March 26 / 14.20 Taunton

14.20

Good To Soft

Blackbrook Primary Racing To School ‘Hands And Heels Handicap Hurdle (Cond’/Amateur Jockeys) (REI)

  • Prize money: £6073.15
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
RTV
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Blackbrook Primary Racing To School ‘Hands And Heels Handicap Hurdle (Cond’/Amateur Jockeys) (REI)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 863255 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 13lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Third over C&D in November and probably bettered that performance when second to next-time-out winner at Wincanton (1m7f, heavy) the following month; major player if judged on that form but two lesser efforts have followed; had wind op last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

26th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

14:20 Taunton

No No Tonic

11st 13lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Mark Gillard

prominent

14/1

5th

7

9th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:40 Kempton

No No Tonic

11st 5lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Mark Gillard

Veteran who has done her winning at Wincanton; form dipped there on Boxing Day, following two placed efforts; first run at Kempton and isn't the percentage call.

14/1

Form: 42P5

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Creditable second of 15 in Exeter maiden (2m, soft) in December but his final qualifying run was disappointing and last month's handicap debut was no better than respectable; needs to do better here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:22 Worcester

Iris Des Issards

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Kayley Woollacott

Came good over hurdles at 11th attempt with ready success at Newton Abbot (2m6f, good) in April; cheekpieces worn on last three starts are absent and yard yet to get off the mark this term; will need to be ready to roll on this chasing debut conceding weight all round.

7/1

6th

1

7th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

16:20 Newton Abbot

Iris Des Issards

12st 0lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Kayley Woollacott

led, headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out

11/4

7/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 2-5435

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Quite useful on the Flat but a nine-race maiden over hurdles; only beaten about 10l in consective 2m handicaps here this year (good/soft) and will be fine over today's longer trip but needs to find something extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

16:00 Cartmel

Winterwatch

11st 4lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Harry Fry

Triple Flat winner who is 1-13 over hurdles; that jumps win was by 11l in a Newton Abbot handicap (2m2f, good) in May but he's 9lb higher here and was held back in a novice at Stratford (2-1) last month; others are more persuasive.

12/1

3rd

1

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

17:23 Stratford

Winterwatch

11st 8lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Harry Fry

Took 12 goes to get off the mark over hurdles but it was very easy under Megan Bevan in a 2m2f handicap at Newton Abbot 12 days ago when in first-time cheekpieces; that was on good ground but he can deal with it softer; strong form claims even with the penalty.

7/4

Form: 1-25P8 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Runner-up over fences on stable debut last September but three heavy defeats have followed, the latest over hurdles this month; drying ground might aid his cause but he has too much to prove; swaps blinkers for first-time visor here; tongue-tie removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

14:15 Market Rasen

Iron Heart

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

0-9 over fences but twice runner-up; has another go in this discipline on the back of a comfortable win over hurdles here (2m4f, good) in a race he also won 12 months earlier; now rated 10lb lower as a chaser so has obvious claims.

4/5

1

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

14:15 Market Rasen

Iron Heart

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

0-9 over fences but twice runner-up; has another go in this discipline on the back of a comfortable win over hurdles here (2m4f, good) in a race he also won 12 months earlier; now rated 10lb lower as a chaser so has obvious claims.

4/5

1st

2

9th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

17:00 Market Rasen

Iron Heart

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

9lb lower when an easy winner of this 12 months ago but he can deal with this mark and latest close third at Ffos Las (good to soft) was commendable given he likes good ground; could very easily win this again.

13/8

Form: 2-4500

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Made winning hurdle debut in spring 2022 and is still quite lightly raced but has become disappointing this season; finished down the field (albeit not beaten that far) over C&D last month; needs to turn a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

25th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

18:15 Huntingdon

Halligator

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

2m hurdle winner (good) who showed improvement this time last year, his best effort coming over C&D (good to soft); has gone backwards in five subsequent starts, punctuated by wind surgery; back down in grade but revival needed.

10/1

1st

2

25th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

18:15 Huntingdon

Halligator

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

2m hurdle winner (good) who showed improvement this time last year, his best effort coming over C&D (good to soft); has gone backwards in five subsequent starts, punctuated by wind surgery; back down in grade but revival needed.

