April 13 / 16.55 Taunton

16.55

Good

Invest Southwest Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 5
  • 17 runners
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Invest Southwest Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 66-0P3

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Ran well in first-time cheekpieces here (2m3f, good) six weeks ago, achieving his first piece of placed form; may well take another step forward with the headgear retained; possibilities off same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

14th Nov 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

13:05 Taunton

Phoenix Risen

11st 11lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: Jeremy Scott

took keen hold, led narrowly or disputed lead after 1st

12/1

2nd

3

14th Nov 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

13:05 Taunton

Phoenix Risen

11st 11lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: Jeremy Scott

took keen hold, led narrowly or disputed lead after 1st

12/1

9th

1

21st Jul 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:10 Newton Abbot

Phoenix Risen

12st 0lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Failed to build upon last month's promising chase debut when tailed off here 16 days ago but reverts to hurdling on a good mark and is pretty versatile regarding ground.

9/1

14/1

  • Place: £8.90

Form: 6-F550 D

Last run: 170 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Sole win came in 2021; has slipped to a workable mark but lacks recent match practice having been absent since a poor effort in October; best watched unless the market speaks positively.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

14

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:30 Chepstow

Gavin

10st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Four-time hurdle winner; last success was 17 months ago but he was placed off this reduced mark at Market Rasen (2m2f, good) in September and he had an excuse when upped to 3m last time; often a front-runner and he could go well back at this trip.

16/1

9th

14

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:30 Chepstow

Gavin

10st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Four-time hurdle winner; last success was 17 months ago but he was placed off this reduced mark at Market Rasen (2m2f, good) in September and he had an excuse when upped to 3m last time; often a front-runner and he could go well back at this trip.

16/1

8

13th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:30 Ffos Las

Gavin

11st 1lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Four-time hurdle winner over 2m (twice here); well below best this year but arrested decline and put in good front-running shift when third at Market Rasen (2m2f, good) recently; goes beyond 2m4f for first time today; hood refitted; Sean Bowen evidently prefers Lady Harriett.

7/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 652663

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Starting to look exposed as a modest maiden but holds each-way hopes having been placed in two of his last four appearances; respectable third at Exeter (2m, good) latest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

25th Jun 2024

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:00 Newton Abbot

Gorcombe Moonshine

10st 11lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Sole win in 23 starts was over fences late last year but he's been on the scene over hurdles of late, latterly at Worcester last week (on good); should be involved once more.

5/1

3rd

11

19th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:15 Worcester

Gorcombe Moonshine

10st 11lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

led, briefly headed 2nd

7/1

4th

10

5th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:40 Newton Abbot

Gorcombe Moonshine

10st 6lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Jumping issues have surfaced since Christmas's winning chase debut at Fontwell (2m2f, soft); ran respectably returned to hurdles last month off this mark in refitted cheekpieces and he's worth considering, albeit with 0-12 record in this discipline.

9/1

Form: 3-3085

Last run: 103 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden; shaped better than bare result in first-time visor at Uttoxeter when last seen, eventually tiring on the heavy going; may improve back on better ground with blinkers now given a whirl.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

12th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

13:40 Market Rasen

Syr Maffos

11st 0lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Tom Lacey

Generally disappointing since moving into handicaps but took good step in right direction when fourth at Taunton (2m, good to soft; first-time blinkers) last month, and that form has already worked out well; 3lb lower here; visored refitted this time; can make his presence felt.

7/2

4th

11

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:55 Taunton

Syr Maffos

11st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Six-race maiden; shaped better than bare result in first-time visor at Uttoxeter when last seen, eventually tiring on the heavy going; may improve back on better ground with blinkers now given a whirl.

14/1

5th

7

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:33 Uttoxeter

Syr Maffos

11st 3lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Well behind in both his handicaps (2m/2m5f) and reportedly hung right-handed in the latest; the visor needs to have some effect.

12/1

Form: 57-627

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Finished first past the post (demoted to second) in 2m5f event at Wincanton last month; failed to back up that form over the same C&D later in March; has form at 2m but latest effort tempers enthusiasm.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

25th Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

15:45 Warwick

Noble Savage

11st 12lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Off the mark (19th attempt) when scoring over hurdles at Taunton (2m3f, good) in November but he's not easy to predict and was tailed off at Doncaster last time; now makes his chase debut after another break and he needs to bounce back near his best.

14/1

2nd

4

25th Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

15:45 Warwick

Noble Savage

11st 12lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Off the mark (19th attempt) when scoring over hurdles at Taunton (2m3f, good) in November but he's not easy to predict and was tailed off at Doncaster last time; now makes his chase debut after another break and he needs to bounce back near his best.

14/1

12th

3

28th Jan 2024

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 5

15:35 Doncaster

Noble Savage

11st 12lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

All out to win at Taunton (2m3f, good) two months ago, opening his account at the 19th attempt; back up 6lb and back down in trip, he doesn't look an obvious type to follow up.

