March 26 / 14.50 Taunton

14.50

Good To Soft

Chetwood Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4955.32
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
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Chetwood Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/6 (Won)

  • Win: £1.62
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 02

Last run: 103 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; tailed off in Newbury bumper on rules debut in November but showed his true colours when clear second to smart rival over C&D (good to soft) the following month; the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Ryans Rocket

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Firmly in the picture judged on his handicap win at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in November and he drops back in trip today having weakened over 2m4f at Kempton last month; not ruled out but he made mistakes last time and has unseated on two of his last four starts; needs to cut out the blunders.

9/1

6th

4

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:18 Kempton

Ryans Rocket

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

One of two hurdle wins came on this track; two later chase wins, at Chepstow and Newbury, also came at about 2m (good to soft) but he has a good chance of staying this far and is a better jumper than suggested by two unseats from his last three starts; interesting.

5/2

22

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Ryans Rocket

10st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Reserve; second-season chaser who won a shade cosily on reappearance at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in November and, although there was still a fair way to go, he was travelling nicely when unseating five out at Kempton (2m, good) in December; there is a firm suspicion he's an improved performer this season and he's one to consider.

8/1

16/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 3

Last run: 54 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat-racer who kept on steadily for remote third on last month's stable/hurdle debut at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft); ought to have learned from that experience but significant improvement is needed here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

15:35 Newton Abbot

Manuelito

11st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Never really got competitive at Aintree festival in April but his front-running win at Newbury (2m, good to soft) two starts ago makes him of interest here and, after only nine hurdle runs, he's not yet fully exposed.

3/1

9th

10

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Manuelito

10st 7lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

didn't always jump with fluency, towards rear

12/1

9th

10

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Manuelito

10st 7lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

didn't always jump with fluency, towards rear

12/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 25661 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran well for a long way on last month's hurdling debut and built on that promise when causing 18-1 surprise at Ludlow (2m, soft) a fortnight ago; has penalty to shoulder here but ought to play a major role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 4

15:45 Leicester

Diamond Dice

11st 6lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Blotted copybook at Carlisle last week, whipping round and unseating rider at the start, but launched chasing career with a clear second at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy) in January and can cope with today's drop back in trip.

9/4

1

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 4

16:30 Carlisle

Diamond Dice

12st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Runner-up over hurdles at Market Rasen (2m2f, good to soft) in December and filled the same position on last month's chase debut at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy), where he was clear with the progressive winner; chance.

4/1

Form: 5

Last run: 108 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran well to a point on debut at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) in December but was well beaten in the end; drops in trip with tongue-tie fitted here; has plenty of scope for improvement but is not the most obvious answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

16:30 Hereford

El Curamach

10st 10lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Ryan Potter

Odds-on winner of a Warwick maiden (2m, good) in May 2024 and he returned after a long absence with an encouraging third on handicap debut at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) last month; that was behind a major improver and he's a player if he can build on that.

8/1

3rd

10

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

14:00 Newbury

El Curamach

11st 6lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Ryan Potter

Justified odds-on favouritism in run-of-the-mill Warwick maiden (2m, good) in May 2024 but this handicap debut comes after a mammoth absence and he'll be of interest only if lively in the betting.

20/1

Form: 621- D

Last run: 609 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Comfortably justified odds-on favouritism in very ordinary Worcester bumper (good ground) in summer 2022 and ought to have a future over jumps but this hurdling debut comes after a 609-day absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:40 Uttoxeter

Intrepide Sud

11st 9lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bumper/hurdle winner on good ground; jumping has been an issue since his was switched to fences in March but he seemed to be getting his act together when third at Bangor (2m1f, good) last month; could be hard to beat off current mark if he avoids significant errors.

11/4

3rd

2

17th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

16:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Intrepide Sud

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bumper/hurdle winner on good ground; didn't jump well enough when safely held in two Stratford chases (2m1f/2m3f) in March but has been given some help by the handicapper and may yet get his act together over fences.

10/1

3rd

2

17th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

16:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Intrepide Sud

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bumper/hurdle winner on good ground; didn't jump well enough when safely held in two Stratford chases (2m1f/2m3f) in March but has been given some help by the handicapper and may yet get his act together over fences.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won on the Flat for Jedd O'Keeffe last spring (1m4f, soft; RPR 79) but seemed badly to lose his way last summer/autumn and was sold for 8,500gns in October; makes stable/hurdle debut here; too risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 16y

Class 5

14:18 Chepstow

Nobody Told Me

10st 6lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Thomas Faulkner

Stayed on for very respectable fourth at Hereford (2m3f, good) this month, his second run in a visor, but is yet to be placed after 11 hurdling starts and needs to find something extra today.

13/2

4th

8

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

15:25 Hereford

Nobody Told Me

10st 6lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Thomas Faulkner

Respectable fifth in similar races at Taunton and Chepstow last month but has yet to place over hurdles after ten attempts.

12/1

5th

11

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:48 Chepstow

Nobody Told Me

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Thomas Faulkner

Didn't run badly when fifth on heavy ground at Taunton (2m3f) last week but he's 0-9 over hurdles now and needs to be perked up by a change of headgear today.

