February 20 / 14.40 Taunton

14.40

Heavy

Royal Bath & West Of England Society Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4955.32
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
RTV
View Course
Royal Bath & West Of England Society Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1063 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
The Chepstow maiden (2m3f) in which he finished third was an ordinary race and this 6yo hasn't progressed from winning his bumper; perhaps this is his trip for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Doyen Quest

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Useful novice chaser whose form features second-place finishes in 3m Grade 2 events at Sandown and Windsor; came up rather short in Grade 1 at Aintree last time but looks one of the main contenders returned to this level.

15/8

4th

2

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Doyen Quest

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Tends to lead; scored at 1-50 on his chase debut at Warwick in May and impressed when winning by 10l at Exeter (3m, also good) in November; put in his place by Salver on last two starts (good to soft/soft) but comes here fresh having skipped Cheltenham and any drying of the ground would be in his favour; could get them all at it.

14/1

2nd

3

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 1

13:20 Windsor

Doyen Quest

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Has won on soft but seems ideally suited by faster ground; record of 2-5 since switched to chasing includes a Class 2 win at Exeter (3m) on penultimate start; not disgraced at Sandown latest but was beaten 12l by Salver; 5lb pull looks insufficient in the rematch.

11/2

OUR TIP

9/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: P2

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
1m4f AW winner at an ordinary level; saddle slipped on hurdling debut and he then ran surprisingly well to finish runner-up at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft; 150-1); that run entitles him to a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

14:15 Chepstow

Cornish Storm

11st 7lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Zoe Hawkins

Won back-to-back handicaps at Taunton (2m3f, good) and Warwick (2m, heavy) during the winter but he flopped at Newbury in final run for Stuart Kittow; new headgear is now tried and he has a bit to prove on first run for new trainer.

16/1

5th

4

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

15:00 Newbury

Cornish Storm

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Stuart Kittow

2-2 since the cheekpieces went on, winning narrowly at Taunton (2m3f, good) but easier when making all at Warwick (2m, heavy); a collective 9lb rise demands more but should give himself every chance under a positive ride.

11/2

1st

3

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Warwick

Cornish Storm

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Stuart Kittow

Just held on to score in first-time cheekpieces at Taunton (2m3f, good) in December and now 2-11 over hurdles; only 3lb higher here but the slower ground is probably not in his favour.

5/1

10/11

  • Place: £1.10

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
1m4f soft-ground winner for Richard Fahey and signed off for that yard with two places in handicaps (one on heavy; gelded since); conditions won't faze him on his hurdling debut and he still holds the Triumph entry; joined a top yard for 215,000gns.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(9)

2nd Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Move

10st 12lb

J: Mr Liam McGaffin

T: Christopher Kellett

Flat (1m4f) and hurdle winner (1m7f), but he's been out of sorts under both codes in seven runs for his current yard; has lots to prove and he needs a major revival back up in trip; first-time blinkers.

33/1

9th

2

(3)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Move

9st 12lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Christopher Kellett

Flat (1m4f) and hurdle winner (1m7f) but he's been out of sorts under both codes in six runs for his current yard; has lots to prove and he needs a major revival back on the Flat; equipment removed.

25/1

5

(5)

19th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

20:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Move

9st 11lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Christopher Kellett

Won a 1m4f handicap for Richard Fahey in July 2023 and was subsequently sold for 215,000gns to go jumping; won a Wincanton handicap hurdle for Paul Nicholls last December, but hasn't achieved anything of note for this yard; makes AW debut.

33/1

Form: 7-4

Last run: 288 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished last in his bumper and was a never-dangerous fourth (beaten 16l) on his switch to hurdling at Worcester last May; related to winners and can no doubt raise his game at some point.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

17:05 Haydock

Solar System

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Four wins (2m1f-2m5f) over hurdles; made an encouraging start over fences when 3l third of six at Southwell (3m, soft) last month; solid claims if building on that run with cheekpieces now fitted.

8/1

3rd

1

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:45 Southwell

Solar System

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Record of 51211 in Class 4 handicap hurdles; has failed to fire in a couple of Class 3 events this term but looks interesting back down in grade on chase debut.

7/2

15th

11

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 123y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

Solar System

11st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Three wins from off the pace last season (2m3f-2m5f, good to soft/soft); managed only fifth on last month's return at Haydock (3m, good to soft) but was quite badly hampered by a mid-race faller and made good headway from the rear on the final circuit; might come on for the run; interesting.

8/1

Form: 327-08 BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Given the significant promise he displayed in bumpers it's been a surprisingly quiet start over hurdles and it was his first time on soft ground when beaten 16l over C&D last month; some concerns at the minute.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Cawthorne Banker

10st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won twice in the space of three starts last year but has soon returned to the doldrums; can't be supported with any confidence.

25/1

4

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:33 Market Rasen

Cawthorne Banker

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Needed considerable help from the handicapper before winning twice last year and has looked badly out of sorts on both appearances this year; usual cheekpieces (left off last time) are refitted; can't be supported with any confidence.

10/1

10th

6

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Wetherby

Cawthorne Banker

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Disappointing on last two starts but he won twice in the second half of last year (2m, good to soft/good) and the fact his stable is enjoying a very productive month suggests he is well worth a second look.

13/2

Form: 0P6

Last run: 83 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; hard to make a case on her initial hurdling efforts and hasn't looked straightforward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

25th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

13:45 Ludlow

Bob O Rhino

11st 11lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Katy Price

prominent, led 1st, not fluent 4th, headed before 4 out, soon weakened

11/4

Form: 3688

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Came last in two bumpers and he's finished well behind in both his hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

15:20 Leicester

Palawan Du Mazet

11st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Alan Jones

First past the post in the same novice handicap at Taunton (2m2f, soft/heavy) in two of his three chase attempts, last time comfortably making amends for being disqualified a year earlier (banned substance found in sample); may have more to offer over fences; shortlisted.

