December 30 / 13.35 Taunton

13.35

Good To Soft

Ferne Equine Rehab Centre Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £6680.46
  • 2m 7f 3y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
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Ferne Equine Rehab Centre Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 6224-2 BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
0-4 over fences but lost out only by a nose on consecutive outings in the spring (2m1f/2m4f) and again ran well when second on seasonal debut at Market Rasen (2m3f, soft) this month; major player if suited by today's step up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

18:50 Stratford

Hard Frost

11st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Below par in last two completed starts, then early faller latest; won off just 1lb lower at Taunton (2m7f) in December and a return to that form would put him in the picture.

5/1

2nd

2

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

18:50 Stratford

Hard Frost

11st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

pressed leader, led last (usual 2 out), headed home straight, kept on but no match for winner

5/1

7

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 5f 150y

Class 5

19:35 Taunton

Hard Frost

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Just lasted home in a 2m7f chase on good to soft here in December when only 1lb lower; nowhere near as good since then but returning here will be no bad thing (also finished fourth in this 12 months ago).

5/1

7/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: P3-231

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Placed in first three chases before keeping on well to open account at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) this month; recent 3lb rise looks manageable and he could have untapped potential over today's longer trip; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

30th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:40 Warwick

Miltiades

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Henry Daly

2m4f chase winner (soft) who has gone close when on this mark; returned from a break to equal his career-best form over C&D latest; drops 1lb; may be able to eke out a bit more; player.

11/4

3rd

7

6th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Warwick

Miltiades

11st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Henry Daly

Won a novices' handicap chase at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) in December; went close in his follow-up bid at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) later that month but his form slumped at Leicester in January; has bit to prove again after that and others are preferred.

16/1

3rd

7

6th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Warwick

Miltiades

11st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Henry Daly

Won a novices' handicap chase at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) in December; went close in his follow-up bid at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) later that month but his form slumped at Leicester in January; has bit to prove again after that and others are preferred.

16/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 033-22

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Placed in all four chases, most recently when second of 12 at Hereford (2m5f, good) last month; nudged up only 1lb for that but will have something to prove if the ground turns soft here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

Ballinoulart

11st 0lb

J: Richard Upton

T: David Bridgwater

0-22 in points and now 0-18 under rules (0-14 over fences) after finishing a tailed-off runner-up in a novice hurdle at Newton Abbot.

100/1

2nd

4

23rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

18:45 Newton Abbot

Ballinoulart

11st 1lb

J: Richard Upton

T: David Bridgwater

0-22 in points and 0-17 under rules; placed a few times off lowly marks in handicap chases in 2023/24 and also in points this year but another minor role is probably his best hope.

33/1

Form: 3-4696 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Now 13lb lower than when placed in good-ground hurdle in the spring but was soundly beaten in two chases this autumn (2m7f/3m1f) and has a lot more to prove than some of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

14th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

Barrowmount

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Seamus Mullins

Ran quite well from the front when fourth at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) in December but this regressive 8yo is yet to add to his maiden hurdle win in spring 2021 and is not the percentage call; 1lb out of the handicap.

12/1

4th

9

30th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

13:35 Taunton

Barrowmount

10st 3lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Seamus Mullins

Now 13lb lower than when placed in good-ground hurdle in the spring but was soundly beaten in two chases this autumn (2m7f/3m1f) and has a lot more to prove than some of these.

20/1

Form: 3-U243

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
0-13 over fences and has become somewhat frustrating but gave good account when third over C&D (good) last month and is another 2lb lower today; raced mainly on good/good to soft ground but has won on heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

25th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Warwick

Furkash

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Bumped into revitalised opponent when second at Plumpton (3m1f, good) this month and remains on a workable mark but he's now 0-17 over fences and others have more potential; tongue-tie added.

11/2

9th

7

25th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Warwick

Furkash

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Bumped into revitalised opponent when second at Plumpton (3m1f, good) this month and remains on a workable mark but he's now 0-17 over fences and others have more potential; tongue-tie added.

