December 14 / 14.05 Taunton

14.05

Soft

Canadian Affair Holidays And Flights Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6680.46
  • 2m 7f 3y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Canadian Affair Holidays And Flights Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.10
  • Place: £2.10

Form: F11/72

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Completed a hurdling double over 3m+ in spring 2022 and showed he retains all his ability at just the second time of asking after a long absence when 3l second in 2m4f Wincanton handicap chase 21 days ago, with reopposing pair Gingerbred and Balko Saint behind him; should go well now stepping back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

16:02 Plumpton

Morfee

11st 6lb

J: James Best

T: Seamus Mullins

Has three wins over fences, including one over C&D; not operating at his best this year and a pull in the weights from when third over C&D in February (soft) should not see him reverse placings with either Lumi Plugin or Enjoy d'Allen.

10/1

6th

6

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:45 Taunton

Morfee

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Seamus Mullins

Ended a losing sequence at Fontwell (3m2f) in June but his more recent form is not so encouraging, a remote third of four in 3m2f Plumpton handicap chase 29 days ago; this C&D winner needs to revive.

8/1

3rd

4

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

14:35 Plumpton

Morfee

11st 11lb

J: Mr Simon Elliott

T: Seamus Mullins

Won at Fontwell (3m2f, good) last June and is also effective on soft ground; returned from break with encouraging third of five over C&D (good to soft) in December, but he's not easy to predict and was pulled up at Windsor (3m4f) last time; now drops back in trip but he needs to bounce back near best.

8/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 232432

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Not entirely straightforward but has been largely consistent over fences this season, caught in only the final strides over C&D (good) a fortnight ago; visored first time (has run well in cheekpieces before); another prominent showing is on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Hardy Boy

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

C&D winner last August and his close fourth at Cheltenham three runs back was his best form yet; soft ground was no good to him on final appearance; nothing wrong with his mark.

12/1

4th

4

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Hardy Boy

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

C&D winner last August and his close fourth at Cheltenham three runs back was his best form yet; soft ground was no good to him on final appearance; nothing wrong with his mark.

12/1

9th

9

29th Nov 2024

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

15:40 Newbury

Hardy Boy

10st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Ready winner over 2m7f at Market Rasen in August and he ran at least as well in defeat at Cheltenham in October but he has his share of weight now and soft ground has not been helpful so far.

14/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 1/32-P BF

Last run: 44 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper and placed in two hurdle races in 2022; his runner-up finishes in Irish points at the start of his career provided hope that he'd take to fences but he made a few mistakes and was pulled up in a 2m3f Chepstow handicap on his first attempt 44 days ago; tongue-tie added now; it's way too soon to be writing him off in this sphere but he's a hard one to be confident about after Chepstow.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

29th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 2

14:00 Uttoxeter

Hymac

10st 5lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

3m4f winner in April 2024 and, after a break, he followed up in a novice hurdle; continued to run well afterwards in staying chases, latterly behind Manothepeople at Cheltenham; this mark isn't beyond him; respected.

7/1

2nd

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Hymac

10st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Kept on gamely to win the 3m4f chase on this card a year ago (good ground) and has performed well on all four outings this season, most recently when third to Moroder in last month's Grimthorpe at Doncaster (3m2f, good; first-time cheekpieces); likely contender.

11/4

2nd

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Hymac

10st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Kept on gamely to win the 3m4f chase on this card a year ago (good ground) and has performed well on all four outings this season, most recently when third to Moroder in last month's Grimthorpe at Doncaster (3m2f, good; first-time cheekpieces); likely contender.

11/4

Form: /212-3

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won 2m5f Kempton novice hurdle (good to soft) last season; came up against smart Le Patron in 2m4f Sandown handicap on chase/seasonal debut and was in second until a bad mistake two out seemed to knock the stuffing out of him; runs off 3lb lower this afternoon and is likely to have a big say if his stamina holds.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

30th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

14:45 Taunton

Game Winner

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

led narrowly or disputed lead, mistake 9th, hit 3 out, headed final 110yds, soon no extra, lost second towards finish

15/8

4th

4

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:05 Taunton

Game Winner

11st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Won 2m5f Kempton novice hurdle (good to soft) last season; came up against smart Le Patron in 2m4f Sandown handicap on chase/seasonal debut and was in second until a bad mistake two out seemed to knock the stuffing out of him; runs off 3lb lower this afternoon and is likely to have a big say if his stamina holds.

11/4

3rd

5

12th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 10y

Class 3

13:05 Sandown

Game Winner

10st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Solid three-race campaign as a novice hurdler this January-April, easily making all at 1-5 in a four-runner race for his win (Kempton 2m5f, good to soft); put in his place by the winner there next time but should embark on chase career with plenty of potential.

