December 14 / 14.40 Taunton

14.40

Soft

Classic Collection Holidays Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7208.56
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
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Classic Collection Holidays Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.50
  • Place: £3.50

Form: 104-P4

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won two non-handicaps last season, on soft and good; behind Amelia's Dance at Kempton but that race wasn't really run to suit and he might well strip fitter for this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

15th Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 3

15:18 Uttoxeter

Samuel Spade

10st 13lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Five-time winning hurdler who took a firm step forward from May's chasing debut with a convincing win at Worcester (2m7f) the following month; far from discredited when fifth of 13 in valuable event over C&D (again good) and he's a big player in these calmer waters.

5/2

5th

11

28th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:27 Uttoxeter

Samuel Spade

10st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Lacked fluency on chase debut but jumped better and beat Grand Clermont kept to Worcester (2m7f, good) last time; unexposed in this sphere and remains favourably treated on best hurdles form, which features a win off 1lb higher; major claims.

8/1

1st

7

11th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:40 Worcester

Samuel Spade

11st 3lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Lacked fluency and was ultimately well beaten over C&D (good) on chasing debut a fortnight ago, after a layoff, but significant positives can still be drawn from that performance and he ought to cope better than some of these if the ground softens; can be dangerous if in a better rhythm today.

14/1

14/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 321-59 CD

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Signed off last season with a convincing C&D success off 6lb lower (good to soft; fine on soft); however, he'll need to leave his last two runs behind if he's to play a part.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

16:00 Taunton

Just Loose Change

12st 2lb

J: Mr Martin McIntyre

T: Darren McAlinden

Course hurdles winner in April 2023 and he won a handicap chase at Huntingdon in November 2024; mishaps have been a feature across his last three starts and he's down the pecking order today.

25/1

4th

5

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

14:20 Stratford

Just Loose Change

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

soon prominent, not fluent 6th

20/1

5th

8

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Just Loose Change

11st 7lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nicky Martin

Won at Huntingdon in November on his second chase start, but well-beaten second of three at Catterick next time and pulled up at Hereford most recently; first-time cheekpieces need to prompt a revival.

25/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 51/45 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Ex-French; went missing for nearly 600 days after comfortably making all in a C&D novice in March 2022 (soft); his comeback run at Newton Abbot was encouraging and Sandown next time perhaps came too soon; has had a longer break prior to this and certainly not exposed just yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(1)

28th Jun 2026

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

15:47 Wolverhampton (AW)

Individualiste

9st 6lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Ben Lund

Formerly a fair hurdler/chaser, but the wheels have come right off; no appeal despite another 6lb drop.

50/1

8th

7

(8)

10th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:08 Kempton (AW)

Individualiste

9st 5lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Ben Lund

Formerly with Paul Nicholls then Gavin Cromwell; has four jumps wins to his name; placed twice in this code at up to 1m5f but very hard to fancy on his form since joining his current trainer.

50/1

9th

9

14th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 44y

Class 3

14:40 Salisbury

Individualiste

8st 5lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Ben Lund

Winner over hurdles for Paul Nicholls and fences for Gavin Cromwell but pulled up at big prices in both hurdle starts for this yard; visor deployed on his belated handicap debut in this sphere.

50/1

Form: 63-701 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Not the easiest to catch right but the front two came clear when he returned to winning ways at Cheltenham (2m5f, good to soft) on latest start, with first-time tongue-tie and cheekpieces back on; seems fine on soft ground and not without hope of defying a 6lb rise if holding his form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

American Sniper

11st 4lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Made all for 13l success at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) last time, ending a losing run that went back to 2024; still competitively handicapped on historical data and has won at up to 3m; not dismissed.

7/1

1st

1

27th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:56 Newton Abbot

American Sniper

12st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Has patchy profile but he's well handicapped on his Taunton second (2m3f, good) in December and he may have needed his reappearance run at Hereford this month; this step back up in trip is no problem and he's one to keep an eye on for in-form yard.

11/2

5th

1

5th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

19:17 Hereford

American Sniper

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Has become hard to predict, as his 16l fourth at Taunton (2m3f, good) in January would suggest, having failed to back up a decent effort there the previous month; back on his last winning mark and could play a leading role if at his best.

7/2

Form: 545-22 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
No match for a progressive one at Wincanton (soft) but she went close when helping to set the pace at Kempton on latest start and she's a bit of a Taunton specialist; raised 3lb since last time but, unlike that race or at Wincanton, Tabitha Worsley can claim this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

19:20 Stratford

Amelias Dance

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Robert Walford

Runner-up five times last season but not at best when well-held fourth at Taunton (2m, soft) in March; pulled up after a bad early mistake at Kempton last month.

5/1

5th

1

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

19:20 Stratford

Amelias Dance

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Robert Walford

led, pressed leader when headed 2nd, led last (usual 2 out), headed home turn, weakened final 110yds

5/1

4

22nd Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton

Amelias Dance

11st 12lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

midfield, bad mistake and almost fell 3rd, soon pulled up quickly

14/1

Form: F-19P4 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Fourth in the 2m2f Cesarewitch on Flat in October; four-time winner over hurdles but no excuses when only fourth of six runners over C&D two weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:51 Worcester

Bashful Boy

11st 8lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Without a win since 2023 and was out of form when last seen over hurdles in the autumn; this year's Flat form has been fairly respectable but he's on the downgrade and makes only limited appeal back in this sphere.

14/1

4th

4

(6)

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 24y

Class 5

16:15 Bath

Bashful Boy

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: David Pipe

Veteran who hasn't won since 2023 but he's been in fair form on AW this spring including when fourth on Polytrack (2m) in his last two starts; should be in the mix again but he needs to find more to make a big impact; cheekpieces are removed and blinkers return.

