February 21 / 16.00 Taunton

16.00

Good

Royal Bath & West Of England Society Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4792.48
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
RTV
View Course
Royal Bath & West Of England Society Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

4/5 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 34

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Encouraging third on hurdle/stable debut at Plumpton (2m, soft) in December and similar form when fourth of 18 at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft); his form reads very well in the context of this weak race; strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

8th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 3

15:00 Taunton

Killaloan

11st 9lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Paul Nicholls

Triple hurdle winner last season (twice here); ran very poorly on the Flat in October, after a break, but was very respectable third when back over hurdles at Wincanton (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in November; seemingly overlooked by Harry Cobden today but still enters calculations.

10/1

3rd

4

23rd Nov 2023

Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 3

14:40 Wincanton

Killaloan

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

in touch with leaders, headway and prominent 5th

4/1

11th

1

(4)

18th Oct 2023

Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

17:45 Bath

Killaloan

10st 3lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Paul Nicholls

5yo who made it 3-5 over hurdles when completing a hat-trick in Ludlow handicap (2m, soft) in March; pulled up in final run in the spring but he's on a dangerous mark on this return to the Flat and is still unexposed in this sphere; interesting contender for yard that won this in 2018 and 2020.

7/2

50/1

  • Place: £5.70

Form: 90

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won an Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) on debut last March but tailed off late last year on first two hurdle runs; dramatic improvement needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

13th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

17:05 Taunton

Loop Head

11st 13lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

midfield

4/1

2nd

9

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

16:00 Taunton

Loop Head

11st 7lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

midfield, prominent 4 out, ridden and went second 2 out, kept on but no match for winner

50/1

11th

11

22nd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

13:10 Ffos Las

Loop Head

11st 5lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Joined Evan Williams after winning Irish point debut in March; tailed off after racing far too freely on last month's stable/hurdle debut at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) but combination of drop back in trip and first-time hood may enable improvement.

12/1

OUR TIP

4/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 5P3

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed some ability in his sole bumper (2m, good) and he was a fair third over C&D (soft) last month on his second hurdle start; others have better form but he has each-way possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

15th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

19:10 Fontwell

Danton

11st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Harry Fry

Out of sorts when pulled up on last two appearances (chase/hurdle); does return from a break on a fair mark so difficult to dismiss.

10/1

7th

5

15th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

19:10 Fontwell

Danton

11st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Harry Fry

Out of sorts when pulled up on last two appearances (chase/hurdle); does return from a break on a fair mark so difficult to dismiss.

10/1

Form: 78

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Took a step forward when mid-division over 2m3f here on second hurdle start; needs something extra today but he could have more to offer in this code in view of his Flat ability; he's no forlorn hope each-way.
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: P6

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won four-runner British point (3m, good) last April; hasn't threatened on either hurdle start but perhaps the drop back in trip and return to better ground will help; each-way contender if finding some improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

Looking For Larry

12st 0lb

J: Mr Jake Bament

T: Tim Dennis

Rewarded heavy market support when winning by 6l here (2m5f, soft) at start of 2025 but not much has gone to plan since and his two runs this year were no better than respectable; needs to up his game.

16/1

6th

4

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 5f 82y

Class 5

13:05 Wincanton

Looking For Larry

11st 11lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Tim Dennis

Well-backed winner at Exeter (2m5f, soft) last January, on his second run after a long absence; looked a bit of a handful in next two runs but he returned after another layoff with an encouraging effort at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) last month; continues to edge down the weights and has possibilities if he can build on that last run.

12/1

7th

6

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 4

15:35 Taunton

Looking For Larry

11st 10lb

J: Mr Jake Bament

T: Tim Dennis

Landed a gamble when winning by 6l at Exeter (2m5f, soft) on New Year's Day, his second run after a long absence, but misbehaved and looked unenthusiastic on recent chasing debut; quickly switches back to hurdling here; has a point to prove.

