March 11 / 16.10 Taunton

16.10

Soft

William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 7f 198y
  • Class 5
  • 14 runners
RTV
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William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 544211 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Came good over hurdles at seventh attempt, winning by 19l at Hereford (2m5f, soft) last month, and followed up over C&D (soft) a few days later; effectively another 7lb higher than last time now but needs to be taken very seriously in current mood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

21st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 1

15:00 Exeter

Lady Balko

11st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Made very good progress over hurdles then fences last year, with the latest of six wins gained in quite valuable mares' handicap chase at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft) in December; will be dangerous if in similar mood here but suffered a worrying slump in form on her two starts last month and needs a good boost from the new cheekpieces.

10/1

1

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

Lady Balko

12st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Sent chasing this term and twice made all in handicaps at Plumpton (3m2f) before always prominent to take one at Hereford (3m1f); ran poorly in mares' Listed race at Newbury 16 days ago when soft going should not have been a problem; needs to resume improvement and moves into the unknown stamina-wise.

6/1

1

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

Lady Balko

12st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Sent chasing this term and twice made all in handicaps at Plumpton (3m2f) before always prominent to take one at Hereford (3m1f); ran poorly in mares' Listed race at Newbury 16 days ago when soft going should not have been a problem; needs to resume improvement and moves into the unknown stamina-wise.

6/1

12/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: -07558

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Generally very disappointing since shock win in 2m Warwick novice in autumn 2022 and faded rather tamely after racing prominently over 2m3f here last month; unexposed over 3m and continues to slip down the weights but needs to turn a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Always Busy

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Back in good nick for his two runs last month, latterly when close third to Wicked Thoughts at Taunton (3m4f, good); still unexposed over marathon trips and still on a workable mark; could have a say.

7/1

3rd

5

9th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 85y

Class 4

16:15 Taunton

Always Busy

10st 11lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Dual winning chaser who confirmed his well-being when second of four finishers at Southwell (3m, good) eight days ago; steps up in trip and if that brings about any improvement then he should be in the firing line.

11/4

2nd

3

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:30 Southwell

Always Busy

11st 7lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Hasn't obviously been shaping as if likely to strike again (pulled up in Chepstow race Fern Hill was second in last time) but the fact he won over C&D on good off an identical mark last spring makes him a dangerous one to dismiss.

11/2

20/1

  • Place: £9.60

Form: 5-P0PP

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Out of sorts this season (pulled up on three of four appearances) but now 1lb lower than when suddenly returning to form to reward good market support at Wincanton (2m5f, good to soft) a year ago; worth a check in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

14:50 Wetherby

Ithaka

11st 10lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Ryan Potter

Pulled up in both starts since opening his chase account in Hereford contest; still seeking first success above Class 5; cheekpieces added.

14/1

4

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Ithaka

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Ryan Potter

Perhaps found out by the 3m6f trip at Exeter and heavy ground wasn't ideal when best efforts have been on good to soft or good; again reservations on that score here, but he was running well prior to last time.

10/1

8

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:45 Exeter

Ithaka

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Ryan Potter

4l winner under Freddie Mitchell at Hereford (extended 3m1f) in January on latest outing but 8lb higher today, including 3lb out of the handicap; also not proven on worse than good to soft (had two attempts on soft) and this sort of trip is something new to him.

9/1

Form: 7-284P

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
0-8 over hurdles but the form of his C&D fourth (good ground) in November has been very well advertised by the front pair since; pulled up with respiratory issue in January but had wind surgery soon afterwards and has tongue-tie fitted today; could have a say if he handles today's ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

14:20 Wincanton

Robinsville

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

in touch with leaders

13/2

8

18th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:35 Taunton

Robinsville

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

0-5 over fences and 0-16 overall but may have benefited from latest wind op when keeping on well for third behind Safe Destination over C&D (good to soft) last month; 2lb out of the weights today but still considered.

11/2

3rd

10

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Robinsville

10st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

in touch with leaders

14/1

Form: 0047-P

Last run: 109 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in 1m7f Wincanton maiden on only outing this season (in November; had wind op soon afterwards) but positives can be drawn from her two runs last spring (2m4f/2m3f) and she remains very unexposed; upped in trip and fitted with tongue-tie for handicap debut; no surprise if she features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

5th Jun 2024

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:10 Newton Abbot

Mollie Brown

10st 9lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Had wind surgery in November; sent handicapping over 3m+ for her two starts since but needs to improve on that form; has had just seven races and this is the first one in blinkers.

