January 08 / 16.05 Taunton

16.05

Soft

Saturday Meeting 20th January Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4832.11
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
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Saturday Meeting 20th January Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 4P-874 CD BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Cosy winner of this race last year (soft); below best either side of a summer break but there was more promise in her latest fourth here (2m3f, good); primed to go well off much the same mark as 12 months ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

16:50 Wincanton

Sawpit Sienna

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

11yo mare who has not won in over two years and was tailed off at Taunton (2m3f, good) last month; others are preferred.

16/1

10th

10

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

17:10 Taunton

Sawpit Sienna

10st 2lb

J: Miss Clara Brewitt

T: Samuel Drinkwater

A dual course scorer but this veteran mare came in last of five in 2m Lingfield handicap last month; others are preferred.

16/1

5th

6

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:35 Lingfield

Sawpit Sienna

10st 2lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Not lasting out over longer trips this term, so return to 2m makes sense, but it's over five years since she was last able to win outside mares-only company; 6lb out of the weights.

16/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 4-3558

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Has hinted at some ability in bumper company and over hurdles, especially behind a subsequent Listed winner at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in November; expecting better at this level for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

8th May 2024

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

20:10 Fontwell

Selkirk Grace

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Hughie Morrison

Eight-race maiden who was pulled up at Hereford last time but she looks interesting on her close call in a Taunton handicap (2m, soft) in January; has claims if she can bounce back after wind surgery and yard is in decent form; cheekpieces added.

7/1

9th

4

8th May 2024

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

20:10 Fontwell

Selkirk Grace

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Hughie Morrison

Eight-race maiden who was pulled up at Hereford last time but she looks interesting on her close call in a Taunton handicap (2m, soft) in January; has claims if she can bounce back after wind surgery and yard is in decent form; cheekpieces added.

7/1

4

14th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

16:00 Hereford

Selkirk Grace

11st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Hughie Morrison

There was some promise before she went down by only a neck on her handicap debut at Taunton (2m, soft); not a given on pedigree that this longer trip will suit but she's only 4lb higher than last time and probably improving.

4/1

11/2

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 7973-4

Last run: 240 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Two good efforts from the front on last two starts in 2m maiden hurdles, at Stratford and Warwick (both on good to soft); has a big weight to carry on handicap debut and lack of a run since May is not ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

8th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:05 Taunton

Ilary de LEcu

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Two good efforts from the front on last two starts in 2m maiden hurdles, at Stratford and Warwick (both on good to soft); has a big weight to carry on handicap debut and lack of a run since May is not ideal.

11/2

4th

8

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Warwick

Ilary de LEcu

10st 11lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

led, took keen hold and increased tempo after 3rd, ridden when headed before 2 out, kept on until no extra run-in

14/1

Form: 32-666 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Has won a chase (2m2f) and two hurdles (1m7f and 2m6f); won't mind the conditions but well below best in two runs since back from a break and this race looks best left to others; cheekpieces refitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

1st Dec 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

15:20 Leicester

Gaia Vallis

10st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: David Bridgwater

prominent, weakened after 2 out

15/8

3rd

4

1st Dec 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

15:20 Leicester

Gaia Vallis

10st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: David Bridgwater

prominent, weakened after 2 out

15/8

2nd

4

18th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

14:20 Plumpton

Gaia Vallis

10st 6lb

J: Mr Tom Hutsby

T: David Bridgwater

raced in fourth

9/1

Form: 58-4

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Broke duck in 1m AW handicap in October (visored; cheekpieces refitted today); acts on soft and this handicap debut is her most likely hurdles task so far but stamina in question, even on a sharp track like this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Worcester

Opticality

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tim Vaughan

Competitive on the Flat and over hurdles for Tim Vaughan since the autumn but was not at her best on latest appearance 18 days ago and others in this line-up have much stronger claims.

20/1

8

31st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

19:00 Stratford

Opticality

10st 13lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tim Vaughan

Fairly consistent (albeit without winning) on the Flat and over hurdles for Tim Vaughan since the autumn; dropped another 1lb since this month's Ffos Las fourth (2m, good); could have a say in this.