11/2

2nd

3

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 152y

Class 5

15:35 Plumpton

Furkash

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

led, jumped right on occasions, mistake 1st, joined 3rd, raced in second when headed 4 out, kept on but no match for winner

13/2

Form: 745P-P

Last run: 235 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Wide-margin Irish point winner in spring 2022 and shaped with significant promise in two 2m maiden hurdles last season; pulled up when upped to staying trips for two handicap hurdles in the spring and now has questions to answer but could still have a good future over fences; cheekpieces removed after one use; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 4

17:30 Cartmel

Moodofthemoment

10st 13lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: David Thompson

Has won four chases and latest was at Newcastle in October (2m4f, good); well handicapped on that form but he's been disappointing since and was pulled up at Perth two weeks ago.

16/1

3

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 4

15:18 Perth

Moodofthemoment

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: David Thompson

Has won four chases, all over this trip, the latest at Newcastle in October (good); fair third at Hexham last time (2m4f, good); a possible.

11/2

3rd

3

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

16:13 Hexham

Moodofthemoment

11st 11lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: David Thompson

Four chase wins, latest at Newcastle last October (2m4f, good); not fared as well since, but now back on last winning mark.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4-P1P1 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Has form-figures of P1P1 since switched to chasing in spring, with the latter win gained at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) last month; further progress is possible but he's evidently not one to rely upon heavily, and today's forecast rain may not be in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

14:45 Haydock

Safe Destination

10st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Scored at Chepstow (3m2f) in October but he turned in a rare poor effort when pulled up in 3m5f Fakenham handicap chase in December; cheekpieces are reached for now and he's the sort to bounce back.

8/1

2nd

6

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Kempton

Safe Destination

10st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Scored by 4l in conditional jockeys' race at Chepstow (3m2f, good to firm) last Sunday, taking chase record to 6-16; escapes a penalty and commands respect.

7/4

8

12th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

13:32 Chepstow

Safe Destination

11st 4lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

5-15 over fences; looked as good as ever when placed at Perth (3m, good) last month, after a break, and was runner-up on his only visit to Chepstow; likely contender.

11/2

Form: 77P

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Maiden pointer who showed nothing more than tiny glimmers of promise in three maiden/novice hurdles this autumn (2m-2m3f); upped in trip for today's chase/handicap debut; considered only if lively in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

7th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

16:10 Exeter

Hellstopatthetop

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Richenda Ford

0-4 in points and 0-14 under rules (0-9 chasing); out of form late last year and out of the handicap this afternoon.

50/1

6

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

14:05 Ffos Las

Hellstopatthetop

10st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

0-6 over fences when trained by Keiran Burke and absent since modest third in first-time blinkers (now removed) at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) last September; 7lb lower for this stable debut but others look safer.

12/1

3rd

4

24th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

13:55 Fontwell

Hellstopatthetop

10st 12lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Keiran Burke

didn't always jump with fluency, led, awkward jump 4th, joined 6th, went clear again 8th, headed 13th, soon niggled along

8/1

Form: V46P67

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Hurdle winner in Ireland in November 2021 but very disappointing for this stable since; soundly beaten in all three chases this autumn (2m1f-2m5f) and 5lb wrong here; difficult to enthuse over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 5

14:40 Plumpton

Noahs Light

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

Won off a lowly mark at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) in summer 2024, but his form this spring was not particularly inspiring and he's 8lb out of the weights on this first appearance in five months.

20/1

5th

9

25th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:43 Fontwell

Noahs Light

10st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Richenda Ford

Won at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) last summer and ended last season with two fairly respectable runs, latterly when sixth in C&D race won by Millies Mite one month ago, but is out of the weights again today.

20/1

5th

9

25th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:43 Fontwell

Noahs Light

10st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Richenda Ford

Won at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) last summer and ended last season with two fairly respectable runs, latterly when sixth in C&D race won by Millies Mite one month ago, but is out of the weights again today.

20/1

Non-runners

Hokelami, Rolling Clouds

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.00
Straight Forecast £37.81
Tricast £128.56
Trifecta £128.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Hard Frost

WEST COUNTRY:

Safe Destination

SPOTLIGHT:

Miltiades

The Times:

Hokelami

Telegraph:

Safe Destination

Daily Mirror:

Safe Destination

The Star:

Safe Destination

POSTDATA:

Hard Frost

The Guardian:

Hard Frost

Daily Mail:

Hard Frost

Daily Record:

Hard Frost

D Express:

Miltiades

The Sun:

Miltiades