6/1

50/1

Form: P06

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Juvenile hurdler who has nothing to recommend her; beaten long way here the last twice; 17lb out of the weights on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

31st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:25 Leicester

La Referi

10st 5lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Has offered little in her six starts over hurdles thus far, only tenth in 2m Taunton handicap last time; she's hard to make a case for.

50/1

10th

13

8th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:05 Taunton

La Referi

10st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

Has had few chances but her two handicap runs over 2m, the latest after wind surgery, suggest she will be out in the cold again.

33/1

Form: 7-059

Last run: 102 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Absent since a heavy defeat in maiden hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day; penultimate effort was mildly promising; nicely bred 6yo who looks open to improvement now qualified for handicaps; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

17th Oct 2024

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

17:15 Wincanton

Robinsville

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Modest maiden over hurdles and will need to jump better than last time (in June, third chase start) if he's to win this; however, his close third at Newton Abbot the run before was as well as he's run.

6/1

5th

4

25th Jun 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Robinsville

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Modest maiden over hurdles but he's very well bred and came third in two handicaps since switched to fences, latterly when close over C&D this month; one of the more likely ones in a very winnable affair.

2/1

3rd

10

5th Jun 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:10 Newton Abbot

Robinsville

10st 3lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Modest maiden over hurdles but he's very well bred and there were positives to take from chase debut at Stratford (2m6f, good) when beaten 11l; can win races off this mark.

20/1

Form: 2-5400

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Defied a higher mark when with previous stable; holds poor claims on form for current yard, however, and first-time tongue-tie needs to prompt a major turnaround.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

15th May 2023

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:45 Southwell

Forever Des Long

11st 3lb

J: David Noonan

T: Claire Dyson

Very well handicapped on some of last year's hurdling form for Philip Hobbs but hasn't shown a great deal for current stable (five runs) and has quite a bit to prove on today's chasing debut.

33/1

8th

4

28th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

20:00 Southwell

Forever Des Long

11st 8lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Claire Dyson

Very well handicapped on some of last year's form for Philip Hobbs but hasn't shown a great deal for current stable (four runs) and is not the most obvious answer here.

33/1

8th

2

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:55 Taunton

Forever Des Long

11st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: Claire Dyson

Defied a higher mark when with previous stable; holds poor claims on form for current yard, however, and first-time tongue-tie needs to prompt a major turnaround.

25/1

Form: 7657

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Just minor form in novice hurdles at this course; however, she's bred to do better still (out of a dual hurdles winner for her connections) and looks a likely improver now handicapping off 90; very interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

25th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

15:25 Ludlow

Faerie Cutlass

11st 1lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Kim Bailey

midfield, smooth headway on outer and prominent before 3 out, led 2 out, ridden after last, went clear final 110yds

7/2

1st

6

25th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

15:25 Ludlow

Faerie Cutlass

11st 1lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Kim Bailey

midfield, smooth headway on outer and prominent before 3 out, led 2 out, ridden after last, went clear final 110yds

7/2

Form: 613557

Last run: 113 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Hurdle scorer in France; clear best form in Britain when scoring over fences (2m5f) in October; absent since December; has something to prove back down in trip and returned to this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

17th Jun 2023

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

16:55 Hexham

Ho Que Oui

11st 1lb

J: Jamie Moore

T: Alexandra Dunn

Generally very disappointing since her win off 3lb higher at Ffos Las (2m5f, good) in October but stopped the rot when second of four at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) last month and has possibilities if in the right mood again; cheekpieces refitted.

11/2

2nd

3

29th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:25 Huntingdon

Ho Que Oui

10st 13lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Alexandra Dunn

held up in last

14/1

4

27th Apr 2023

Good

2m 5f 150y

Class 5

20:10 Taunton

Ho Que Oui

11st 8lb

J: Mr Jake Bament

T: Alexandra Dunn

Added to her hurdle win in France when scoring over fences at Ffos Las (2m5f, good) in October but she's struggled since and was beaten a long way back over hurdles two weeks ago; goes back up in trip but she's still above her last winning mark and has plenty to prove back over fences.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-1215 D

Last run: 160 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Suited by good/firmer; had a productive spell (Flat/hurdles) in Jersey prior to scoring at Stratford on his return to the mainland; absent since a defeat in November, however, and may need this first run back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

21st Oct 2024

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

16:25 Plumpton

Man Of The Sea

10st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

raced lazily at times, midfield, headway 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, stayed on run-in, went second final stride

5/1

9th

8

(6)

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

16:10 Bath

Man Of The Sea

9st 7lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: Neil Mulholland

Winner of 11 races, albeit one came over hurdles and eight came on the Flat on Jersey; off four months and others make greater appeal.

