December 30 / 13.00 Taunton

13.00

Good To Soft

Luke Sergeant Christmas 2023 Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4955.32
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
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Luke Sergeant Christmas 2023 Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

10/11 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1P-4 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Impressed on his bumper debut here but then pulled hard in the Grade 2 at Aintree and again he lacked concentration when fourth at Newbury (hurdling debut); some quirks need ironing out but he has ability.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

27th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 75y

Class 2

18:12 Newton Abbot

Centara

11st 12lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Paul Nicholls

Free-going front-runner who won four times over C&D early last season including this race; now 4lb lower than for his last success but he's struggled since returning from a break in May and was a long way behind Breaking Cover at Stratford last time; has some questions to answer and he needs to get back on track.

7/1

5th

1

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 2

15:58 Stratford

Centara

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Free-going front-runner who won five 2m chases in early part of last season; comfortably reeled in on both outings since returning from a break this spring, though, and comes here with a point to prove.

5/1

4th

2

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:30 Newton Abbot

Centara

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Highly progressive over fences in the first half of last season, winning here four times (2m, good to soft/good); 2m5f here appeared to stretch him last month following some time off; has a lower mark to work with back over hurdles and he could play a leading role back down in trip.

7/2

8/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 6

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in two maiden points before £28,000 sale; 80-1 with tongue tied when sixth of 13 in novice at Kempton (2m5f, good) last month; should improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Thunder N Lightnin

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

led, raced in second when headed 3rd, no chance with winner from 2 out

7/4

5/2

  • Place: £1.90

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £60,000 after finishing second in a decent-looking Irish point in March; makes rules debut with his yard going well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Long Draw

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Made very good progress last season, winning twice over 3m on New course here (good to soft/good); ended up with too much to do when finishing well for close third at Haydock (3m, good) in May and probably still has more improvement to come.

6/1

3rd

3

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Long Draw

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Made very good progress last season and had three of today's rivals behind when coming from off the pace for driven-out success at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month; 6lb higher today but could still have more to offer.

4/1

Form: 67

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beat one home in a Ffos Las bumper and the same again in a Chepstow maiden; related to winners but looks to need more time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

8th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Uttoxeter

Native Moon

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Improved for staying trips on good ground as a hurdler, finishing a good second at Exeter and going one better at Ascot (both about 2m7f) in March; had more on his plate behind a progressive one at Worcester in May but even so he wasn't quite at his best; should have potential now chasing.

7/1

1

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:57 Worcester

Native Moon

11st 11lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Has form figures of 23421 since joining Jeremy Scott and he justified favouritism with a comfortable success at Ascot (2m7f, good) in March; up 5lb but his confidence should be boosted after that breakthrough win and he's open to more progress; respected.

15/8

1

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:57 Worcester

Native Moon

11st 11lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Has form figures of 23421 since joining Jeremy Scott and he justified favouritism with a comfortable success at Ascot (2m7f, good) in March; up 5lb but his confidence should be boosted after that breakthrough win and he's open to more progress; respected.

15/8

Form: P6

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran okay from the front here last month until weakening after a late mistake (not his first); perhaps one for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

7th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

16:20 Newton Abbot

Outside Adesa

10st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Kayley Woollacott

prominent, bad mistake and lost ground quickly 3 out

10/1

8th

10

7th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

16:20 Newton Abbot

Outside Adesa

10st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Kayley Woollacott

prominent, bad mistake and lost ground quickly 3 out, weakened 2 out

10/1

5

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

14:34 Newton Abbot

Outside Adesa

11st 6lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

in touch with leaders, lost ground after 5th

10/1

Form: 34-5U

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in two Huntingdon bumpers towards end of last season; shaped with promise despite a heavy defeat at Ludlow and then departed midrace at Hereford; just a suspicion that handicaps will see him in the best light.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:42 Fontwell

Mersey Street

10st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won at Sedgefield (2m3f, good to soft) in February and was runner-up on his return visit over 2m5f two weeks later; looks interesting on that form but he needs to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Carlisle in March.

12/1

7th

13

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

16:27 Carlisle

Mersey Street

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Sound performances (won then good second) at Sedgefield last month, while leaving the impression this return to a right-handed track will prove ideal; may still have more to offer over fences; in the mix.

10/1

2nd

3

19th Feb 2026

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:17 Sedgefield

Mersey Street

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Decisive winner over 2m3f here last time (good to soft); this longer trip will suit (has won over 3m1f) and should go well despite 6lb rise.

13/8

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
27,000euros 3yo; fourth foal; half-brother to 2m6f hurdle winner Townhill Penny; dam unraced half-sister to bumper/high-class 3m1f chase winner/Grand National second Pleasant Company; more than likely best watched on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

19th Feb 2026

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

13:41 Huntingdon

Owl Of Athens

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Won by 8l over hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) last January and on that evidence this 4lb higher mark shouldn't be beyond him; however, he's been well beaten this season on his first three chase starts.

7/1

Form:

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
80-1 when completely tailed off in a Ludlow bumper a month ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

15:08 Newton Abbot

Miss Popalong

10st 10lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Low-mileage mare who advanced her form when second of seven in 3m Ffos Las handicap 43 days ago; she can make her presence felt despite taking a 3lb weights rise.

