January 09 / 13.55 Taunton

13.55

Soft

Invest Southwest Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4792.48
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Invest Southwest Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

1/2 (Won)

  • Win: £1.40
  • Place: £1.10

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed useful form in Flat maidens in autumn for Andy Oliver, finishing second at the Curragh then going one better at Leopardstown (1m2f, yielding to soft; RPR 97); subsequently sold for 215,000gns; still highly unexposed and looks a very interesting recruit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

11th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Rare Middleton

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Won by 5l in first-time tongue-tie (retained since) at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) in December and bounced back from Plumpton defeat when beaten just a neck in big field at Cheltenham last month (2m1f, good; behind Tintintin); travelled well and was caught close home last time, and there will be less emphasis on stamina here which could be right up his street.

7/1

6th

12

11th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Rare Middleton

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Won by 5l in first-time tongue-tie (retained since) at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) in December and bounced back from Plumpton defeat when beaten just a neck in big field at Cheltenham last month (2m1f, good; behind Tintintin); travelled well and was caught close home last time, and there will be less emphasis on stamina here which could be right up his street.

7/1

2nd

12

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

17:00 Cheltenham

Rare Middleton

11st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

pressed leader

10/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 1-37 D BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Winner of Doncaster bumper (good to soft) then third in Uttoxeter novice hurdle (2m, good; winner has boosted the form since); disappointing favourite at latter track since but may still have progress in him; remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:55 Huntingdon

Parc DAmour

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Course winner over hurdles; returned from long absence with low-key hurdle run last month but is now 1lb lower than when scoring on chase debut in May 2024; contender if that recent outing brought him on.

6/1

33/1

  • Place: £4.80

Form: 42-P7

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has not transferred his bumper form to hurdles in two attempts, beaten long way at Lingfield (2m3f, soft) latest; may be more interesting in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

31st Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

The Scorpion King

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Only four completed when a 16l third at Exeter (3m, good to soft) and that was another effort well below the form he showed in 2024; reduced mark is for good reason but this isn't a strong race, so hard to leave him out of calculations.

11/1

3rd

1

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:43 Exeter

The Scorpion King

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

Well handicapped on his wins in staying chases two seasons ago but this campaign needs to turn a corner and he'd prefer softer ground.

12/1

1

28th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:17 Chepstow

The Scorpion King

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

raced wide, towards rear, dropped to last before 11th

9/4

Form: 3199 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner at Worcester (good) on second start; had a physical excuse on debut over hurdles but was again well beaten last time; should do better yet, judged on breeding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Worcester

Uncle Arthur

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Struggled on all three starts for Sarah-Jayne Davies last season (chase/hurdle) and is 10lb out of the weights for first run since October.

50/1

10

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Worcester

Uncle Arthur

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Struggled on all three starts for Sarah-Jayne Davies last season (chase/hurdle) and is 10lb out of the weights for first run since October.

50/1

12th

11

19th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:50 Stratford

Uncle Arthur

10st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Became disappointing for James Owen last season and has struggled on both starts for new stable (chase/hurdle); very difficult to enthuse over at present.

50/1

OUR TIP

Form: 74

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; outran his 125-1 odds at Ffos Las (2m, soft; finished fourth) last month on second attempt under rules; that's among the best hurdles form on offer but he may ideally need further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

16:12 Kelso

Moodofthemoment

11st 5lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: David Thompson

Won at Newcastle in October and not disgraced when sixth here last time; could go well but others in better form.

16/1

6th

3

6th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 4

16:32 Kelso

Moodofthemoment

11st 8lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: David Thompson

Won a five-runner handicap at Newcastle in October (2m4f, good) but had been pulled up on previous start and was pulled up on only start since (good to soft); this ground should suit better but he's not easy to work out.

7/1

4

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

15:38 Newcastle

Moodofthemoment

11st 3lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: David Thompson

Won three times over fences for Matt Sheppard; yet to score for present yard, but two fair runs when in the frame at Sedgefield in September (2m/2m3f, good); never travelling when pulled up on same track last time (3m5f); a possible.