10/1

5th

9

26th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

14:20 Taunton

Halligator

11st 7lb

J: Miss Lauren Keen-Hawkins

T: Kim Bailey

took keen hold, held up in rear

16/1

Form: 15P258 D

Last run: 145 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Irish raider; won over fences at Kilbeggan (2m3f, good to yielding) last spring but wasn't firing on all cylinders when last seen in the autumn and is not obviously well treated off current British hurdling mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(2)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

19:48 Southwell (AW)

A Mere Bagatelle

9st 4lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: James Owen

Four wins over jumps for previous yard; 0-7 (Flat/hurdles) for current stable but remains in form and has a fighting chance off current mark provided he takes well to the surface on belated AW debut.

9/2

2nd

2

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

14:00 Fontwell

A Mere Bagatelle

11st 12lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Ex-Irish gelding who's looked high enough in the weights since returned to hurdles for his current yard; well held off a 3lb higher mark at Sedgefield last time and needs to improve on that, albeit he's been found a weak-looking race.

3/1

4th

3

19th Feb 2026

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:43 Sedgefield

A Mere Bagatelle

12st 0lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Ex-Irish; yet to win for new yard, but fair second of five at Lingfield when dropped back to 2m last time (heavy); should improve on back at 2m4f.

13/2

Form: 445352

Last run: 161 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won three good-ground chases last spring (2m7f-3m1f) and signed off in the autumn with a good hurdle run (3m1f, good to form) but has fitness to prove here and today's trip-and-ground combination is probably not ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:18 Worcester

Pottlerath

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Matt Sheppard

Regained the winning thread at Stratford (3m3f) last time; remains well treated on historical data, such as his success off this mark in this race two years ago; shortlisted.

11/4

7th

7

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:18 Worcester

Pottlerath

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Matt Sheppard

Regained the winning thread at Stratford (3m3f) last time; remains well treated on historical data, such as his success off this mark in this race two years ago; shortlisted.

11/4

1st

4

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

14:18 Stratford

Pottlerath

11st 8lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

prominent

11/2

Form: -42615

Last run: 124 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Opened hurdling account for Milton Harris at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in the autumn and has been placed under Lily Jones in two AW handicaps for new stable since but consistency is not his strong suit and he'd appeal more on good on faster ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

3rd Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:43 Huntingdon

Escobedo

10st 5lb

J: Lily Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Won off 3lb higher for Milton Harris 13 months ago (2m1f) but, following a spell with Sylvester Kirk, was well beaten on last month's stable debut (2m); has a lot to prove on this first venture beyond about 2m4f.

25/1

11

3rd Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:43 Huntingdon

Escobedo

10st 5lb

J: Lily Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Won off 3lb higher for Milton Harris 13 months ago (2m1f) but, following a spell with Sylvester Kirk, was well beaten on last month's stable debut (2m); has a lot to prove on this first venture beyond about 2m4f.

25/1

12th

12

10th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:08 Exeter

Escobedo

10st 8lb

J: Lily Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Now only 1lb higher than when scoring at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) for Milton Harris a year ago but both recent runs for Sylvester Kirk were disappointing and he needs to have been perked up by latest stable switch; cheekpieces refitted.

25/1

Form: 1561P-

Last run: 395 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Bettered low-key hurdling debut when winning Lingfield novice (2m, good to soft) in February 2023; struggled in Kempton Grade 2 a few days later and not seen again since but remains unexposed and today's step up in trip ought to suit; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

21st Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:50 Worcester

Kayf Legend

12st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Looked quite promising when winning 2m novice hurdle in early 2023 but returned from long absence with three disappointing handicap hurdle runs this year; switches to fences with first-time cheekpieces fitted today.

16/1

10th

5

8th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Worcester

Kayf Legend

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

midfield

20/1

8th

11

5th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:10 Newton Abbot

Kayf Legend

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Looked a nice prospect when winning at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) in February last year; outclassed in Grade 2 at Kempton 11 days later and likely needed March's return from nearly a year away when down the field on handicap debut at Taunton (2m3f, soft); better can be expected with that run behind him but he has a bit to prove at present.