4/1

4

22nd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:40 Ffos Las

Miss Popalong

10st 9lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Back from a break of 151 days to finish an 11l third over Exeter's 2m7f (good to firm), where she looked threatening before flattening out late on; had another 60 days away since then but looks capable of winning something like this.

11/4

Form: 7

Last run: 227 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
£1,400 3yo; finished tailed off in a good-ground bumper at Newton Abbot when trained by Brian Barr.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 5-226F

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in an Irish bumper for Peter Fahey; well-held sixth on stable/hurdles debut at Wincanton and was on the retreat when falling at Kempton; others have achieved more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

15:07 Wincanton

Perfect Nelson

11st 12lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Unplaced all five hurdling starts but last month's 36l defeat at Taunton (2m3f) came on heavy ground and after a 659-day absence; no surprise if he gets closer to the target here.

16/1

8th

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:15 Taunton

Perfect Nelson

11st 11lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Runner-up in Irish bumpers (good/yielding) but failed to make an impact in four hurdle starts for this yard in the 2023-24 season, including when 28-1 for soft-ground C&D handicap debut; still has time on his side but would need to see market support to consider after 659 days off.

16/1

6th

8

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

18:25 Taunton

Perfect Nelson

11st 6lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Placed in an Irish bumper; has little to boast about in Britain and trailed Centara by some 20l over C&D when last seen in December; doesn't look on a good mark for handicap debut.

20/1

Form: 6-0P

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Only sixth in his bumper and has shown no benefit for wind surgery with his struggles continuing over hurdles; well bred and still early days, but now has a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

26th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

15:37 Perth

Bingo Little

11st 6lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Ryan Potter

Didn't show much for Ben Pauling last season and no better in handicaps for current yard; cheekpieces now added.

20/1

13th

14

18th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:55 Worcester

Bingo Little

11st 1lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Ryan Potter

Modest form in four novice/maiden hurdles for Ben Pauling last season; beaten near 17l on handicap/stable debut (2m, soft) on this month's reappearance; needs to step up considerably for this much longer trip.

20/1

6th

5

9th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

19:05 Uttoxeter

Bingo Little

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Ryan Potter

Did not show a great deal in four novice/maiden hurdles for Ben Pauling last season and was sold for £3,000 in May; could be considered only if lively in the betting before this stable/handicap debut.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 06

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Easy winner of a maiden point (2m4f, good to soft) in April but it's been a very underwhelming start under rules (bumper/novice); reservations for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

8th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

15:05 Fontwell

Guivinec

11st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

never going well, towards rear, mistake and reminders 5th, dropped to last 10th, ridden with one circuit to go, lost touch 14th, pulled up before 3 out

9/2

4th

7

25th Jun 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Guivinec

10st 13lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

2m4f point winner; moderate form under rules but took a step in the right direction when a staying-on third at Fontwell (2m3f) on April's chase debut; failed to improve on that when third again back there in May but has since been given wind surgery; likely to be suited by this longer trip and he remains capable of better.

100/30

3rd

5

16th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:10 Fontwell

Guivinec

10st 9lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

prominent, outpaced before 3 out, kept on run-in

11/4

Form: 6

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
25-1 when sixth of seven runners in a soft-ground bumper at Sandown; hard to draw too many conclusions from that but best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:23 Newton Abbot

Super Sabre Sam

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

Dual hurdle winner who hit a personal best with his last success at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in May; 6lb higher on his return but he's a brother to a useful chaser and needs a close look on this switch to fences.

7/2

5

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:23 Newton Abbot

Super Sabre Sam

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

Dual hurdle winner who hit a personal best with his last success at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in May; 6lb higher on his return but he's a brother to a useful chaser and needs a close look on this switch to fences.

7/2

1st

1

15th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

19:10 Fontwell

Super Sabre Sam

11st 12lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Neil Mulholland

Won his maiden here over 2m3f on soft; hasn't look on that good a mark in handicaps but was beaten under 5l over C&D last time in first-time cheekpieces; each-way claims.

4/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won her fourth race on the Flat, coming well clear in a 1m6f Saint-Cloud claimer in June 2022; not seen since and would need to see market confidence ahead of his belated return and hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

16th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Worcester

Nila

10st 11lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Absent for 577 days after winning 1m6f claimer on the Flat in France in June 2022 then fell at first flight on stable/hurdle debut in December; back from another layoff with tongue-tie fitted; may yet have a future over hurdles but there's a lot to take on trust.

20/1

0

14

30th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:00 Taunton

Nila

10st 7lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

towards rear, fell 1st

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.10
Straight Forecast £5.99
Trifecta £27.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Centara

POSTDATA:

Nila

D Express:

Long Draw

RP RATINGS:

Thunder N Lightnin

WEST COUNTRY:

Centara

The Times:

Centara

Telegraph:

Centara

The Guardian:

Centara

Daily Mirror:

Centara

The Sun:

Centara

The Star:

Centara

Daily Record:

Centara

Daily Mail:

Nila