8/1

Form: 377

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
He showed some ability in points and bumpers and didn't run badly when fading into mid-division on recent hurdle debut here (2m3f); this looks a weaker race and the drop back in trip could help; each-way contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

15

24th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

Hes My Shadow

10st 13lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Free-goer who ran big race from the front when fourth in C&D (soft) novice last March; safely held in both subsequent handicaps and has fitness to prove after 235-day absence but still worth a second look.

20/1

4th

2

3rd Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

20:55 Stratford

Hes My Shadow

11st 6lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Free-going front-runner perhaps not seen to best effect over Chepstow's 2m3f the last twice (soft/good to soft), the latest his handicap debut; return to this trip looks a positive and interesting to see what effect the hood has.

6/1

10

9th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

17:48 Ffos Las

Hes My Shadow

11st 7lb

J: Mitchell Bastyan

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Enthusiastic front-runner who hasn't got home over 2m3f at Chepstow the last twice (soft/good to soft) including on handicap debut last time; return to this trip looks a positive and interesting to see what effect the hood has.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won over 10.5f on the Flat in Belgium; has joined a good yard for his hurdling career and he's worth a second look in this weak race, especially if the betting speaks positively.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

19th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

15:05 Exeter

Nadim

11st 1lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

towards rear

25/1

8

19th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

15:05 Exeter

Nadim

11st 1lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

towards rear

25/1

9th

7

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Nadim

11st 7lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

Three-time hurdle winner; fair third on chase debut but well behind next time and then unseated early at Plumpton.

20/1

50/1

Form: 3/5-00

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest on the Flat and well beaten on his first two hurdle starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

14th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Daany

10st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Joe Tickle

Turned his attention to chasing fairly late in life but made a solid start when second of six at Wincanton in April; didn't back that up when never travelling at Hereford (also 2m, good) nine days ago and has a question to answer after that.

16/1

4

5th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

20:17 Hereford

Daany

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joe Tickle

Four-time hurdle winner, all at around 2m; made a belated switch to fences last month and shaped with plenty of encouragement when runner-up at Wincanton (2m, good), which also represented a return to some form; needs to back that up but he remains well treated and is one to consider.

6/1

2nd

4

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 149y

Class 5

15:27 Wincanton

Daany

10st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Joe Tickle

Three-time Flat winner and successful four times over hurdles; however, hasn't been running all that well under either code following a year on the sidelines and this is a belated first attempt at chasing.

16/1

Form: P

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Two fair runs on good ground on the Flat last August before winning on AW in September; may have needed recent hurdle/stable debut at Leicester but was pulled up in that claimer and has to leave that run miles behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

16:00 Taunton

Red Bond

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Oliver Sherwood

towards rear

50/1

6

1st Feb 2023

Heavy

1m 7f 113y

Class 4

13:25 Leicester

Red Bond

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Oliver Sherwood

Yet to win on turf (0-15) but successful four times on the AW (1m-1m4f) for previous handler Keith Dalgleish; interesting to see how he fares on hurdles debut having joined Oliver Sherwood for 4,000gns.

5/1

3rd

1

(1)

3rd Oct 2022

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

16:46 Wolverhampton (AW)

Red Bond

10st 4lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Keith Dalgleish

raced in second, pressed leader and going easily over 4f out, ridden and led when edged left and hampered rival over 2f out, headed and outpaced over 1f out, lost second final stride

6/1

Form: P

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
66-1 and pulled up after the first flight on recent hurdle/stable debut, having lost his action; however, he showed some fair Flat form last year and is not ruled out each-way in this weak race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(10)

5th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

17:00 Thirsk

Eye Knee

9st 7lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

raced in third

10/1

4th

4

(5)

2nd Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 5f 192y

Class 5

18:55 Catterick

Eye Knee

8st 13lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

took keen hold, prominent, led after 4f, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon lost position, weakened quickly inside final furlong

10/1

5th

3

(7)

8th May 2023

Good To Firm

1m 5f 26y

Class 6

17:10 Ayr

Eye Knee

9st 9lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

Infrequent winner who was bought for 3,000gns in October; pulled hard and reportedly hung badly left-handed when tailed off on stable debut last month (1m4f, soft); best watched.