6/1

Form: 4-8

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful Flat performer, particularly on AW; has not transferred that form to hurdles in two races at Newbury (2m, soft) 12 months apart but may do better in this field; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(5)

29th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield (AW)

Bascule

9st 10lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Richard Hughes

Completed a four-timer over 1m4f/1m6f on Polytrack at the end of 2021; 0-14 since, but he's finished a respectable fourth at Kempton (2m) in his last two runs and is now 1lb lower than for last win; shouldn't far away.

8/1

4th

1

(3)

13th Mar 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Bascule

10st 2lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Richard Hughes

Completed a four-timer over 1m4f/1m6f on Polytrack at the end of 2021; 0-13 since, but was back off his last winning mark when a close fourth of 12 over C&D in January (runner-up has won since); possibilities in the returning blinkers.

3/1

4th

2

(4)

6th Jan 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

19:45 Kempton (AW)

Bascule

10st 2lb

J: George Rooke

T: Richard Hughes

Winless since 2021 but his AW record is a solid one and he shaped nicely after a break when fourth of seven over an inadequate 1m4f at Wolverhampton four weeks ago; returns to a more suitable trip and high on the list.

7/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair performer (peak RPR 79) on Flat, not disgraced over 1m6f when last seen in September (second start for new stable); could go well on hurdles debut, provided he jumps soundly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(3)

19th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 133y

Class 5

14:10 Lingfield

Kings Castle

9st 6lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

Won at Ffos Las (1m2f, good to soft) and Sandown (1m2f, good) last summer, but he wasn't able to build on those victories in three subsequent starts; absent since October but has place claims on this reappearance.

7/1

Form: 559

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Raced only on good ground; finished fifth in both bumper starts and soundly beaten at Southwell (2m) switched to hurdles six weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Blazing Court

10st 11lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

2m4f Worcester chase winner off 11lb higher in August 2024, but over a year since showing much over either type of obstacle.

33/1

4

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 5

14:57 Carlisle

Blazing Court

11st 3lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

Won a chase for a different stable in summer 2024 but has looked out of sorts over fences and hurdles this season; revival needed.

25/1

15th

7

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 218y

Class 5

15:42 Carlisle

Blazing Court

11st 2lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

On a handy mark judged on 2024 chase win and he can also be effective over hurdles (albeit 0-11 in this sphere); however, he struggled over hurdles/fences on his last two starts in June and needs to get back on track.

33/1

Form: 0-P

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has no form claims having been tailed off in a bumper and pulled up in a novice hurdle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

12th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

15:15 Plumpton

Freddy Boy

11st 7lb

J: James Martin

T: David Bridgwater

held up in last, always behind

150/1

7th

2

27th Jan 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

13:23 Uttoxeter

Freddy Boy

11st 8lb

J: James Martin

T: David Bridgwater

Tailed off in his sole bumper in March 2022 and was pulled up in both hurdle runs (2m, soft) last season; hood is now added on his comeback after 383 days off.

66/1

Form: U

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-5 on Flat for the Johnston yard, showing only minor form; unseated rider early at Doncaster on the switch to hurdles; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(6)

18th Mar 2023

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Birdie Putt

9st 2lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Nigel Hawke

Limited promise for the Johnstons last year; two hurdle runs for new yard saw her unseat her rider at the first and the third; tailed off back on the Flat in January; no appeal.

66/1

8th

8

(5)

17th Jan 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

14:40 Kempton (AW)

Birdie Putt

9st 2lb

J: Connor Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Minor Flat form for the Johnstons in 2022 and has unseated early in two hurdles for this yard; needs plenty more on AW debut.

33/1

10

9th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:55 Taunton

Birdie Putt

10st 2lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Nigel Hawke

0-5 on Flat for the Johnston yard, showing only minor form; unseated rider early at Doncaster on the switch to hurdles; best watched.

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.00
Straight Forecast £6.04
Trifecta £71.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Rare Middleton

TOPSPEED:

Moodofthemoment

POSTDATA:

Rare Middleton

WEST COUNTRY:

Rare Middleton

The Times:

Rare Middleton

Telegraph:

Rare Middleton

The Guardian:

Rare Middleton

Daily Mail:

Rare Middleton

D Express:

Rare Middleton

Daily Mirror:

Rare Middleton

The Star:

Rare Middleton

Daily Record:

Rare Middleton

The Sun:

Moodofthemoment