March 13 / 13.40 Taunton

13.40

Good To Soft

William Hill Cheltenham Epic Odds Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4647.28
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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William Hill Cheltenham Epic Odds Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £2.60
  • Place: £1.10

Form: O13 D

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won his maiden only narrowly but stepped up on that form when third behind useful novices in a Class 2 hurdle at Huntingdon (good to soft); strongly considered on the back of that, even with the penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:20 Newton Abbot

Despereaux

11st 9lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Five-time hurdle winner who ended last year with a brave success at Hereford (3m2f, good to soft); well held there in both runs this spring but he got involved in a battle up front last time; a player if he can get back near his best.

13/2

5th

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

15:20 Hereford

Despereaux

11st 10lb

J: James Best

T: Jane Williams

Steadily worked his way back to form this season, culminating in a narrow win over C&D (good to soft; 5lb higher today) in December under 7lb claimer; reverted to a lesser show 19 days ago but perhaps he needed that run after more than three months off.

3/1

5th

4

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Despereaux

11st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Had been struggling but has steadily got himself back on track and prevailed narrowly over C&D in December on latest appearance; 6lb higher for this and connections claimed another 7lb last time through Isabelle Ryder, but he had dropped to a fair mark anyway.

2/1

13/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 13 D BF

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Every chance on her winning form at Ludlow (good to soft) and being keen was no help when coming up short under a penalty at Ffos Las (soft; second has threatened since); solid prospects.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 3

14:40 Exeter

Georgi Girl

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Four wins (2m/2m5f) over hurdles, the last one off 2lb higher; 0-8 since switched to fences but ran well at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) most recently, pulling clear of the third; fighting chance.

9/4

2nd

4

18th Feb 2026

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:05 Ludlow

Georgi Girl

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Didn't run badly when fourth of nine at Windsor (2m4f, soft) last month and she continues to edge down the weights; however, she needs something extra today's if she's to break her chasing duck at the eighth attempt.

11/1

4th

5

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 42y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Georgi Girl

11st 7lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Has slipped to 2lb below last winning hurdles mark but seems far from certain to take advantage, being a fairly exposed mare who has failed to show her form in two starts this season, taking chase record to 0-6; faces some progressive opponents.

16/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 3P BF

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Brother to an Imperial Cup winner; only third of four in his bumper and was pulled up on his hurdling debut at Kempton over Christmas (2m, soft; 100-30); had wind surgery since then and no doubt capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Kempton

Him Malaya

11st 13lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Ran respectably at Taunton (2m3f) in April when last seen, taking record under Olive Nicholls to 13134; shapes as if this step back up in trip is worth exploring; solid claims.

7/2

4th

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

19:30 Taunton

Him Malaya

12st 1lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Recorded his second hurdle win when scoring over C&D (good) in December; had a break after that but he returned to action with a 2l third back over C&D last month; should be sharper this time and he's still unexposed at this trip; respected.

9/4

Form: P3

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Warm favourite when running no race behind Georgi Girl first time out but she stuck to her guns when beaten about 10l third at Newbury; Amalfi Skyline was ahead of her and seemingly travelling better when unseating three out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

5th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:28 Worcester

Jina

10st 12lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Nicky Henderson

Yet to achieve a great deal and well held in fifth on last month's Bangor handicap debut (made the running); down 5lb and top stable persevering so could be worth another chance.

9/1

5th

9

10th Jun 2023

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Jina

10st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Yet to set the world alight and finished last on her latest outing at Chepstow in April; her best effort came on good to firm and starts handicap life on a modest mark for top stable; market check essential.

9/2

6th

4

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

13:20 Chepstow

Jina

10st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Nicky Henderson

Flopped when warm favourite for debut but fared better when third (over 4l behind Imperial Jade) at Newbury (2m, good to firm) in February and was respectable fourth in stronger race than this at Taunton (2m, good to soft) last month; with a top stable and may still have a bigger run in her.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 5U

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hooded both times; jumping let him down at Ludlow (soft) and again at Newbury (good to firm) when unseating three out, though he was going okay at the time; clearly not short of ability.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

18:50 Fontwell

Amalfi Skyline

10st 2lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Barry Brennan

Hereford winner over fences (2m5f, good to soft) in 2024 who was also second over hurdles at Plumpton (3m1f, good) that year; missed 2025 and fell on his stable debut in February but there were signs he retained ability despite finishing last of five here (about 2m5f, soft) last month; possibilities in a thin event.

9/2

5th

4

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:10 Fontwell

Amalfi Skyline

11st 2lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Barry Brennan

Chase winner for Pat Murphy; was entitled to have needed his recent stable debut after almost two years off but was weakening out of it at Plumpton, behind Junior Des Mottes, when coming down at the second last.

8/1

4

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

15:45 Plumpton

Amalfi Skyline

10st 13lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Barry Brennan

2m5f chase winner and has the better form in that discipline, but he's not yet fully exposed over hurdles and his 7l second over C&D in May 2024 was a fair effort on final start for Pat Murphy; makes stable debut returning from a long absence and probably best watched.