25/1

Form: -51184

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Struck form and won twice at Exeter (2m, good to soft) in November; returned from short break with two lesser efforts last month but heavy ground may not have suited last time and further progress remains possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

17:40 Exeter

Asian Spice

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Jimmy Frost

Three of her four wins have come here on good or good to soft, including over this trip; well treated on her form of late 2024; has been well below that level since over both hurdles and fences; back down in grade for this return to hurdles but there's a bit to prove at present.

9/1

6

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 150y

Class 4

14:51 Taunton

Asian Spice

11st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Jimmy Frost

Won twice over hurdles towards the end of 2024 but has lost her way since and things have not gone well in two chase runs (tailed off/unseated) this winter; has something to prove and she's never won over this far.

25/1

6th

9

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:02 Warwick

Asian Spice

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Jimmy Frost

4-15 over hurdles; absent since modest fourth of seven in low-grade Newton Abbot handicap (2mf, good) in May, though, and set a tough assignment on this chasing debut; cheekpieces removed after one use.

33/1

Form: 1-11PP

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Enjoyed a purple patch for Brian Barr last spring, winning three hurdles (2m-2m1f, good-soft) and a Flat race, but was pulled up on recent debut for owner-trainer and is difficult to enthuse over after that run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

3rd Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:03 Huntingdon

Pak Army

10st 10lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

raced in second, led after 3 out, headed after 2 out, kept on but no match for winner

4/1

2nd

5

3rd Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:03 Huntingdon

Pak Army

10st 10lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

raced in second, led after 3 out, headed after 2 out, kept on but no match for winner

4/1

1

10th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:08 Exeter

Pak Army

12st 0lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Returned to form with emphatic Flat win in May and has been placed over hurdles twice since; just a respectable fourth at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) last month but is 2lb lower here and can cope if the ground softens.

12/1

Form: 55P-21 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 6yo who stayed on well to win by 8l at Fontwell (2m3f, heavy) last month, his second handicap; 8lb rise demands more from him here but he's an obvious one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

15:10 Hereford

Time To Dazzle

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Respectable second at Ludlow (2m, good to soft; 10lb lower today) in December but the rest of his chase form is poor and he fell early when tried in first-time cheekpieces on latest start, which are fitted again.

25/1

1

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

15:10 Hereford

Time To Dazzle

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Respectable second at Ludlow (2m, good to soft; 10lb lower today) in December but the rest of his chase form is poor and he fell early when tried in first-time cheekpieces on latest start, which are fitted again.

25/1

5

20th Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 212y

Class 4

17:05 Ludlow

Time To Dazzle

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Ran respectably behind Famoso over C&D in December but the rest of his chase form is poor; chance largely depends on how well he responds to first-time cheekpieces; 7lb out of weights.

40/1

Form: 12-550 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Displayed significant jolt of improvement to win by 11l over C&D (good to soft) in first-time cheekpieces on handicap hurdle debut just over a year ago; not in same form on any of three appearances this season (latest was after a wind op) but combination of better ground and return to this track offers some hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

28th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

18:30 Market Rasen

Play By The Rules

10st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Returned from long absence with a promising stable debut at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in March, when he travelled strongly for a long way, and he was unlucky to be brought down fairly early on at Hexham this month; remains well handicapped on old form; might be the answer.

11/4

12

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

19:15 Hexham

Play By The Rules

10st 3lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Adam Nicol

Ex-Nigel Hawke; fair fifth after a long break on stable debut at Newcastle last time (2m4f, good to soft; 3-1); should come on for that; one with a chance.

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £122.50
Straight Forecast £96.05
Tricast £534.52
Trifecta £593.00

Selections

The Times:

Time To Dazzle

SPOTLIGHT:

Kayf Legend

WEST COUNTRY:

Asian Spice

RP RATINGS:

Winterwatch

Telegraph:

Pottlerath

The Guardian:

Time To Dazzle

Daily Mail:

Time To Dazzle

D Express:

Time To Dazzle

Daily Mirror:

Time To Dazzle

The Star:

Time To Dazzle

Daily Record:

Kayf Legend

The Sun:

Asian Spice

POSTDATA:

Winterwatch