6/1

Form: 16-B35

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle at Fontwell (2m5f, soft) in March and, having been brought down early on chase debut, he was a good third at Kempton (3m, good) in October; needs to shrug off a lesser run at Market Rasen (3m, good to soft) since; the first-time tongue-tie worn on that occasion is retained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Riskintheground

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Good ground is the key to him; his form had nosedived but he was running much better when hampered late on at the Cheltenham Festival and then came good at Haydock (2m4f, good), prevailing only narrowly but under a confident ride in a strong race (he also won it the season before when staged at Cheltenham); a 4lb rise seems very generous.

11/8

1st

4

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Riskintheground

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won this race 12 months ago at Cheltenham when 1lb higher so he's dangerously handicapped for his defence; his form had nosedived after winning in a small field at Newton Abbot in October but the signs were more encouraging last time in the 2m4f Plate at the Festival as he was staying on when hampered by a faller at the last fence; has to be of interest, especially given the yard's form.

4/1

11th

13

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Riskintheground

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

He's run some of his better races at Cheltenham, including a New course win (about 2m4f, good; off this mark) from O'Moore Park last April; not much going for him on his form since beating three rivals at Newton Abbot in October but some sort of revival isn't beyond the imagination.

33/1

Form: 737-55

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Has yet to build on his 2m2f Exeter handicap hurdle win in February, including in two chases this season, finishing behind the reopposing Morfee at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) latterly; up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 136y

Class 4

15:50 Chepstow

Gingerbred

10st 8lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Carroll Gray

Runner-up twice in December (2m7f and near 3m3f) but right out of form since, way behind Lightonthewing last time; headgear first time.

25/1

Form: -22286

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Runner-up four times over fences at up to 2m5f during the spring/summer but below par in a hurdle race/chase at Wincanton since returning from a break; up in trip; others have less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

1st Jan 2024

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

14:45 Exeter

Balko Saint

11st 10lb

J: Mr Peter Summers

T: Jane Williams

Very well handicapped on some of last year's placed form but returned from break with three below-par runs in the autumn and needs to turn a corner; won a heavy-ground hurdle in France in 2021 but may be best suited by good ground.

16/1

7th

7

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:05 Taunton

Balko Saint

11st 2lb

J: Mr Peter Summers

T: Jane Williams

Runner-up four times over fences at up to 2m5f during the spring/summer but below par in a hurdle race/chase at Wincanton since returning from a break; up in trip; others have less to prove.

20/1

Form: 1421-6

Last run: 18 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Progressive in handicap hurdles towards the end of last season, winning twice at Ffos Las (2m4f, good/good to soft); 20-1, weakened as if possibly in need of first outing in seven months when sixth of nine on 2m3f Exeter chase debut 18 days ago; up in trip; could make more of an impact this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

22nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 4

17:20 Newbury

Bumpy Johnson

12st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Didn't really take to chasing and when back over hurdles at Wincanton (2m5f) he perhaps found the heavy ground against him; won on good and good to soft over 2m4f last season and he probably stays 3m; nothing wrong with his mark.

12/1

5th

1

6th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 5f 82y

Class 3

15:15 Wincanton

Bumpy Johnson

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: David Pipe

Dual hurdle winner at Ffos Las (2m4f, good to soft/good) towards end of last season, latterly off today's mark; lacked fluency and was safely held in two chases in the autumn but ought to be seen to better effect now back over hurdles; unraced on heavy ground but handles soft well.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 372P0-

Last run: 299 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse (2m4f, soft) in March 2021; 0-7 over fences for Gordon Elliott subsequently and down the field in a 2m7f Ascot handicap hurdle in February (his only start for Harry Fry); betting perhaps the best guide to expectations on return for Christian Williams.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:05 Taunton

Old Town Garde

12st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

Won a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse (2m4f, soft) in March 2021; 0-7 over fences for Gordon Elliott subsequently and down the field in a 2m7f Ascot handicap hurdle in February (his only start for Harry Fry); betting perhaps the best guide to expectations on return for Christian Williams.

25/1

10th

7

18th Feb 2023

Good

2m 7f 118y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

Old Town Garde

11st 11lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Harry Fry

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

14/1

1

21st Oct 2022

Good To Firm

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Cheltenham

Old Town Garde

12st 0lb

J: Mr R James

T: Gordon Elliott

jumped right on occasions, midfield, mistake 16th, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, weakened home turn, blundered 2 out, pulled up before last

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £22.20
Straight Forecast £34.06
Tricast £218.65
Trifecta £218.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Game Winner

The Times:

Hardy Boy

D Express:

Gingerbred

WEST COUNTRY:

Hymac

TOPSPEED:

Balko Saint

RP RATINGS:

Game Winner

POSTDATA:

Game Winner

LAMBOURN:

Game Winner

Telegraph:

Game Winner

Daily Mirror:

Game Winner

The Star:

Game Winner

Daily Record:

Game Winner

The Guardian:

Hardy Boy

Daily Mail:

Hardy Boy

The Sun:

Hardy Boy