7/1

8

31st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

19:00 Stratford

Opticality

10st 13lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tim Vaughan

Fairly consistent (albeit without winning) on the Flat and over hurdles for Tim Vaughan since the autumn; dropped another 1lb since this month's Ffos Las fourth (2m, good); could have a say in this.

7/1

16/1

Form: 56-546

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Has proved vulnerable over a range of trips from 1m7f to 2m5f since switched to handicaps last April; continues to drop in the weights but not very tempting in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

18:45 Fontwell

Damask

10st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

0-13 over hurdles for Tom Symonds, having signed off with two disappointing runs in the spring, but now 1lb lower than for creditable third of 13 at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) in March; changed hands for £13,000 in May and it will be interesting to see what Dan Skelton can do with her.

3/1

8th

12

27th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

15:40 Hereford

Damask

10st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Tom Symonds

Consistent in handicaps this spring, making the frame for the third consecutive time when close up over C&D (good to soft; handles heavy) 18 days ago; likely to have a say again.

7/1

3rd

13

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:02 Hereford

Damask

10st 5lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Ten-race maiden; made the frame on both starts last month, more recently when third of 14 here (2m5f, soft), but needs to find something extra today; 1lb out of the handicap.

12/1

Form: /3PP-0

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Nothing special about form in novice/Listed hurdles but she's a well-connected mare who showed ability in bumpers two winters ago; no surprise if she turns a major corner now more realistically placed on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th Oct 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

15:30 Hereford

Annie Wicks

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Jumping to her right and looked out of sorts at Southwell in June but was in good form on right-handed tracks beforehand, winning at Taunton (2m5f, soft) and finishing second over C&D (good); back on a clockwise course today and a big player if back on song after her break.

7/2

4

11th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:15 Southwell

Annie Wicks

11st 5lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

jumped right on occasions, prominent, lost position and reminders 13th, dropped to last 14th, lost touch and pulled up 15th

9/2

2nd

9

13th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:35 Hereford

Annie Wicks

10st 4lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Came good over fences at third attempt, with clearcut win from the front at Taunton (2m5f, soft) in March; 8lb rise asks quite a lot of her here but the longer trip might unlock further improvement and she should be fine if the ground stays good.

5/1

Form: /3336-

Last run: 440 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Winning Irish pointer; bits and pieces of handicap hurdle form at about 2m4f for Neil Mulholland but has been off since October 2022 and goes without regular tongue-tie for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

17:17 Newton Abbot

Sevenofus

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Carroll Gray

0-16 under rules (including eight chase runs) but came second over hurdles here (2m5f, good) in April and also ran very well in eventful C&D chase won by Ryder's Rock in May; 5lb wrong today but not out of this if last month's wind op makes any positive difference.

10/1

3rd

6

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:18 Newton Abbot

Sevenofus

10st 12lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Carroll Gray

Twice placed over fences (0-7) and twice runner-up over hurdles this year; latest run wasn't her best (also over hurdles) but she goes on all ground and the form is there to feature.

8/1

3rd

6

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:18 Newton Abbot

Sevenofus

10st 12lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Carroll Gray

Twice placed over fences (0-7) and twice runner-up over hurdles this year; latest run wasn't her best (also over hurdles) but she goes on all ground and the form is there to feature.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 446-P8

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Winning Irish pointer but rules career has yet to get off the ground and she's achieved terribly little in handicaps over hurdles and fences; reverts to hurdles with something to prove in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

4th Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

16:52 Plumpton

Criquette

10st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Billy Aprahamian

took keen hold, held up in rear, went third before 4 out, outpaced before 3 out, no impression before 2 out

4/1

3rd

7

12th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

16:45 Plumpton

Criquette

11st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Billy Aprahamian

took keen hold, held up in rear, headway 4 out, outpaced after 3 out, rallied and went third after 2 out, no extra run-in

20/1

9th

2

8th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:05 Taunton

Criquette

11st 10lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Billy Aprahamian

Winning Irish pointer but rules career has yet to get off the ground and she's achieved terribly little in handicaps over hurdles and fences; reverts to hurdles with something to prove in first-time cheekpieces.

