December 14 / 12.20 Taunton

12.20

Soft

Kings College Taunton Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4955.32
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Kings College Taunton Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

1/2 (Won)

  • Win: £1.54
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Clear with last Saturday's Aintree Listed race winner Liari when a promising second of 11 on his 1m7f Wincanton debut (soft) 46 days ago; sets a good standard and he's likely capable of even better; hard to get away from.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

19:07 Chepstow

Inside Man

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Never able to get competitive returning from five months out in a big-field Sussex Champion Hurdle recently, but September's handicap debut win came off only 2lb lower than today's mark and he landed a good-ground C&D novice event exactly a year ago; could well get back on track.

6/1

9th

6

5th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Inside Man

11st 3lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Did well in juvenile/novice hurdles and he reappeared in September with a handicap win in a five-runner race at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft; comfortably off 4lb lower); Newbury in November was disappointing but he did go off favourite and has had a break since; remains of interest.

25/1

2

9th Sep 2025

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

15:58 Newton Abbot

Inside Man

11st 6lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Runner-up in one of his two handicaps and did well to defy a 12lb penalty in a novice at Chepstow in April (good; fine on softer); open to further improvement.

3/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: O2

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Looked set for third (of three remaining) when running out at the final flight on his Hereford debut; achieved more when second at Kempton (2m, good to soft) 17 days ago but he was beaten 23l by Captain Marvellous and bumps into another promising Jane Williams runner here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

1st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:30 Warwick

Great Valley

12st 1lb

J: Mr Guy Sankey

T: N Gittins

Unbeaten in six since February 2025, encompassing 2m4f-3m contests around various track and going types; effortless transition to hunter chases at Ludlow latest (2m4f, good), and although patiently ridden there his proven ability at making all might yet come in handy down in trip.

4/6

1st

4

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:57 Ludlow

Great Valley

11st 12lb

J: Mr Guy Sankey

T: N Gittins

Has a mountain to climb on BHA ratings but his was earned over hurdles and he's been going great guns in points during the past 12 months or so; it's also worth bearing in mind that in late 2024 he got to within 3l of this month's Cheltenham Festival hero Barton Snow in a 3m point; only a 6yo and could run well.

11/4

5th

13

12th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:30 Wincanton

Great Valley

10st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, jumped right 1st, outpaced from 2 out, no extra run-in

3/1

33/1

  • Place: £15.30

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to a couple of quite useful winners on the Flat and her dam was also successful on the level (1m2f/11.7f); worth a precautionary betting check for a stable among the winners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:30 Kelso

Speiriuil

11st 4lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

With a new yard this season and has been better than ever since these cheekpieces went on, winning here (2m2f, good to soft) in December and following up at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft); this thriving mare is respected.

6/1

1st

11

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

14:30 Musselburgh

Speiriuil

11st 7lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Adam Nicol

Has shown career-best form since wearing cheekpieces, finishing second over C&D then going one better at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft); may have more to offer in the retained headgear; shortlisted.

9/2

8th

4

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 218y

Class 5

15:42 Carlisle

Speiriuil

11st 11lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Won at Lingfield (2m3f, heavy) last November for Nigel Hawke and ran well on good ground in the spring on final two outings for that yard; makes stable debut with trainer's horses in good heart; interesting contender.

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No obvious paper appeal and would be a surprise winner on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Lord Of All Saints

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

He was completing a hat-trick last season when beating Marlacoo at Sandown (2m4f, soft; effective on good to soft); however, there's been no sign of that form this campaign and his usual hood is removed.

33/1

7th

3

18th Feb 2026

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

17:05 Ludlow

Lord Of All Saints

11st 9lb

J: James Best

T: Harriet Dickin

Won three in a row last season (2m3f-2m4f, good to soft/soft); scoped dirty after final race last term and, although not disgraced on reappearance, he ran poorly at Warwick on latest start; off ten weeks and needs a revival.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 7

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed a bit when seventh of 15 in 1m5f Exeter bumper on debut but not enough to suggest he's likely to make a successful switch to hurdles now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Catboy

10st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Hasn't got a lot going in his previous four chases but well handicapped on some of his hurdle form and didn't run too badly in that discipline last time.

6/1

5th

12

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:07 Ludlow

Catboy

10st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Very opposable on this season's exploits but he has dropped to a dangerous mark and this 6yo could stage a revival at some point; worth checking the betting.

14/1

8th

10

16th Sep 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:10 Uttoxeter

Catboy

10st 11lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Christian Williams

Made disappointing start to chasing career this season (three attempts) and reverted to hurdling with a heavy defeat and a fall last month; lurks on a good mark but needs to turn a corner.