8/1

3rd

6

7th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

19:30 Hereford

Mollie Brown

10st 12lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Lightly raced 6yo who hinted at ability at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last spring and has had excuses for two soft-ground defeats since, the latest on 3m handicap debut at Taunton when back from a break and wind surgery; likely to do better on this more suitable ground.

12/1

3rd

6

7th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 5

19:30 Hereford

Mollie Brown

10st 12lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Lightly raced 6yo who hinted at ability at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last spring and has had excuses for two soft-ground defeats since, the latest on 3m handicap debut at Taunton when back from a break and wind surgery; likely to do better on this more suitable ground.

12/1

Form: 6-P591

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Showed only minor promise in her qualifying races but improved to cause 25-1 surprise on last month's handicap debut at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft); may not be ideally suited by the forecast slower ground here but is open to further progress over 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

16th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:02 Chepstow

The Midwife

11st 0lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Better chaser than hurdler and won by over 8l here last month; a 7lb rise didn't look too harsh and she duly ran well again at Warwick, finding only one too good (again on soft); enters the reckoning.

3/1

2nd

5

21st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Warwick

The Midwife

11st 10lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

didn't always jump with fluency, held up in rear, headway 12th, went third after 13th, no impression approaching last, kept on and went second towards finish, no match for winner

7/4

1st

7

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

The Midwife

10st 4lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Won her only point; handicap hurdle win came off 2lb higher and she ran two solid races in that discipline before finding only one too good on her switch to fences over C&D 12 days ago (heavy); aided by another low weight, she should have a part to play.

5/1

Form: 858

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Beaten over 30l and unable to land a telling blow in three maiden/novice hurdles this season (1m7f-2m3f); needs the longer trip to unlock significant improvement on today's handicap debut; stable runs two.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

6th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:00 Kelso

Captain Marco

11st 4lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tim Vaughan

prominent behind clear leaders

12/1

11th

13

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:30 Exeter

Captain Marco

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Mitchell Hunt

Hasn't yet managed to get competitive in four attempts and probably needs a favour from the handicapper before doing so.

50/1

11th

13

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:30 Exeter

Captain Marco

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Mitchell Hunt

Hasn't yet managed to get competitive in four attempts and probably needs a favour from the handicapper before doing so.

50/1

12/1

Form: 736756 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Five-time hurdle winner, most recently off 5lb higher mark in this race a year ago (good to soft); not firing on all cylinders this season, though, and often hits a flat spot in his races nowadays; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

16:30 Ludlow

Karakoram

10st 6lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Third over 2m5f in May (good) took his record here to 31823; no trip or ground issues and mark never lower, but poor the last twice.

20/1

Form: P65

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 6yo who shaped with significant promise before fading into fifth on run-in here (2m3f, good to soft) in December; upped in trip for this handicap debut and useful 7lb claimer Cameron Iles booked; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

7th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

16:20 Newton Abbot

Outside Adesa

10st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Kayley Woollacott

prominent, bad mistake and lost ground quickly 3 out

10/1

8th

10

7th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

16:20 Newton Abbot

Outside Adesa

10st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Kayley Woollacott

prominent, bad mistake and lost ground quickly 3 out, weakened 2 out

10/1

5

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

14:34 Newton Abbot

Outside Adesa

11st 6lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

in touch with leaders, lost ground after 5th

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: /44-41 D

Last run: 262 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won modest Market Rasen novice (2m7f, good) for Olly Murphy last June but was sold for £1,500 in September and needs a bigger performance on this stable/handicap debut; unraced on ground slower than good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

26th Apr 2024

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

20:15 Chepstow

San Fermin

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Joe Ponting

Won Market Rasen novice (2m7f, good) for Olly Murphy last June but that was a weak race; sold for £1,500 in the autumn and he was pulled up at a big price on his handicap/stable debut at Taunton last month; was reported to have had an irregular heartbeat after that race and he looks best watched.

