January 08 / 15.30 Taunton

15.30

Soft

Geoffrey Bosley “Tally Ho” Open Hunters’ Chase

  • Prize money: £3387.27
  • 2m 5f 150y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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Geoffrey Bosley “Tally Ho” Open Hunters’ Chase

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hunter Chase

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20
  • Place: £1.20

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
3-3 in points last year, with all the wins gained on good ground at Larkhill; faces higher-calibre opposition on today's hunter chase debut but is reportedly held in high regard; interesting to see how she fares.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:00 Newton Abbot

Regatta De Blanc

11st 7lb

J: Mr Charlie Marshall

T: Will Biddick

Made it 6-7 in points with recent short-priced wins over 3m and 4m, and she's won hunter chases at Taunton and Cheltenham; appeals as the main danger to Golden Son.

7/4

5th

4

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

17:16 Newbury

Regatta De Blanc

11st 13lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Will Biddick

Bang in form when runner-up in this two years ago and later that year finished second in a 3m handicap chase at Ascot for Paul Nicholls; however, signed off for him on a downer and December's point run was none too promising; revival needed in the new cheekpieces.

20/1

1

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

16:20 Wincanton

Regatta De Blanc

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Promising pointer/hunter chaser last term and ran really well when second on handicap chase debut at Ascot (3m, good) in November; hasn't kicked on and was pulled up at Windsor (3m4f, soft) last time, but she could bounce back with a big run now back on better ground and back down in trip.

4/1

50/1

  • Place: £11.70

Form: 7V2488 D

Last run: 85 days

W: 12st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Thorough stayer with four chase wins on his CV; left David Pipe after heavy defeat in low-grade handicap hurdle in October and faces a tough assignment on stable/hunter chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:13 Exeter

DJango

12st 2lb

J: Mr Lucas Murphy

T: Miss V Collins

Teenager who has gone over two years since his latest win and has been out of form this season (three runs); revival needed.

50/1

5

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Warwick

DJango

12st 2lb

J: Mr Frederick Philipson-Stow

T: Miss V Collins

Won this race in 2024 (soft ground) but never really got going last season and was very disappointing favourite in a point last month, after a layoff; now a teenager and needs to prove he still has what it takes.

20/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: U12-PP D

Last run: 26 days

W: 12st 6lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won soft-ground hunter chases at Hereford (2m5f) and Fakenham (3m) in 2023 before very creditable second over the big Aintree fences in April; pulled up in two handicaps towards end of last year and comes here with a bit to prove but might be boosted by the refitted cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Bennys King

12st 0lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Inconsistency has crept into this 14yo's game but confidence should be buoyed by his win at Leicester in February and he loves it around here, having finished second in the last two editions of this race; probably vulnerable for win purposes but has place aspirations for sure; races prominently.

14/1

11th

5

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Bennys King

12st 0lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Inconsistency has crept into this 14yo's game but confidence should be buoyed by his win at Leicester in February and he loves it around here, having finished second in the last two editions of this race; probably vulnerable for win purposes but has place aspirations for sure; races prominently.

14/1

1st

2

25th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

16:45 Leicester

Bennys King

12st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

14yo who is no longer the force of old and has become unreliable; that said, he won this race on heavy ground a year ago and proved he retains significant ability when keeping on gamely for second in refitted cheekpieces at Warwick (3m, good to soft) last month.

7/1

Form: 4/4F7-

Last run: 321 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful hurdler/chaser when trained by Dan Skelton and came good for current connection in open point at Upcott Cross (good to soft) last May; turned over at short odds in three-runner race there three weeks later, though, and not seen again since; others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

31st Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

16:30 Newton Abbot

Lakota Warrior

11st 6lb

J: David Noonan

T: D Summersby

in touch with leaders, lost ground before 4th, soon in rear, not fluent 8th

7/1

4

1st Feb 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

16:15 Wincanton

Lakota Warrior

12st 2lb

J: Mr Darren Edwards

T: D Summersby

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser when trained by Dan Skelton; won a point last year and it was a useful hunter chase in which he was beaten only 11l at Taunton recently; may need more here but not dismissed.

