds over 3m1f; that's a solid sequence and he was reliable in an extensive campaign last term; should not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:18 Worcester

Pottlerath

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Matt Sheppard

Regained the winning thread at Stratford (3m3f) last time; remains well treated on historical data, such as his success off this mark in this race two years ago; shortlisted.

11/4

7th

7

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:18 Worcester

Pottlerath

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Matt Sheppard

Regained the winning thread at Stratford (3m3f) last time; remains well treated on historical data, such as his success off this mark in this race two years ago; shortlisted.

11/4

1st

4

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

14:18 Stratford

Pottlerath

11st 8lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

prominent

11/2

33/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 4-9P25

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Maiden on the Flat and over hurdles but placed for the first time when runner-up over 2m5f at Fontwell (good) in October; not so hot on soft ground at Ludlow one month later; 7lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

28th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:05 Uttoxeter

Telefina

10st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Adam West

disputed lead

20/1

8

20th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:05 Southwell

Telefina

10st 3lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Adam West

0-11 over hurdles; peak effort came when staying on for third at Taunton (3m, good) last December but has gone backwards in two starts since.

14/1

9

8th Mar 2023

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

14:40 Fontwell

Telefina

10st 3lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Adam West

0-19 and it's hard to make her the percentage call but she was placed on good ground here (2m5f) and at Taunton (3m) in two of her five starts this autumn/winter; right out of form on last two outings.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4-1111

Last run: 47 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Progressive front-runner who won handicaps at about 2m5f on good ground on her last four starts; up another 6lb but she kept on very well when beating 14 rivals at Exeter last time and could find more improvement on this step up to 3m; strongly respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

29th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:50 Newton Abbot

The Height Of Fame

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Keiran Burke

Gained two of her six wins over C&D (all were on good ground); returned from break with two good efforts in Class 2 events this summer, the latter on slower-than-ideal ground over C&D last month, and looks the one to beat in this easier race.

Evs

10

30th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 2

16:30 Newton Abbot

The Height Of Fame

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Keiran Burke

Gained two of her six wins over C&D (all were on good ground); returned from break with good third (just behind My Chiquita) at Worcester (2m4f, good) last month and is still on a workable mark (even from 1lb out of the weights) but the forecast rain is a worry.

5/1

7

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Worcester

The Height Of Fame

10st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Keiran Burke

Not without hope back on good ground as they were strong handicaps on too soft a surface when below par the last twice.

12/1

Form: -5P6P0

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Ultimately disappointing for Willie Mullins and has done little with cheekpieces in recent outings, the latest a C&D handicap 13 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

11th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

17:38 Huntingdon

Wearapinkribbon

10st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Max Comley

In a first-time visor and making stable debut when edging home over C&D in March (good to soft) but then finished tailed off at Exeter (good to firm); hard to be confident about how he'll run here with cheekpieces back on but the ability is there.

11/2

5th

6

11th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

17:38 Huntingdon

Wearapinkribbon

10st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Max Comley

In a first-time visor and making stable debut when edging home over C&D in March (good to soft) but then finished tailed off at Exeter (good to firm); hard to be confident about how he'll run here with cheekpieces back on but the ability is there.

11/2

5th

7

23rd Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

15:02 Exeter

Wearapinkribbon

10st 10lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

9yo who snapped a long losing sequence on this month's stable debut at Huntingdon (3m2f, good to soft) when wearing a first-time visor (retained) on his first outing since wind surgery; 4lb higher today but could have more to offer for this yard; should be major player.

100/30

Form: 713-42

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Upped in trip and rallied very well when close second of ten at Kempton (3m, good) last time; back up 2lb but could still be open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:42 Kempton

Island Run

11st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Both wins at Wincanton, the latest in a 3m handicap in 2023, but he's dropped to a handy mark and the latest run at Newbury (3m, good to soft), his third since returning from an absence, suggested he could be interesting with this lesser stamina test; can figure.

8/1

6th

14

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Island Run

10st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Gained his only wins at Wincanton in 2022 and 2023; not disgraced when runner-up in Class 5 at Lingfield (2m7f) most recently but looks unlikely to go one better in this stronger contest.

16/1

Form: -47556

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Won a 2m1f chase on testing ground in France in 2021; beaten too far in his eight British starts (five over hurdles, the three over fences) to be recommended at the moment but he is way down the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

28th Dec 2022

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

13:20 Leicester

Master Blaze

11st 0lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: David Pipe

Chase winner on very soft in France but out of luck for this yard in Britain despite the major drop in his handicap mark; down in class but his latest defeat came in a modest grade.

12/1

7th

7

21st Dec 2022

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:53 Taunton

Master Blaze

10st 7lb

J: Tom Scudamore

T: David Pipe

Won a 2m1f chase on testing ground in France in 2021; beaten too far in his eight British starts (five over hurdles, the three over fences) to be recommended at the moment but he is way down the weights.

20/1

6th

6

6th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 4

13:05 Fontwell

Master Blaze

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: David Pipe

Won slow-ground chase in France last autumn (2m1f) but yet to be placed after seven British starts; not written off just yet but is 5lb out of the weights here and needs to turn a corner.

16/1

Form: 4349

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Second in an Irish maiden point; not as promising as the form figures may suggest once sent under rules (small fields) and he was tailed off when 33-1 for handicap debut over C&D 13 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

20th Jul 2023

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:55 Worcester

Dannystory

10st 3lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Harriet Brown

Maiden; pulled up over fences the last twice; little appeal back hurdling with a tongue-strap added.

