March 02 / 14.15 Taunton

14.15

Good

Rowcliffes Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4792.48
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
Rowcliffes Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £1.84
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 3/P

Last run: 116 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Failed to settle and was pulled up at Sandown (2m, heavy) in November when making his stable debut after an absence; however, he's had wind surgery since and showed considerable promise at Auteuil (1m7f, very soft) in April 2021 on his sole French start; retains potential for top stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Matterhorn

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Chase record is 5-11, the most recent win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last spring; seen only twice since but ran well in a notable handicap at Plumpton (2m1f) the latest time; possibilities at the weights, provided he stays the new trip.

7/2

2nd

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 219y

Class 2

14:35 Plumpton

Matterhorn

11st 9lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Made it 5-9 over fences with convincing win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last May; pulled up on sole run since, at Ascot in December, but the good to soft ground may not have suited; second in this last year; could go well.

11/2

1

25th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:48 Uttoxeter

Matterhorn

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Chase career commenced with a four-timer last spring/summer; subsequently lost his form until running well, beating all bar a similarly useful stablemate, in major handicap at Plumpton (2m1f, good) last time; possibilities, provided he's as effective back up in trip.

4/1

7/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 71- C

Last run: 329 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to connections' smart staying hurdler Third Wind and he won here (2m, good) last April on his second bumper start; should be suited by the step up in trip on hurdle debut and he's a leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

11th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

13:40 Huntingdon

Final Encore

11st 4lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Hughie Morrison

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

3/1

8th

12

19th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Cheltenham

Final Encore

11st 2lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Hughie Morrison

held up in rear, ridden and no impression from 2 out

33/1

2nd

3

2nd Mar 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Taunton

Final Encore

11st 2lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Hughie Morrison

Half-brother to connections' smart staying hurdler Third Wind and he won here (2m, good) last April on his second bumper start; should be suited by the step up in trip on hurdle debut and he's a leading contender.

7/4

33/1

  • Place: £4.60

Form: 47

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in juvenile hurdles (2m, good to soft/soft) on his first two starts and others hold stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

9th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:25 Taunton

Archie Macdart

10st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Joe Ponting

led, jumped right 2nd, soon briefly headed, headed before 2 out, lost second 2 out, drifted left and no extra run-in

8/1

Form: 8

Last run: 57 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
It's very early days and her useful pedigree hints that this ground may suit better than the soft surface she encountered at Huntingdon (2m5f, soft; 11-1) in January; however, she has to leave that debut form miles behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

2nd Mar 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Taunton

Lillywave

10st 9lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs

It's very early days and her useful pedigree hints that this ground may suit better than the soft surface she encountered at Huntingdon (2m5f, soft; 11-1) in January; however, she has to leave that debut form miles behind.

14/1

8th

7

4th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Lillywave

11st 4lb

J: Tom O’Brien

T: Philip Hobbs

Half-sister to six winners, including smart hurdler Attaglance; of interest on pedigree but makes her debut as a 7yo; market a help.

9/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Failed to threaten on the Flat in Ireland on four runs (1m-1m4f) for Ger Lyons and he needs to improve for the switch of codes; stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Faded Fantasy

11st 2lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Ran creditably at Hereford (3m1f) last time, bouncing back from two poor efforts, but this looks a tougher assignment; still seeking first handicap success above Class 5.

20/1

9th

11

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:10 Chepstow

Faded Fantasy

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Christian Williams

Dual hurdle winner on good ground this summer (2m7f/3m2f); last month's chasing defeat is probably best overlooked (didn't jump well enough) but he has high mileage for his age and might be vulnerable in this grade.

20/1

Form: 089

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In top hands (one of two for yard) but he's finished down the field on all three starts (hurdles the last twice); transformation needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

31st May 2023

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:30 Newton Abbot

Imprevu Du Large

10st 2lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Paul Nicholls

Beaten upwards of 42l in his first three hurdle runs but he ran well for a long way on his recent handicap debut at Ludlow (3m, good; 17l third); should have more to offer now switched to fences for top yard and he's an interesting contender on this drop back in trip; tongue-tie added.