8/1

9th

8

(6)

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

16:10 Bath

Man Of The Sea

9st 7lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: Neil Mulholland

midfield

8/1

Form: 5P20-5 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

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

9th

10

(8)

17th Sep 2022

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Secret Potion

9st 0lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Ronald Harris

slowly away, always towards rear

14/1

5th

5

(4)

8th Sep 2022

Good To Soft

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

16:10 Chepstow

Secret Potion

9st 3lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Ronald Harris

held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and outpaced 2f out, kept on inside final furlong

16/1

7th

8

(5)

13th Aug 2022

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

18:50 Wolverhampton (AW)

Secret Potion

9st 0lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Ronald Harris

slowly into stride, always towards rear, never going well, lost action

14/1

Form: 6488

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Down the field in 2m3f contest here two months ago when making handicap hurdle debut; however, looks interesting with cheekpieces applied for first time under this code (Irish Flat win came in this headgear).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

14

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:35 Taunton

Sassified

10st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Has dropped in the weights and ran well behind Prairie Diamond last week at Wincanton, though he was put in his place and faces that rival on the same terms.

9/2

2nd

14

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:35 Taunton

Sassified

10st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Has dropped in the weights and ran well behind Prairie Diamond last week at Wincanton, though he was put in his place and faces that rival on the same terms.

9/2

2nd

9

21st Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

12:45 Wincanton

Sassified

10st 11lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Unable to pose a threat this season but he's dropped down the weights and has the assistance of rising star Callum Pritchard; no surprise if he plays a leading role.

11/2

Form: 0780

Last run: 80 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Point bumper winner; poor results under rules and has pulled hard on occasions; however, he's in good hands and may be capable of better now handicapping off just 79.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

26th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:40 Worcester

Nordy Lordy

10st 7lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Bettered inauspicious handicap debut and arguably ran a fair bit better than eventual 22l defeat might suggest at Warwick (2m3f, good to soft) a fortnight ago, having made a forward move from the rear on the final circuit; drops back in trip here; interesting.

8/1

5th

9

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

18:25 Warwick

Nordy Lordy

10st 2lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Point bumper winner but struggled in five runs under rules and pulled up on handicap debut at Taunton last month; 3lb out of the weights this time and can only be watched until he shows some positive signs.

20/1

12

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:55 Taunton

Nordy Lordy

10st 7lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Point bumper winner; poor results under rules and has pulled hard on occasions; however, he's in good hands and may be capable of better now handicapping off just 79.

16/1

Form: 0065

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Distant fifth on latest outing and still has poor form; however, bred to do better still (related to two winners for her stable) and may be capable of a bigger effort now handicapping off only 78.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

23rd Oct 2024

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

16:45 Fontwell

Tuscan Rose

10st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

Kept on well to open account at Taunton (3m, soft) in March, her eighth start over hurdles; not seen again since but should be okay over today's shorter trip and has a big role to play if fully tuned up.

5/2

1st

8

26th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:20 Taunton

Tuscan Rose

10st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

0-7 over hurdles but was placed for first time when keeping-on third at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) in January and has possibilities if suited by today's step up in trip.

9/2

Form: P64307

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Finished behind fellow maiden Gorcombe Moonshine at Exeter most recently but ran well (40-1 third) over 2m3f here in November and has place claims if back to that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

14th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:40 Newton Abbot

Presgrave

10st 2lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Jimmy Frost

in touch with leaders, bad mistake and nearly lost jockey 2nd, soon towards rear, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

33/1

15

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:55 Taunton

Presgrave

10st 2lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Jimmy Frost

Finished behind fellow maiden Gorcombe Moonshine at Exeter most recently but ran well (40-1 third) over 2m3f here in November and has place claims if back to that form.

16/1

7th

15

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:40 Exeter

Presgrave

10st 2lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Jimmy Frost

Ran well from the front when third at Taunton last November but nothing like as good on only start since, at that track last month; cheekpieces worn in both of those races now left off; 0-18 in career.

20/1

Form: 30P

Last run: 104 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Handicap debutant who has very weak claims on his form shown in juvenile hurdles; jumping lacked fluency here when last seen; 4lb out of the weights; needs a transformation.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

26th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:40 Worcester

Ghyll Manor

10st 3lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: D J Jeffreys

Didn't show a great deal in three juvenile hurdles towards the end of last year; handicap debut from a lowly mark but considered only if lively in the betting.

12/1

16

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:55 Taunton

Ghyll Manor

10st 2lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: D J Jeffreys

Handicap debutant who has very weak claims on his form shown in juvenile hurdles; jumping lacked fluency here when last seen; 4lb out of the weights; needs a transformation.

25/1

7

30th Dec 2022

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

12:45 Taunton

Ghyll Manor

11st 0lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: D J Jeffreys

Last of three finishers on soft ground at Bangor and then finished completely tailed off on good at Doncaster; very opposable.

100/1

Non-runners

Man Of The Sea, Sassified, Ghyll Manor

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £143.00
Straight Forecast £97.64
Tricast £401.47
Trifecta £526.60

Selections

RP Ratings:

Phoenix Risen

POSTDATA:

Gorcombe Moonshine

Daily Mail:

Sassified

SPOTLIGHT:

Faerie Cutlass

D Express:

Syr Maffos

Telegraph:

Forever Des Long

WEST COUNTRY:

Noble Savage

Daily Record:

Man Of The Sea

The Times:

Phoenix Risen

The Guardian:

Phoenix Risen

The Sun:

Phoenix Risen

Daily Mirror:

Gorcombe Moonshine

The Star:

Sassified