6/4

1st

7

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

16:15 Taunton

Palawan Du Mazet

10st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Alan Jones

Won this race readily (soft ground) on chasing debut at year ago, only to be disqualified after testing positive for a banned substance; made low-key reappearance on good ground here in December but still features prominently in calculations.

9/4

Form: 7420

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; fourth in a bumper before finishing runner-up in a C&D maiden (on soft) for which Cawthorne Banker was the disappointing favourite; was entitled to run better than he did at Huntingdon but now goes in a hood and has each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Worcester

Walkingoneggshells

12st 0lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Archie Watson

Won Irish point in May 2023; yet to win under rules and has made little impact in three handicap chases, made mistakes latest before pulling up over C&D nine days ago.

16/1

10

19th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Worcester

Walkingoneggshells

11st 5lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Archie Watson

Won Irish point in May 2023; yet to win under rules and made no impression over fences at Stratford and over C&D last month.

20/1

7th

7

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:18 Worcester

Walkingoneggshells

11st 11lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Archie Watson

Irish point winner; runner-up in a Taunton maiden hurdle in January but well beaten since; travelled well for a long way on this month's reappearance when upped to around this trip on handicap/chase debut and should be all the sharper for that run; not ruled out with a tongue-tie now added.

14/1

Form: 35

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Just a respectable third of six on bumper debut at Chepstow and then beaten much further there; not the obvious answer to this on hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

13:40 Sedgefield

The Cypriot

11st 9lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Evan Williams

Nine-race maiden but he returned to form when third in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) under Osian Radford at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; also effective on soft ground; has the same mark as last time and he's a leading player if backing up that latest run.

11/8

3rd

4

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

13:40 Sedgefield

The Cypriot

11st 9lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Evan Williams

Nine-race maiden but he returned to form when third in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) under Osian Radford at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) on New Year's Eve; also effective on soft ground; has the same mark as last time and he's a leading player if backing up that latest run.

11/8

3rd

6

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:00 Uttoxeter

The Cypriot

11st 3lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Evan Williams

Unplaced all six hurdling starts but shaped quite well before fading at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft; first run after wind op) last month, and may benefit from combination of drop back in trip and first-time tongue-tie here.

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ordinary form in three Flat runs for this yard in 2022 (7f-1m4f); goes hurdling after an absence and with a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 212y

Class 5

16:43 Ludlow

Seren Y Teigr

10st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Trailed Dunstall Rambler and Haafback on Wincanton's chasing debut, but he wasn't done with when falling two out at Sedgefield latest, despite which he's eased 2lb more; not ruled out; blinkers replace visor.

14/1

4

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 77y

Class 5

15:10 Sedgefield

Seren Y Teigr

10st 8lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Runner-up off 3lb higher over hurdles at Ffos Las last May but pulled up in November and tailed off when 40-1 at Wincanton on last month's chase debut; dramatic improvement is needed in a first-time visor.

9/1

4

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 77y

Class 5

15:10 Sedgefield

Seren Y Teigr

10st 8lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Runner-up off 3lb higher over hurdles at Ffos Las last May but pulled up in November and tailed off when 40-1 at Wincanton on last month's chase debut; dramatic improvement is needed in a first-time visor.

9/1

Form: 00

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in an Exeter bumper and Wincanton maiden hurdle; either limited or needs more time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

20th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Ilfonce

11st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Tailed off in an Exeter bumper and Wincanton maiden hurdle; either limited or needs more time.

200/1

14th

6

12th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:30 Wincanton

Ilfonce

11st 8lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

38,000euros 2yo; fourth foal; out of half-sister to 2m5f-4m3f hurdle/high-class chase winner L'Ami and useful 2m1f-3m hurdle/chase winner Kelami; 7-1, came home well behind on bumper debut at Exeter before Christmas; looks as though he may need time.

25/1

10th

3

13th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

15:25 Exeter

Ilfonce

11st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

38,000euros 2yo; fourth foal; brother to 2m2f hurdle winner Hokelami, half-brother to 2m5f hurdle winner Fierami; dam unraced half-sister to high-class chaser L'Ami and useful jumper Kelami; market support will bring him into the equation.

12/1

Form: 6P

Last run: 114 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Limited maiden on the Flat and it's been a quiet start over hurdles; returns from a wind op.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

31st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

18:30 Stratford

What An Icon

10st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Unseated rider at first flight on recent reappearance outing and has now been unplaced all nine hurdling starts; 1lb wrong here; sports refitted hood; not the most obvious answer.

33/1

10

31st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

18:30 Stratford

What An Icon

10st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Unseated rider at first flight on recent reappearance outing and has now been unplaced all nine hurdling starts; 1lb wrong here; sports refitted hood; not the most obvious answer.

33/1

8

21st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:10 Warwick

What An Icon

10st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

No improvement for the return to assertive tactics on her final two outings last summer, beaten 25l in each; 5lb out of the weights on this return to action and not easily recommended.

50/1

Non-runners

Kintaro, Roseburg

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £36.60
Straight Forecast £36.15
Trifecta £78.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Golden Move

POSTDATA:

Cornish Storm

WEST COUNTRY:

Golden Move

The Times:

Golden Move

Telegraph:

Golden Move

The Guardian:

Golden Move

Daily Mail:

Golden Move

D Express:

Golden Move

The Star:

Golden Move

Daily Record:

Golden Move

Daily Mirror:

Cornish Storm