20/1

100/1

Form: P-9

Last run: 124 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in an Irish point in 2022 but struggled on both hurdling starts last year (2m3f/2m5f); look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

5th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 5

15:10 Wincanton

Katopop

10st 9lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Anthony Charlton

didn't always jump with fluency, raced lazily at times, took keen hold, midfield, struggling 15th, pulled up before 5 out

50/1

10

5th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 5

15:10 Wincanton

Katopop

10st 9lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Anthony Charlton

Runner-up in a point two years ago but very lightly raced since and pulled up in both handicaps, over fences and hurdles; huge turnaround needed with first-time blinkers added to refitted tongue-tie.

50/1

7

17th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:50 Fontwell

Katopop

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Anthony Charlton

Had wind surgery and with a new trainer, but he showed nothing over hurdles and was pulled up on chase/handicap debut when last seen.

12/1

Form: 076

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to useful hurdler Monviel; with a good stable but was soundly beaten on his first two hurdling starts (both 2m) and has a lot to find today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

20th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

15:20 Warwick

Pillar Rock

11st 1lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Had few chances and although he hasn't looked ahead of his mark in two handicap hurdles he has shaped promisingly while looking the type to improve with racing; likely candidate now switched to fences.

9/2

7

20th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 5

15:20 Warwick

Pillar Rock

11st 1lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Had few chances and although he hasn't looked ahead of his mark in two handicap hurdles he has shaped promisingly while looking the type to improve with racing; likely candidate now switched to fences.

9/2

6th

13

29th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

14:00 Chepstow

Pillar Rock

10st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Hung right in home straight and was unable to justify favouritism when fourth on seasonal/handicap debut at Bangor (2m, good) last month but that form has worked out well, and he could still have a bigger run in him.

4/1

Form: 1-30 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Created pretty good impression when winning good-ground Exeter bumper in February 2023 but did not jump well when remote third over C&D on hurdling debut in November, and was tailed off at Newbury in January (first-time hood); not written off just yet but others have much less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:45 Uttoxeter

Diesel Line

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Both wins over hurdles have been over C&D, the latest in September off 6lb lower; will have benefited from his recent pipe-opener when fourth at Market Rasen (2m,good) and should run well.

11/2

4th

1

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:33 Market Rasen

Diesel Line

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Dual winner on good ground at Uttoxeter last summer; still in good form when last seen in the autumn and probably still on a workable mark but has fitness to prove after four months off and recent rain reduces his appeal.

7/2

Form: 69

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed no significant promise when beaten about 40l in two bumpers; makes hurdling debut today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

16:42 Taunton

Telenn DAnnain

11st 5lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Christian Williams

No worthwhile form in two bumpers and the same again over hurdles; modest handicaps are on the horizon.

100/1

11

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

16:42 Taunton

Telenn DAnnain

11st 5lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Christian Williams

No worthwhile form in two bumpers and the same again over hurdles; modest handicaps are on the horizon.

100/1

7th

7

4th Apr 2024

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:35 Southwell

Telenn DAnnain

11st 4lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Christian Williams

took keen hold, held up in rear

100/1

14/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of an unraced half-sister to Champion Bumper/smart hurdle winner Cousin Vinny; clear second on Irish point debut last April (yielding to soft) and was bought for £82,000 soon afterwards but the winner hasn't done much to advertise that form under rules in the meantime; market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

16:10 Taunton

Skin Full

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Low-mileage 6yo; below form when when favourite for 1m7f handicap chase in December but evidently well suited by combination of hike up in trip and return to hurdling when close second at Doncaster (3m, good) last month; must be considered.

7/4

16

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 5

15:20 Doncaster

Skin Full

10st 5lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

6yo who kept on well for close fourth on his handicap and chase debut at Taunton (2m2f, good to soft) in November; failed to back that up at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) but this 3m point runner-up could be suited by the step up in trip now back hurdling; intriguing contender.

11/2

OUR TIP

Form: P6

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 4

13:30 Doncaster

Cave Article

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

26,000euros 3yo; second foal; dam unraced half-sister to bumper and smart 2m4f-3m1f hurdle/chase winner Casey Jones; ran in two Irish maiden points last year, runner-up in October on second occasion; probably one for later on but market should guide on rules debut.

16/1

Form: U

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Horse

OR:

Form & Verdict
Jinked and unseated rider at first flight when 150-1 for debut here a fortnight ago; hood now added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

30th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:20 Uttoxeter

Gentlieman Ross

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Ella Pickard

Unseated rider at first flight on hurdling debut in March and was pulled up when a big-priced outsider a fortnight later; cheekpieces added to hood here.

100/1

5

26th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:50 Taunton

Gentlieman Ross

11st 5lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Ella Pickard

held up in rear, jumped left and hampered rival 1st, outpaced 2nd, not fluent 3rd, tailed off 5th, pulled up 6th

100/1

Non-runners

Kentucky Bluegrass

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.00
Straight Forecast £10.26
Trifecta £25.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ryan's Rocket

POSTDATA:

Diamond Dice

Telegraph:

Diamond Dice

The Sun:

Diamond Dice

RP RATINGS:

Ryan's Rocket

TOPSPEED:

Ryan's Rocket

WEST COUNTRY:

Ryan's Rocket

The Times:

Ryan's Rocket

The Guardian:

Ryan's Rocket

Daily Mail:

Ryan's Rocket

D Express:

Ryan's Rocket

Daily Mirror:

Ryan's Rocket

The Star:

Ryan's Rocket

Daily Record:

Ryan's Rocket