12/1

Form: 38

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten 21l when third in 2m Ludlow juvenile hurdle on debut and comfortably held at Exeter since; first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) need to spark major improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:05 Taunton

Pivotal Sky

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Mitchell Hunt

raced wide, in touch with leaders, niggled along after 3rd

25/1

10th

16

12th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:30 Wincanton

Pivotal Sky

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Mitchell Hunt

never going well, always behind, tailed off

40/1

6th

9

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

12:20 Taunton

Pivotal Sky

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Mitchell Hunt

Beaten 21l when third in 2m Ludlow juvenile hurdle on debut and comfortably held at Exeter since; first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) need to spark major improvement.

66/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Cost £29,000 as a 2yo and is out of a mare who was placed over 1m3f in France; from a respected stable but has a useful standard to aim at on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:52 Kempton

Kingly Fighter

11st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Well beaten all three starts, most recently when 200-1 for Huntingdon maiden (2m, good; first run after wind surgery) last month; makes handicap debut from a lowly mark but needs to take a big step forward.

16/1

7

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:52 Kempton

Kingly Fighter

11st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

in rear

16/1

8th

3

12th Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

13:38 Huntingdon

Kingly Fighter

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alex Hales

held up in rear

50/1

Form: 58

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Comfortably held in two bumpers ahead of this switch to hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(8)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:20 Lingfield

Bobacious

9st 0lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Mark Hoad

Four wins for two previous yards came from the front, three round undulating courses; finished last season on a downswing, though, and sold for 1,000gns since; there's nothing to suggest he's best caught fresh.

12/1

2

(6)

18th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bobacious

9st 11lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Ed Dunlop

Campaigned on turf this term for new yard; had a good spell in June/July but has proved disappointing in two starts since; beaten favourite in last two AW attempts and now 3lb higher.

8/1

1

(5)

8th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:04 Windsor

Bobacious

9st 13lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Ed Dunlop

Prominent racer; won 1m2f handicaps at Leicester and Epsom in midsummer and ran well in his hat-trick bid here in July; weak in the market and ran poorly at Newmarket 24 days ago (raced too freely); more to prove on ground slower than good.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to 2m3f-2m7f hurdle/chase winner Bal Kauto and out of a close relation to Kauto Star; the betting should help guide to expectations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

18:45 Fontwell

Kauto Castillo

10st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Unable to land a telling blow when ninth of 13 on recent handicap debut at Market Rasen (2m2f, good); effectively 7lb lower here but still needs significant improvement over the new trip.

33/1

9th

13

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

19:50 Market Rasen

Kauto Castillo

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

held up in rear, some headway 2 out, weakened approaching last

100/1

9th

9

4th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:20 Southwell

Kauto Castillo

10st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

Pulled up and tailed off in his first two runs over hurdles and didn't jump with any fluency either time.

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
By Mukhadram and the first foal of a 2m hurdle winner from a decent family; the yard can ready one and it'll be interesting to see what the betting makes of him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

12:20 Taunton

Outside Half

11st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Tom Lacey

By Mukhadram and the first foal of a 2m hurdle winner from a decent family; the yard can ready one and it'll be interesting to see what the betting makes of him.

9/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third foal; dam unplaced 11.5f, half-sister to 5f Listed winner out of 1m 2yo winner; probably best watched on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

16th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Vinnie ONeil

11st 7lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Sam Allwood

Yet to finish off a race especially strongly, including when a 50l last of seven on last month's C&D return (good); latest 5lb drop isn't sufficiently persuasive.

66/1

7th

8

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

15:02 Bangor-on-Dee

Vinnie ONeil

10st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Sam Allwood

Hard to make a case after finishing tailed off when 40-1 for his handicap debut (2m3f, soft; first-time tongue-tie); did show a smidgeon of promise on good ground last year but he's unconvincing.

25/1

7

17th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:22 Uttoxeter

Vinnie ONeil

11st 0lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sam Allwood

Pulled up on both appearances, more recently when 500-1 for C&D maiden (good) 12 days ago.

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.70
Straight Forecast £10.58
Trifecta £345.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Inside Man

RP RATINGS:

Inside Man

POSTDATA:

Inside Man

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Inside Man

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Inside Man

Telegraph:

Inside Man

The Guardian:

Inside Man

Daily Mail:

Inside Man

D Express:

Inside Man

Daily Mirror:

Inside Man

The Sun:

Inside Man

The Star:

Inside Man

Daily Record:

Inside Man