9/2

4th

4

(1)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:50 Kempton (AW)

Bashful Boy

9st 12lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: David Pipe

Veteran who hasn't won since 2023; expensive to follow in recent times but he arrives in form and this is a touch easier again off a career-low mark; can't be left out of calculations.

4/1

Form: 5412-P D

Last run: 220 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Regular mount for Harry Atkins; Hereford winner (2m3f, good to soft) last season who then finished second at Cheltenham (off just 2lb lower than today); pulled up on final run and has had wind surgery since; hard to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Samtara

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Marshall

T: Ms Claire Hart

1-31 and not always a strong finisher under rules previously, but really dug in to wrest the prize back at Mollington latest (2m4f, good to firm); plenty to find on peak ratings but confidence restored at least.

33/1

5

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Samtara

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Marshall

T: Ms Claire Hart

1-31 and not always a strong finisher under rules previously, but really dug in to wrest the prize back at Mollington latest (2m4f, good to firm); plenty to find on peak ratings but confidence restored at least.

33/1

8th

7

30th May 2024

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

18:10 Warwick

Samtara

11st 4lb

J: Mr Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Not the best of strike-rates but sound run when second over fences at Huntingdon last time (2m7f, good); well handicapped at present; a possible back hurdling.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-512P

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Outclassed in the Greatwood last time when pulled up at 100-1; usually consistent and went into that in form after competitive runs over 2m (good/heavy); however, he .does look on a tough mark and might be vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(4)

11th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

15:50 Southwell (AW)

Swaffham Bulbeck

9st 3lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Stuart Edmunds

A pretty useful jumper, last successful in a 2m handicap hurdle here in September; rarely seen on the Flat in recent years but he has finished second in staying handicaps on AW on his last two runs in this sphere; should be involved.

11/4

8th

1

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 3

14:40 Taunton

Swaffham Bulbeck

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Stuart Edmunds

Outclassed in the Greatwood last time when pulled up at 100-1; usually consistent and went into that in form after competitive runs over 2m (good/heavy); however, he .does look on a tough mark and might be vulnerable.

9/1

8/1

Form: 2249-

Last run: 287 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Disappointed in her two handicaps (2m/3m) but she's a winning pointer who showed promise in novice company; unwise to get too negative just yet and she could be interesting if there's money for her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

10th Jun 2025

Good

2m 2f 96y

17:28 Sligo

Iorens

10st 12lb

J: James Smith

T: Turlough O’Connor

Showed promise early in his career; point winner for Sean Doyle and placed over hurdles for Dan Skelton; well exposed in points in recent seasons since return from Britain.

66/1

Form: 141-10 D

Last run: 165 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Very effective front-runner but perhaps went off too fast for his own good when a weakener at Cartmel in July latest (2m1f, good to soft); 6lb above last win and returns to further (all wins at up to 2m2f).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

14:40 Perth

Inferno Sacree

11st 2lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

Front-runner; having his 40th career start but a first over 3m when successful at Taunton and he followed up at Plumpton (3m1f; again good to soft); subsequent defeat, again under Murray Dodd, suggests others in here might be better treated.

10/1

2nd

4

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

16:50 Taunton

Inferno Sacree

11st 2lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

Showed improved form when stepping up to 3m to land his sixth success over hurdles, over C&D (good to soft) in February and followed up at Plumpton (3m1f, good to soft) last month; remains unexposed as a stayer and holds strong claims to land a three-timer.

4/5

1st

2

9th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:30 Plumpton

Inferno Sacree

11st 13lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

Front-runner who has been consistent this season and ended a long losing streak at Taunton (3m, good to soft) 11 days ago; went up 5lb for that but this track also suits him and he remains unexposed as a stayer.

11/4

Form: U25/P6 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Bumper/hurdle winner in Ireland; quiet in two runs for this yard (2m, heavy; 2m4f, soft) but no surprise should he come good again at some point; has dropped 5lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

18th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:22 Lingfield

Santana Plessis

11st 6lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Simon Hodgson

Veteran; last win came in a 2m novice hurdle at Kilbeggan for Gordon Elliott in October 2020; struggled for Christian Williams last year, plummeting in the weights; all hopes pinned on wind surgery working the oracle off a 12-month absence; first start for Simon Hodgson.

33/1

7th

3

18th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:22 Lingfield

Santana Plessis

11st 6lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Simon Hodgson

Veteran; last win came in a 2m novice hurdle at Kilbeggan for Gordon Elliott in October 2020; struggled for Christian Williams last year, plummeting in the weights; all hopes pinned on wind surgery working the oracle off a 12-month absence; first start for Simon Hodgson.

33/1

0

7

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 3

14:40 Taunton

Santana Plessis

10st 10lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

Bumper/hurdle winner in Ireland; quiet in two runs for this yard (2m, heavy; 2m4f, soft) but no surprise should he come good again at some point; has dropped 5lb.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £65.40
Straight Forecast £55.23
Tricast £212.04
Trifecta £442.60

Selections

POSTDATA:

American Sniper

SPOTLIGHT:

Amelia's Dance

The Times:

Just Loose Change

D Express:

Individualiste

TOPSPEED:

Samtara

WEST COUNTRY:

American Sniper

Daily Mail:

American Sniper

Daily Mirror:

American Sniper

The Sun:

American Sniper

The Star:

American Sniper

Daily Record:

American Sniper

RP RATINGS:

Amelia's Dance

Telegraph:

Amelia's Dance

The Guardian:

Amelia's Dance