4/1

3rd

5

14th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

17:05 Ludlow

Imprevu Du Large

10st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Beaten upwards of 42l in three qualifying runs at up to 2m5f (good/good to soft) this year but it's very rare for his top trainer to get one in off such a low opening mark; dangerous to ignore.

9/4

14

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Imprevu Du Large

10st 2lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Paul Nicholls

Beaten upwards of 42l in three qualifying runs at up to 2m5f (good/good to soft) this year but it's very rare for his top trainer to get one in off such a low opening mark; one of three runners from the stable and it'll be very interesting to see how he goes in the betting.

9/1

Form: 48079

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
No impact in her three bumpers and well beaten at massive odds on her first two hurdle starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

13

11th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:25 Huntingdon

Elsieanne

10st 7lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

In rear on all three hurdles starts so far, beaten 42l plus, and not obviously bred to fare better upped to a stayer's trip; handicap bow.

20/1

7th

7

2nd Mar 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Taunton

Elsieanne

10st 9lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

No impact in her three bumpers and well beaten at massive odds on her first two hurdle starts.

100/1

9th

16

20th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

13:30 Lingfield

Elsieanne

10st 13lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Well held in three bumpers and was tailed off at a massive price on hurdling debut at Doncaster (2m3f, good) last month.

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: 96

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
One of two for in-form yard but he was well beaten in his two bumpers (2m, good/soft) and has to take a big step forward now hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

14th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

Bob Bank

10st 2lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Christian Williams

Eight-race maiden who was well beaten in three handicap chases in the autumn and is 3lb wrong here; difficult to enthuse over on that evidence but connections are persisting, and it's worth noting he attracted market support last time; wore cheekpieces two starts ago; blinkers tried here.

12/1

0

8

22nd Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

13:05 Ffos Las

Bob Bank

10st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

disputed lead, not fluent 2nd, soon prominent, mistake 9th

25/1

8th

16

7th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

16:15 Warwick

Bob Bank

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

in rear, mistake 5th

16/1

Form:

Last run: 89 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
50-1, well-beaten tenth of 13 on debut in bumper at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in December; hard to fancy on the back of that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

16:10 Taunton

Exmoor Lad

11st 9lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Struggled when 40-1 for handicap debut here (2m3f, good to soft) in January; that was his first run after a long layoff and he remains unexposed but he needs to be a completely different proposition over this new trip.

25/1

8

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:20 Taunton

Exmoor Lad

11st 8lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Showed only minor promise in his three qualifying runs in 2023 (1m7f-2m3f) and makes handicap debut after a long absence but remains very unexposed and is worth a glance in the betting.

12/1

8

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:20 Taunton

Exmoor Lad

11st 8lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

in rear

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
52,000euros 3yo; second foal; dam dual bumper winner (RPR 100) from talented family; represents a respected trainer and it will be interesting to see how he goes in the betting on debut, in a race lacking depth.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

14th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:50 Newton Abbot

Ventara

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Off since November but had been out for even longer before his near miss at Chepstow the month before (2m, soft); went off odds-on favourite to defy this mark on chase debut next time (2m2f, good to soft) and was going okay when clouting three out; much respected.

9/2

9th

4

14th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:50 Newton Abbot

Ventara

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Off since November but had been out for even longer before his near miss at Chepstow the month before (2m, soft); went off odds-on favourite to defy this mark on chase debut next time (2m2f, good to soft) and was going okay when clouting three out; much respected.

9/2

6th

5

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Ventara

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

disputed lead, pressed leader before 2nd

100/30

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £2.60
Straight Forecast £2.48
Trifecta £17.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Final Encore

WEST COUNTRY:

Matterhorn

POSTDATA:

Faded Fantasy

The Times:

Final Encore

Telegraph:

Final Encore

Daily Mail:

Final Encore

The Sun:

Final Encore

The Star:

Final Encore

Daily Record:

Final Encore

The Guardian:

Matterhorn

D Express:

Matterhorn

Daily Mirror:

Matterhorn