February 29 / 16.25 Taunton

16.25

Soft

Stables Business Park Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £6073.15
  • 2m 7f 198y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Stables Business Park Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 8-6841 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Nothing doing in bumpers and early hurdle races, including in first two handicaps, but he handled the step up to 3m on heavy ground far better than his toiling rivals when well clear at Wincanton 12 days ago; up 10lb but he's unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Rivers Corner

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Easy win at Wincanton (3m2f, heavy) in January and bounced back from Haydock flop to win at Exeter (3m6f, good) recently, despite a bad mistake; clearly on the up and his stable has won two of the last six runnings.

9/2

1st

3

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Rivers Corner

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Tended to jump left on last two outings but that didn't stop him beating recent Midlands Grand National winner Isaac Des Obeaux by 21l at right-handed Wincanton (3m2f, heavy; first-time tongue-tie) on first occasion; pulled up in valuable Haydock marathon since but will be fine on the forecast good ground here and is a contender if back on song.

9/2

8

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Rivers Corner

10st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Running well in defeat this season, including over an extended 3m4f, before producing a career-best in a first-time tongue-tie to win easily at Wincanton (extended 3m2f, heavy); hit with a 9lb rise but he was impressive last time and could have more to offer in the tongue-tie; respected.

8/1

Form: 394

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Shown promise both starts at Taunton, keeping up the chase when fourth of nine over 2m3f (good) this month; might reveal hidden depths now handicapping up in trip but he did run poorly in his only run on soft, at Wincanton in December.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Tiny Tetley

12st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won four times over hurdles last season (2m7f-3m) but chasing didn't go to plan in the autumn and he was soundly beaten when back over hurdles on Boxing Day; needs to get career back on track.

16/1

7th

5

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Tiny Tetley

11st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

In excellent form in the spring, completing hat-trick with ready success in series final at Haydock (3m) in April before going very close in another competitive handicap over that C&D (also on good) in May; obvious contender if in similar nick after 168-day break.

16/1

2nd

4

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

13:00 Haydock

Tiny Tetley

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Ended last season in excellent form, completing a hat-trick with a ready C&D success (good; Thank You Ma'am second) in a quite valuable series final three weeks ago; last two wins were under today's claiming rider Callum Pritchard; probably still on the upgrade; good chance.

7/2

12/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 51-124 CD

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won consecutive handicaps in 2023, over C&D (soft) and 2m5f (heavy), and didn't look done with from a handicapping viewpoint when fourth at Newbury in January (3m, soft); likely contender down in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 4

16:25 Taunton

Little Else

11st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Won consecutive handicaps in 2023, over C&D (soft) and 2m5f (heavy), and didn't look done with from a handicapping viewpoint when fourth at Newbury in January (3m, soft); likely contender down in grade.

12/1

4th

16

23rd Jan 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 4

15:10 Newbury

Little Else

10st 4lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Seemingly all the better for wind surgery when winning 3m/2m5f (soft/heavy) handicaps by neck margins; got edged out by an exposed mare at Exeter (2m5f, good to soft) since but returning to further should benefit her; she's not without hope.

14/1

Form: 426-

Last run: 370 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in sole Irish point; ran well behind talented rivals in first two hurdle starts at about 2m6f (soft and good to soft) but his effort was very short-lived on handicap debut at Exeter on latest start last February; should be competitive on the earlier form if fit for the fray.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

6

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Keable

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Prevailed in a Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow (2m7f, soft) to make it four wins from his last seven starts; building up a respectable strike-rate and the 9yo has certainly improved with age; not ruled out.

12/1

1st

6

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Keable

10st 9lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Two soft-ground wins last term and another at Newbury (3m) on reappearance; respectable third to King Of The Lake here but not so good at Warwick latest; needs to find extra and 7lb-claiming amateur (who rode a winner for the stable last Saturday) is recruited.

9/1

6th

9

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Keable

10st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Good strike-rate (3-5) in 2025; creditable third at Chepstow (2m7f) last time and remains in form but is held by Royal Rambler on that effort and has perhaps reached his ceiling after climbing the weights.

14/1

Form: 438096 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Stout stayer whose latest winning run was in 2021; few signs of life since back from absence in October and no better for the return to a staying trip at Huntingdon recently; could be a reviver at some stage though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

21st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

13:40 Stratford

Uno Mas

11st 6lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

12-time winner over hurdles, most recently when exploiting plummeting mark at Southwell (2m4f, heavy) this month; still well handicapped on older form and today's trip-and-ground combination should suit him better.

11/2

11th

7

21st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

13:40 Stratford

Uno Mas

11st 6lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

12-time winner over hurdles, most recently when exploiting plummeting mark at Southwell (2m4f, heavy) this month; still well handicapped on older form and today's trip-and-ground combination should suit him better.

11/2

1st

6

4th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:45 Southwell

Uno Mas

11st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

11-time hurdle winner (albeit not since 2011); well beaten on all four outings this year but is sliding down the weights and may yet stage a revival; worth keeping an eye on in the betting.

14/1

Form: -U3343 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Has run well in handicap hurdles on last two starts, seeming to stay 3m1f (soft) when third at Huntingdon this month, despite racing enthusiastically; not obviously ahead of his mark but on the premises again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Worcester

Spitalfield

11st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Seemingly aided by cheekpieces when making the frame at Warwick twice this season (3m1f/3m2f, good) but his finishing was disappointing in those races and he's patently not as good as he was; others preferred.