14/1

Form: P

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
He's in good hand and it's very early days, but he was pulled up at 20-1 on his debut in a novice hurdle at Hereford (2m, soft) in December; needs to be an entirely different proposition now in a tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

23rd May 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Huntingdon

Imperial Admiral

11st 4lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

With a good stable and is out of a sister to high-class jumper The Storyteller but didn't show any promise when pulled up on both hurdling starts last season and, following a wind op, unseating rider when veering right at first flight at Ludlow nine days ago; too risky.

33/1

8

14th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Imperial Admiral

11st 1lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

With a good stable and is out of a sister to high-class jumper The Storyteller but didn't show any promise when pulled up on both hurdling starts last season; needs subsequent wind op to have maed a huge difference.

40/1

5

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

16:00 Taunton

Imperial Admiral

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

midfield, not fluent 1st, ridden and dropped to rear 4 out, mistake and pulled up 3 out

16/1

Form: 3337P5

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Finished third on four hurdle starts last May-July (2m/2m1f, good) and wouldn't be far away if repeating that form, but he's been a long way below that level on his last three outings and is now 0-58 (both codes).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

22nd Aug 2023

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

15:30 Newton Abbot

Ollys Folly

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Mark Gillard

took keen hold, never better than midfield, mistake 1st

66/1

8th

6

23rd Jul 2023

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

Ollys Folly

10st 6lb

J: David Noonan

T: Mark Gillard

0-15 over hurdles and 0-61 overall; very well handicapped on some of last year's form but was safely held over C&D (good) last month and remains a difficult horse to enthuse over; raced mainly on good ground; once placed on the Flat on soft.

25/1

7th

6

14th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:40 Newton Abbot

Ollys Folly

10st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Mark Gillard

held up in last, pushed along after 3 out, ridden 2 out, no telling impression

33/1

Form:

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
In good hands but last of 15 when 40-1 for last month's debut in Ludlow bumper (2m, soft) and probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

16:00 Taunton

Abigael

11st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs

held up in rear, wandered on approach 4 out, pushed along when fell 3 out

16/1

1

1st Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

14:10 Exeter

Abigael

11st 6lb

J: Tom O’Brien

T: Philip Hobbs

With good stable but was last of 15 when 40-1 for last month's bumper debut at Ludlow (soft) and can only be watched here.

50/1

15th

1

6th Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

16:00 Ludlow

Abigael

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs

First foal; dam unraced half-sister to bumper/useful 2m4f-2m5f hurdle winner Pere Blanc and 3m hurdle winner Behindthelines; stable 6-55 with its bumper runners here.

25/1

Form: P

Last run: 219 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has a patchy profile on the Flat and was pulled up at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) last July on his sole hurdle start; however, he won on the Flat last month (1m3f, AW) and has an each-way shout if tapping into that ability.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

16:00 Taunton

Cowboy

10st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Neil Mulholland

took keen hold, prominent, led after 2nd, headed and prominent 4th

20/1

11th

12

(8)

25th Jan 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 6

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Cowboy

9st 4lb

J: George Wood

T: Neil Mulholland

Has shown his best form front-running and proved well suited by a return to those tactics in C&D contest two weeks ago, opening his account having set a slow pace; likely player provided he again gets his own way.

6/1

1st

11

(11)

11th Jan 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 6

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Cowboy

9st 3lb

J: George Wood

T: Neil Mulholland

Struggled on final two runs for Stuart Kittow and same story on his four starts for this yard; on a reduced mark but a major turnaround is needed.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.70
Straight Forecast £26.63
Trifecta £185.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Killaloan

Telegraph:

Loop Head

The Star:

Loop Head

RP Ratings:

Killaloan

POSTDATA:

Killaloan

WEST COUNTRY:

Killaloan

The Times:

Killaloan

The Guardian:

Killaloan

Daily Mail:

Killaloan

D Express:

Killaloan

Daily Mirror:

Killaloan

The Sun:

Killaloan

Daily Record:

Killaloan