20/1

Form: 231-21 D

Last run: 220 days

W: 12st 6lb

14 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Very long in the tooth now but was still a potent force in hunter chases last year, winning twice and rallying for very creditable third at the Cheltenham Festival; made quite heavy weather of winning a point in November but is a major player here; versatile regarding trip/ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

31st May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

18:35 Stratford

Shantou Flyer

11st 13lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: S Loxton

Grand old stager who has run well at several Cheltenham Festivals; not as good as he was and beaten 20l in the big one this March, but he won this 12 months ago and defends on the back of two point wins.

5/2

6th

10

15th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:10 Cheltenham

Shantou Flyer

12st 0lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: S Loxton

Festival regular having made the frame in the Ultima, a Kim Muir and three editions of this race (beaten 3l by Premier Magic 12 months ago); warmed up for another crack with his sixth point win 12 days ago; however, now a 14yo, his chance of getting his hands on the treasured trophy has surely passed.

33/1

5th

5

8th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 5f 150y

Class 5

15:30 Taunton

Shantou Flyer

12st 6lb

J: Miss Natalie Parker

T: S Loxton

raced in second, pressed leader from 3rd

9/4

Form: /0716- D

Last run: 330 days

W: 12st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Very useful handicapper chaser in his prime but has become inconsistent; seemingly perked up by first-time cheekpieces when winning at Doncaster (3m, good) just over a year ago but absent since poor run last February and goes without headgear on this hunter chase debut; hard to predict.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

26

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Senior Citizen

12st 0lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Alan Hill

Placed in a Grand Sefton and a Topham for Alan King so these fences hold no fears; returned from a lengthy break to win a February point by 15l and he's had wind surgery since; this veteran could have a part to play.

50/1

26

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Senior Citizen

12st 0lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Alan Hill

Placed in a Grand Sefton and a Topham for Alan King so these fences hold no fears; returned from a lengthy break to win a February point by 15l and he's had wind surgery since; this veteran could have a part to play.

50/1

3rd

6

2nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:30 Ludlow

Senior Citizen

11st 12lb

J: Mr Harry Myddelton

T: Alan King

Well below par in his last two runs (hunter chase latest) with and without the cheekpieces that triggered a return to winning ways in a 3m handicap at Doncaster over Christmas (good); not the easiest to predict and ideally wants drier ground, but too talented to rule out.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: -PP12P

Last run: 69 days

W: 12st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won low-grade handicap chase on debut for Robbie Llewellyn in September but left that stable after a poor run the following month and made low-key debut for new yard in a point last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

20:50 Stratford

Great DAnge

10st 10lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alexander Gibbons

Has four wins over fences but yet to score in this sphere; has shown nothing in his three runs for current yard.

50/1

3

29th Sep 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:41 Newton Abbot

Great DAnge

11st 4lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alexander Gibbons

Won over fences here (3m2f, good) for Barry Brennan last summer and has posted a couple of good efforts in that sphere this season; reverts to hurdling off lower mark for new stable here; could have a say.

5/1

2

15th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Worcester

Great DAnge

11st 11lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alexander Gibbons

Won over fences for Barry Brennan last summer and has posted a couple of good efforts in that sphere this season; reverts to hurdling off lower mark for new stable here; could have a say.

12/1

Form: 64-341

Last run: 206 days

W: 12st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Useful handicapper who was pushed out to win by 8l at Aintree (2m4f, good) on latest outing last June; will be dangerous if in similar form here but this hunter chase debut comes after a 206-day absence and the slower ground is probably not ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

The Big Lense

11st 12lb

J: Mr Rupert Stearn

T: Mrs J Owen

Undefeated in four small-field 3m open points (good/good to firm), the successes around the sharp left-handers at Higham and Fakenham particularly relevant in today's context; can lead but needn't, and won't want for experience of regulation fences (24 chase starts); player.

2/1

2nd

6

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

The Big Lense

11st 12lb

J: Mr Rupert Stearn

T: Mrs J Owen

Undefeated in four small-field 3m open points (good/good to firm), the successes around the sharp left-handers at Higham and Fakenham particularly relevant in today's context; can lead but needn't, and won't want for experience of regulation fences (24 chase starts); player.