14/1

Form: 4

Last run: 108 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished a remote fourth when hooded for his Doncaster debut (good) but interesting that he was so short in the betting at 11-4 and he should improve; no headgear this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

31st May 2026

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

16:37 Fakenham

Nickelforce

11st 5lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Ben Case

3-14 over fences, the latest win gained at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in November; just a respectable third at Uttoxeter (2m5f, good) this month, his second start after a layoff, and remains on fairly tough mark but still enters calculations.

7/2

3rd

4

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:50 Uttoxeter

Nickelforce

11st 9lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Ben Case

Has three wins over fences but was beaten 28l when fourth of five finishers at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) four weeks ago on his return from a winter break; still 6lb higher than for his last success and others look better handicapped.

10/1

4th

8

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Nickelforce

10st 13lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Had form figures of 23243221 last year and he was as good as ever when scoring at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in November; has won when fresh in the past but he's 7lb higher than last time and this is highly competitive on his return.

15/2

Form: 2

Last run: 71 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well related and, although no match for a clearcut winner in a bumper at Exeter (heavy), she was clear of the remainder; went off at only 7-2 so could be held in some regard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

15

10th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

Grumpy Rosie

10st 3lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Achieved little when runner-up behind an easy winner on her bumper debut here and has been tailed off in all three hurdles; entitled to show more now handicapping off a basement mark but hard to be confident.

50/1

10

21st Oct 2023

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 4

14:15 Newton Abbot

Grumpy Rosie

10st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Chris Honour

Remote second on debut in bumper at Exeter (2m1f, heavy) in January and tailed off over hurdles on next three starts; hard to fancy.

50/1

8th

9

21st Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

17:00 Exeter

Grumpy Rosie

10st 10lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Remote second in an uncompetitive bumper here in January and tailed off in her two hurdles.

20/1

Form: 516 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Behind Georgi Girl last time at Ffos Las but perhaps soft ground didn't suit him as he won comfortably the time before on good at Doncaster; that effort makes him a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:40 Taunton

Solomoon

11st 7lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

Behind Georgi Girl last time at Ffos Las but perhaps soft ground didn't suit him as he won comfortably the time before on good at Doncaster; that effort makes him a player.

16/1

6th

1

31st Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

13:40 Ffos Las

Solomoon

11st 7lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

Would have finished behind Chandlers Bay at Wetherby had that one not departed late on but he looked a different horse when winning comfortably at Doncaster (2m, good); penalised accordingly but should go well.

4/1

1st

8

25th Nov 2022

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

14:20 Doncaster

Solomoon

11st 0lb

J: David England

T: Dan Skelton

£25,000 yearling; 4-1 when well-beaten fifth of six in a similar race at Wetherby on debut (2m, good); improvement likely.

11/2

Form: 8

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Went off 33-1 at Ludlow and never really emerged from the rear; very opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

19:20 Fontwell

Milton Boy

10st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

held up in rear, some headway from 2 out, never dangerous

25/1

16

17th Jul 2024

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 5

15:40 Uttoxeter

Milton Boy

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Seven-race maiden; fifth of seven on chasing debut at Fontwell (2m3f, good; beaten 27l) five weeks ago; far easier to look elsewhere for the solution.

50/1

5th

10

12th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

15:13 Fontwell

Milton Boy

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

took keen hold, held up in rear, outpaced 7th

33/1

Form: 7O

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest bumper effort at Wincanton before departing early when 16-1 for a hurdle at Hereford; now hooded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

13th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:40 Taunton

Scratch Card

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Rebecca Curtis

Modest bumper effort at Wincanton before departing early when 16-1 for a hurdle at Hereford; now hooded.

66/1

3

26th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

13:50 Hereford

Scratch Card

11st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Rebecca Curtis

From a good Flat family but weakened out of contention and finished over 8l behind Juggernaut in Wincanton bumper (good to soft) in December; needs to take a good step forward here.

10/1

12

1st Jan 2023

Good

1m 5f 209y

Class 1

15:40 Cheltenham

Scratch Card

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

Form: 5F

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off behind Georgi Girl at Ludlow (good to soft) and she was playing for no more than the minor places when coming down at Hereford; has to improve and by quite a bit; now tongue tied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

18:45 Fontwell

Damask

10st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

0-13 over hurdles for Tom Symonds, having signed off with two disappointing runs in the spring, but now 1lb lower than for creditable third of 13 at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) in March; changed hands for £13,000 in May and it will be interesting to see what Dan Skelton can do with her.

3/1

8th

12

27th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

15:40 Hereford

Damask

10st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Tom Symonds

Consistent in handicaps this spring, making the frame for the third consecutive time when close up over C&D (good to soft; handles heavy) 18 days ago; likely to have a say again.

7/1

3rd

13

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:02 Hereford

Damask

10st 5lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Ten-race maiden; made the frame on both starts last month, more recently when third of 14 here (2m5f, soft), but needs to find something extra today; 1lb out of the handicap.

12/1

Non-runners

Solomoon, Damask

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.90
Straight Forecast £4.80
Trifecta £9.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Despereaux

RP Ratings:

Georgi Girl

LAMBOURN:

Jina

Telegraph:

Jina

The Times:

Georgi Girl

The Star:

Georgi Girl

Daily Record:

Georgi Girl

POSTDATA:

Despereaux

WEST COUNTRY:

Despereaux

The Guardian:

Despereaux

Daily Mail:

Despereaux

D Express:

Despereaux

Daily Mirror:

Despereaux

The Sun:

Despereaux