8/1

4th

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Warwick

Spitalfield

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Ended string of heavy defeats when third in first-time cheekpieces here (3m1f, good; handes soft) last month but didn't find much in the closing stages, and it's hard to tell whether he'll build on that performance.

11/2

3rd

1

4th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 5

15:50 Warwick

Spitalfield

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Only 1-24 and that win was nearly two years ago; he was in no form earlier this year and plenty depends on whether cheekpieces can trigger something; he's dropped to a good mark.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: P8-24P D

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner, in points and four times at Exeter, but his form has see-sawed since a chase win last January and he was pulled up for the third time in six starts back there last month; weights chance but risky with first-time blinkers replacing cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

21st Apr 2024

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:35 Wincanton

Raddon Top

11st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

Has won four times at Exeter and yet he has struggled in handicap hurdles there the last twice; has won over fences but tried this discipline only once in the last 12 months and he was well beaten.

14/1

4th

6

21st Apr 2024

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:35 Wincanton

Raddon Top

11st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

Has won four times at Exeter and yet he has struggled in handicap hurdles there the last twice; has won over fences but tried this discipline only once in the last 12 months and he was well beaten.

14/1

5th

4

7th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

15:00 Exeter

Raddon Top

11st 13lb

J: James Turner

T: Chris Down

Four-time course winner (twice over C&D) who will be suited by today's ground; on a good mark now but was safely held when fourth here last month and needs to up his game.

16/1

Form: 3-33P4

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Started handicap career with two good runs at about 2m3f (on good and heavy) but was pulled up over 3m next time and never really threatened back in trip at Exeter last month; others more likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

13th Jul 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

15:42 Newton Abbot

Sams Amour

11st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Keiran Burke

Triple hurdle winner who has dropped to an attractive mark but for good reason; tailed off over further here last month and, although this shorter trip is a plus, she has plenty to prove.

12/1

4th

6

27th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:56 Newton Abbot

Sams Amour

10st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Keiran Burke

Triple hurdle winner (2m2f-2m5f) in 2024 but she's struggled in last six runs and was pulled up here (3m2f) three weeks ago; has plenty to prove and needs a big turnaround back in trip.

20/1

6

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:20 Newton Abbot

Sams Amour

11st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Keiran Burke

Triple hurdle winner (2m2f-2m5f) in 2024 but she's struggled in last five starts, including over C&D last month on her penultimate run; has plenty to prove and needs a major revival.

16/1

Form: 4F4-31 CD

Last run: 78 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who is prone to the odd lesser effort but he has a healthy strike-rate in handicaps at 2m7f+ and made light of heavy ground at Hexham in December (2m7f); up 8lb but still respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

19th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

14:00 Exeter

My Last Oscar

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Ploughed through the heavy ground when winning at Hexham in December (3m; from an 8lb lower mark); arguably that wasn't the strongest of races though, and he was never travelling when pulled up at Taunton subsequently; some work to do in these newly applied cheekpieces.

8/1

3

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 4

16:25 Taunton

My Last Oscar

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

C&D winner who is prone to the odd lesser effort but he has a healthy strike-rate in handicaps at 2m7f+ and made light of heavy ground at Hexham in December (2m7f); up 8lb but still respected.

8/1

1st

1

13th Dec 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

15:20 Hexham

My Last Oscar

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Taunton winner in March 2022 (3m, soft); has not run as well since, although fair effort after a break when 20l third at Warwick last time (3m2f, soft); a possible.

7/2

Form: 36P2

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Early promise in Irish point and bumper; low-key start to hurdle career but he fared better when runner-up to a hotpot at Kempton (2m5f, soft) recently and should do better again on switch to this level over new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:30 Exeter

Tough Approach

11st 13lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

Irish point second who was placed in a heavy ground bumper on debut and also in a Kempton novices' hurdle (2m5f, soft) in February; pulled up on handicap debut at Taunton later that month but player if a subsequent wind operation has a positive effect; also has first-time cheekpieces added to the tongue-strap he's worn recently.

14/1

12th

2

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:30 Exeter

Tough Approach

11st 13lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

Irish point second who was placed in a heavy ground bumper on debut and also in a Kempton novices' hurdle (2m5f, soft) in February; pulled up on handicap debut at Taunton later that month but player if a subsequent wind operation has a positive effect; also has first-time cheekpieces added to the tongue-strap he's worn recently.

14/1

6

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 4

16:25 Taunton

Tough Approach

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Early promise in Irish point and bumper; low-key start to hurdle career but he fared better when runner-up to a hotpot at Kempton (2m5f, soft) recently and should do better again on switch to this level over new trip.

9/1

Non-runners

Grosvenor Court, My Girl Katie, Outside Adesa, The Midwife

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.70
Straight Forecast £17.30
Tricast £62.57
Trifecta £95.20

Selections

POSTDATA:

Rivers Corner

SPOTLIGHT:

The Midwife

Telegraph:

My Last Oscar

WEST COUNTRY:

Tough Approach

TOPSPEED:

Uno Mas

RP RATINGS:

The Midwife

The Times:

The Midwife

Daily Record:

The Midwife

The Guardian:

Rivers Corner

Daily Mail:

Rivers Corner

The Sun:

Rivers Corner

The Star:

Rivers Corner

D Express:

My Last Oscar

Daily Mirror:

My Last Oscar