2/1

11th

13

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

15:15 Market Rasen

The Big Lense

11st 3lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: James Owen

Better over fences than hurdles so encouraging to see him win over the smaller obstacles last month before chasing home a hot Bowen-trained favourite over C&D two weeks ago; should go well despite the 3lb rise.

33/1

Form: 3-1163 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Useful handicapper, best known for his exploits as a summer jumper at Uttoxeter; didn't run badly before tiring on heavy ground at Fakenham last month and conditions are unlikely to be as testing here; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 3

16:43 Cartmel

Yccs Portocervo

12st 0lb

J: Miss Ellie Holder

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Potentially well handicapped but had been hunter chasing before pulling up on his return to handicaps at Market Rasen.

12/1

4

6th Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Yccs Portocervo

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

C&D winner last summer off 4lb higher and ran to a fair level when runner-up in a hunter chase in May; likely to run well.

11/2

1

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

16:48 Newton Abbot

Yccs Portocervo

12st 8lb

J: Miss Ellie Holder

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Won this last season on soft ground; this year's two non-completions came over a trip too short and over the National fences at Aintree; got back on track with a respectable fourth at Ludlow; should go well.

7/4

Form: 4523-2 C

Last run: 222 days

W: 11st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Nine-time winner under rules but was not really firing on all cylinders in hunter chases last year and all his best form was shown good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

8th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 5f 150y

Class 5

15:30 Taunton

Diligent

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Sprake

T: Mary Sanderson

in touch with leaders, lost ground before 2nd, in rear before 6th

20/1

2nd

2

31st May 2023

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

16:30 Newton Abbot

Diligent

12st 0lb

J: Mr Charlie Sprake

T: Mary Sanderson

jumped right on occasions, led, headed 4 out, ridden and no impression from 2 out

15/8

4

24th Apr 2023

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

20:55 Kempton

Diligent

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Sprake

T: Mary Sanderson

Multiple winner over jumps in 2021 and 2022; best effort in hunter chases this year when second to notable rival at Wincanton (2m4f, good); behind Gaboriot at Ludlow last time and now goes without usual hood.

3/1

Form: P7/4-1 D

Last run: 224 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
5-7 in points and opened her rules account with 27l win in maiden hunter chase at Cartmel (2m5f, good) last May; tackles much stronger opposition here, though, and ran poorly when favourite for Larkhill point last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:37 Warwick

Walkin Out

11st 7lb

J: Miss Anna Johnston

T: L Jefford

Landed maiden hunter chase at Cartmel in May 2023 and a prolific winner in points with 12 wins in that sphere; beat two rivals in a point at Stafford Cross 13 days ago and she should go close.

4/5

2nd

5

30th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 205y

Class 4

20:10 Stratford

Walkin Out

10st 11lb

J: Miss Anna Johnston

T: L Jefford

Cartmel maiden hunter winner two years ago at this trip, and largely irresistible in points since (has won last six, all under Anna Johnston); small bit to find with Captain Tommy on their March Ludlow clash, but in better heart than that one now and recent Cheltenham third was a tidy run.

9/4

2nd

5

30th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 205y

Class 4

20:10 Stratford

Walkin Out

10st 11lb

J: Miss Anna Johnston

T: L Jefford

Cartmel maiden hunter winner two years ago at this trip, and largely irresistible in points since (has won last six, all under Anna Johnston); small bit to find with Captain Tommy on their March Ludlow clash, but in better heart than that one now and recent Cheltenham third was a tidy run.

9/4

Non-runners

Shang Tang

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £86.00
Straight Forecast £115.57
Trifecta £804.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Shantou Flyer

WEST COUNTRY:

Regatta De Blanc

POSTDATA:

Yccs Portocervo

TOPSPEED:

Diligent

The Times:

Regatta De Blanc

Telegraph:

Regatta De Blanc

The Star:

Regatta De Blanc

RP RATINGS:

Shantou Flyer

The Guardian:

Shantou Flyer

Daily Mail:

Shantou Flyer

D Express:

Shantou Flyer

Daily Mirror:

Shantou Flyer

The Sun:

Shantou Flyer

Daily Record:

Shantou Flyer