66/1

11

5th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:23 Worcester

Dannystory

10st 2lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Harriet Brown

Maiden; tailed off on chasing debut and was pulled up next time; back from three months off.

50/1

10

11th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:45 Exeter

Dannystory

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Brown

held up in rear, mistake 11th

66/1

Form: 4/51-6

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
First four starts in March-May 2021, narrow winner of a Market Rasen maiden (2m4f, good); absent 17 months and had wind surgery in September before well beaten in cheekpieces fitted on handicap debut at Newton Abbot (2m5f; 18-1) in October, suffering an over-reach; could step up from that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th Feb 2023

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:00 Warwick

Design Icon

11st 8lb

J: Kai Lenihan

T: Kim Bailey

raced lazily, midfield

3/1

2nd

2

8th Feb 2023

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 5

16:40 Southwell

Design Icon

11st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

disputed lead, pushed along before 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on run-in

16/1

13th

3

10th Jan 2023

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 5

12:15 Doncaster

Design Icon

12st 1lb

J: Kai Lenihan

T: Kim Bailey

Won Market Rasen maiden hurdle in May 2021 (2m4f, good; first-time tongue-tie); below par since with cheekpieces and a tongue-tie on both runs following a long break (had wind surgery); needs to bounce back.

25/1

Form: 96/41- D

Last run: 566 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
30 starts under rules, registering a second win when asserting by 11l in a seven-runner novice handicap chase at Uttoxeter (3m, good) in June 2021; chase mark is now 4lb higher than this but he's not been seen since that win; usual cheekpieces are absent.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

5th Jul 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

Enforcement

10st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

Hasn't won since 2021 (3m, good) and has failed to build on a respectable third in a Market Rasen handicap chase in December (carried out once); has plenty to prove from out of the weights.

33/1

9th

12

30th May 2024

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

18:10 Warwick

Enforcement

10st 2lb

J: Miss Louise Chance

T: Martin Keighley

Fair third in a Market Rasen handicap chase in December; has not fared as well since (latest run on Flat on the AW); has stiff task from 17lb out of the handicap.

50/1

8th

10

(1)

1st May 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

13:50 Wolverhampton (AW)

Enforcement

10st 2lb

J: Miss Louise Chance

T: Martin Keighley

in touch with leaders

20/1

20/1

Form: 2-34P3

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Has the odd bit of placed form, including 13 days ago over C&D when first-time blinkers replaced cheekpieces; however, he's a longstanding maiden and 6lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

20th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

12:40 Exeter

Menapian

10st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Helen Nelmes

Has placed form but he's a longstanding maiden and is competing from 14lb out of the weights.

66/1

11th

11

21st Dec 2022

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:53 Taunton

Menapian

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Helen Nelmes

Has the odd bit of placed form, including 13 days ago over C&D when first-time blinkers replaced cheekpieces; however, he's a longstanding maiden and 6lb out of the handicap.

20/1

3rd

13

8th Dec 2022

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:40 Taunton

Menapian

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Helen Nelmes

The odd bit of placed form but he's a longstanding maiden who comes here in no real form; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

33/1

Form: 3-1322 BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Came good over hurdles at eighth attempt on seasonal debut at Stratford (2m2f, good); solid placed efforts off today's mark in his three starts since (2m2f/2m4f; under Kai Lenihan on second occasion); in-form candidate who moves up in trip and there is some stamina in the family.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(1)

19th Oct 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

16:27 Wolverhampton (AW)

Samatian

10st 0lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Kim Bailey

Winning hurdler but at a lowly level and he's been well beaten on all five Flat starts, including 13l fourth to Simiyann over 1m6f here 12 days ago.

10/1

4th

1

(1)

7th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Samatian

10st 2lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Kim Bailey

Winning hurdler but at a lowly level and he's been well beaten on all four Flat starts, most recently on handicap debut at Chester.

14/1

9th

8

(1)

21st Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 87y

Class 5

16:45 Chester

Samatian

9st 8lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Kim Bailey

Ordinary hurdler/chaser who has struggled in 1m4f novice events at Southwell (200-1) in his last three runs; now goes up in trip on his Flat handicap debut but he needs to show a lot more; cheekpieces reapplied.

33/1

Form: 80-533

Last run: 86 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

30th Nov 2023

Good

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

14:35 Taunton

Foillmore

10st 2lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

0-16 under rules and 0-20 overall; struggled from early stage on chasing debut in May and well beaten on both subsequent hurdling starts; 1lb wrong here; difficult to enthuse over.

20/1

10th

16

8th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:50 Chepstow

Foillmore

10st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jimmy Frost

towards rear, outpaced and struggling before 3 out

33/1

9th

15

22nd Aug 2023

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Foillmore

10st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jimmy Frost

prominent

66/1

Non-runners

Foillmore

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.70
Straight Forecast £24.77
Tricast £231.11
Trifecta £312.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Height Of Fame

RP Ratings:

Samatian

The Times:

Island Run

The Star:

Pottlerath

POSTDATA:

Samatian

D Express:

Samatian

Daily Record:

Samatian

TOPSPEED:

The Height Of Fame

WEST COUNTRY:

The Height Of Fame

Telegraph:

The Height Of Fame

The Guardian:

The Height Of Fame

Daily Mail:

The Height Of Fame

Daily Mirror:

The Height Of Fame