33/1

15

26th Apr 2024

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

20:15 Chepstow

San Fermin

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Joe Ponting

Won Market Rasen novice (2m7f, good) for Olly Murphy last June but that was a weak race; sold for £1,500 in the autumn and he was pulled up at a big price on his handicap/stable debut at Taunton last month; was reported to have had an irregular heartbeat after that race and he looks best watched.

33/1

2

11th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

16:10 Taunton

San Fermin

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Joe Ponting

Won modest Market Rasen novice (2m7f, good) for Olly Murphy last June but was sold for £1,500 in September and needs a bigger performance on this stable/handicap debut; unraced on ground slower than good to soft.

16/1

Form: 520P6-

Last run: 325 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
0-7 over hurdles and absent since respectable sixth of 18 at Exeter (2m7f, good) last April; resumes on a workable mark but would appeal more on better ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Getupearly

10st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Winning pointer; 18 defeats under rules equally divided between hurdles and fences; however, accepted the new cheekpieces when runner-up at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) last time and that run offers hope.

4/1

5th

4

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Getupearly

10st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Winning pointer; 18 defeats under rules equally divided between hurdles and fences; however, accepted the new cheekpieces when runner-up at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) last time and that run offers hope.

4/1

2nd

5

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

18:38 Huntingdon

Getupearly

10st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Winning pointer who is 0-17 under rules and 0-8 as a chaser; he does have placed form in this discipline but his last three efforts have been well below his best, the latest after wind surgery; bit risky with cheekpieces turned to.

2/1

Form: 4P5/7-

Last run: 522 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Showed some promise in novice company in 2021-22 season but was safely held in his first three handicaps (2m3f-2m7f) and makes very limited appeal on this first appearance since October 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

7th Jun 2024

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:20 Market Rasen

Hooky Street

10st 13lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Dickin

Placed at Exeter (2m1f, good) in April on his second start over fences but he's struggled in both runs since; now drops back in trip but overall record stands at 0-13 and others are preferred; tongue-tie added.

12/1

6th

4

16th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:10 Fontwell

Hooky Street

11st 5lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Dickin

led, headed 7th, led again 8th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened

9/1

6th

4

16th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:10 Fontwell

Hooky Street

11st 5lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Dickin

Placed in a bumper and also over fences, the latter coming at Exeter (2m1f, good; first-time blinkers) on his penultimate start; weakened quickly when pulled up at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) latest; return to further could help him be more competitive.

9/1

Form: 7/UP-P

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Left Jonjo O'Neill after failing to complete two chases in summer 2022 and, following a long absence, was pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) when reverted to hurdles for new stable last month; has too much to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

11th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

16:10 Taunton

Known

11st 7lb

J: David Noonan

T: Claire Dyson

Left Jonjo O'Neill after failing to complete two chases in summer 2022 and, following a long absence, was pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) when reverted to hurdles for new stable last month; has too much to prove.

66/1

8

17th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

15:42 Wincanton

Known

11st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Claire Dyson

0-12 over hurdles/fences; had wind surgery in May 2021 and has accomplished little since; absent since July 2022 and has left Jonjo O'Neill, with further wind surgery in November last year; stacks to prove, including stamina.

40/1

Form: 14-P4P

Last run: 89 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner (2m4f/2m3f) when fitted with visor in early part of last year but yet to get going this season (pulled up on two of three appearances); tries a new trip today; revival needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

16:18 Lingfield

Bert Wilson

10st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Both wins early in 2023; last season was disappointing but he's since had wind surgery (second time) and is 3lb below his last winning mark.

25/1

9

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

16:18 Lingfield

Bert Wilson

10st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

jumped slightly right throughout, pressed leader, briefly led before 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up approaching last

25/1

Non-runners

Go On Ya Goodthing, Mister Upton

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.70
Straight Forecast £11.30
Tricast £365.71
Trifecta £393.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lady Balko

RP RATINGS:

The Midwife

TOPSPEED:

Getupearly

WEST COUNTRY:

Lady Balko

Telegraph:

Lady Balko

Daily Mail:

Lady Balko

D Express:

Lady Balko

Daily Mirror:

Lady Balko

The Sun:

Lady Balko

POSTDATA:

The Midwife

The Times:

The Midwife

The Guardian:

The Midwife

Daily Record:

The Midwife

The Star:

Getupearly