16/1

33/1

Form: P066-6

Last run: 53 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Has had few chances but her two handicap runs over 2m, the latest after wind surgery, suggest she will be out in the cold again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

31st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:25 Leicester

La Referi

10st 5lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Has offered little in her six starts over hurdles thus far, only tenth in 2m Taunton handicap last time; she's hard to make a case for.

50/1

10th

13

8th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:05 Taunton

La Referi

10st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

Has had few chances but her two handicap runs over 2m, the latest after wind surgery, suggest she will be out in the cold again.

33/1

Form: /63-03

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Novice hurdle winner three years ago; hasn't been in much form since returning from an absence in October and although her latest 15l third at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) was better, she may not be in a position to benefit from a much-reduced mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(4)

9th Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

18:50 Pontefract

Triple Nickle

8st 11lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Appreciated returning to the Flat when running quite well for a 50-1 chance at Wolverhampton; still has ground to make up on Forglen.

16/1

4th

8

(1)

19th May 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Triple Nickle

9st 2lb

J: Mikkel Mortensen

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Won off a similar mark on turf (2m) in August, but she's run some ordinary races on the AW since finishing close up at Kempton in January 2024 and recent hurdle efforts raise questions about her current form.

12/1

4th

8

(1)

19th May 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Triple Nickle

9st 2lb

J: Mikkel Mortensen

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Won off a similar mark on turf (2m) in August, but she's run some ordinary races on the AW since finishing close up at Kempton in January 2024 and recent hurdle efforts raise questions about her current form.

12/1

Form: 71-8P7 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Resolute winner of a soft-ground bumper at Fakenham last April; has kept a low profile in two completions over hurdles but she's on a plater's mark and is surely capable of better at this modest level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

15th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

15:45 Fakenham

Birdhouse

10st 4lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Soft-ground C&D bumper winner last Easter but yet to run to a comparable level over hurdles, last month's Market Rasen handicap third in debuted cheekpieces (retained) still comprising a 13l beating; mark unchanged.

7/1

3rd

8

6th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

14:35 Market Rasen

Birdhouse

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

midfield, not fluent 4th, mistake 3 out

14/1

0

9

8th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:05 Taunton

Birdhouse

11st 1lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Resolute winner of a soft-ground bumper at Fakenham last April; has kept a low profile in two completions over hurdles but she's on a plater's mark and is surely capable of better at this modest level.

5/1

Form: 34P-7P

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Maiden who has mostly struggled over hurdles, including in two handicaps for new yard this winter (pulled up at Fakenham 20 days ago).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

18

10th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:08 Exeter

Boudica Warrior

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Joe Tickle

Has not shown a great deal over hurdles or on the Flat since joining current stable last autumn and is now 0-25 overall; 4lb wrong here.

50/1

7th

11

20th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:25 Newton Abbot

Boudica Warrior

10st 2lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

prominent, pressed leader 4th, led narrowly 3 out

100/1

8th

9

(2)

14th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 201y

Class 6

17:00 Salisbury

Boudica Warrior

9st 0lb

J: Elisha Whittington

T: Joe Tickle

23-race maiden; pulled up over hurdles before finishing third of the five runners in a weak 1m novice for fillies at Bath; that looks dubious form.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £22.90
Straight Forecast £21.63
Tricast £150.89
Trifecta £116.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Sawpit Sienna

The Guardian:

Ilary de L'Ecu

The Times:

Selkirk Grace

WEST COUNTRY:

Opticality

Daily Mail:

Ilary de L'Ecu

Daily Record:

Ilary de L'Ecu

RP RATINGS:

Sawpit Sienna

POSTDATA:

Sawpit Sienna

Telegraph:

Sawpit Sienna

D Express:

Sawpit Sienna

Daily Mirror:

Sawpit Sienna

The Sun:

Sawpit Sienna

The Star:

Sawpit Sienna