April 11 / 14.43 Taunton

14.43

Soft

Summerfield Developments Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
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Summerfield Developments Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

4/6 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.20

Form: -05092 BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 5yo who was about 20l clear of the third when close second on handicap debut at Plumpton (2m1f, good) ten days ago; encounters slower ground here but is back in action before a 7lb rise takes effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

22nd Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

17:00 Newton Abbot

Soir De Gala

11st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent

6/4

1st

4

21st Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

17:10 Stratford

Soir De Gala

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Won comfortably at Fakenham (2m4f, good) and wilted only on the run-in off this 7lb higher mark at Worcester; only a 5yo and entitled to progress further now sent chasing.

5/2

3rd

4

1st Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:05 Worcester

Soir De Gala

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Took a while to get the hang of hurdling but he's thriving now and he won comfortably at Fakenham (2m4f, good) last month; up 7lb but he still has untapped potential and could follow up.

11/8

40/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 7-P020

Last run: 70 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
0-11 over hurdles; excelled himself when 66-1 second here (2m3f, good to soft; no match for easy winner) in December but struggled when reappearing at Wincanton in February; not the most obvious answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

13:52 Wincanton

Freddie Fleetfoot

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Carroll Gray

Gave good account when close fourth over C&D (good; also suited by soft) in November but was below that form at Taunton last month and is now 0-16 over hurdles; 1lb wrong; others preferred.

16/1

11

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

13:15 Stratford

Freddie Fleetfoot

10st 2lb

J: Miss Thomasina Eyston

T: Carroll Gray

Made the frame twice (2m, soft/good) in spring 2024; now returns from a lengthy absence but he'll have possibilities if ready to roll.

10/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 84-U24

Last run: 107 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner; 0-6 over hurdles but returned from break with good C&D (good to soft) second in December and also ran well when fourth at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; each-way claims at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(3)

19th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 133y

Class 5

14:10 Lingfield

Kings Castle

9st 6lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

Won at Ffos Las (1m2f, good to soft) and Sandown (1m2f, good) last summer, but he wasn't able to build on those victories in three subsequent starts; absent since October but has place claims on this reappearance.

7/1

Form: 577034

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Unexposed after only four hurdling starts and last month's fourth in Wincanton maiden (1m7f, soft) was quite promising; almost certainly needs a bigger performance on today's handicap debut, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Worcester

Basman Palace

11st 1lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Carroll Gray

Off the mark at the 13th attempt under rules at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in March, but finished a well-held fourth of seven at Taunton (3m, good to firm) last month; return to this trip should suit and one for the shortlist.

13/2

6th

5

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Worcester

Basman Palace

11st 1lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Carroll Gray

Off the mark at the 13th attempt under rules at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in March, but finished a well-held fourth of seven at Taunton (3m, good to firm) last month; return to this trip should suit and one for the shortlist.

13/2

4th

6

9th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:25 Taunton

Basman Palace

10st 7lb

J: James Davies

T: Carroll Gray

in rear but in touch with leaders, some headway after 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, weakened approaching last

6/4

Form: 9/568

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Maiden pointer who showed nothing more than minor promise in three novice/maiden hurdles in early part of this year; open to improvement in handicaps but others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:05 Market Rasen

Summerleaze

11st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Started off for Olly Murphy with three hurdle wins this spring (2m6f-2m7f); well beaten on chasing debut in July but travelled strongly for a long way before fading into fourth at Stratford (3m3f, good to firm) last month, and today's drop back in trip looks the right move; shortlisted.

4/1

1

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

17:00 Stratford

Summerleaze

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Started off for Olly Murphy with three hurdle wins this spring (2m6f-2m7f) and also ran well when upped to 3m2f here for next outing; well beaten when ridden much more patiently than usual on last month's chasing debut but runs this track very well and could still have a future over fences.

9/4

Form: 24/5-P

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner over hurdles but made low-key return from 673-day absence when pulled-up 80-1 shot here (2m3f, soft) last month; current ability hard to gauge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

7th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:55 Ffos Las

Beau Haze

10st 6lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Phillip Dando

in touch with leaders on inner

66/1

9

7th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:55 Ffos Las

Beau Haze

10st 6lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Phillip Dando

in touch with leaders on inner

66/1

9th

10

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

19:00 Taunton

Beau Haze

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Phillip Dando

pressed leaders, lost position after 5th, headway 6th, weakened after 3 out

50/1

OUR TIP

Form: 31/5F6

Last run: 42 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Safely held in two French hurdles in early part of season but returned from layoff with more encouraging run at Ludlow (2m, soft) in February, keeping on steadily for sixth; now needs to build on that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

15:50 Huntingdon

Wrong Way Harry

11st 3lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Sophie Leech

held up in rear

25/1

6th

5

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

15:50 Huntingdon

Wrong Way Harry

11st 3lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Sophie Leech

held up in rear

25/1

7th

1

11th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

14:43 Taunton

Wrong Way Harry

12st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Sophie Leech

Safely held in two French hurdles in early part of season but returned from layoff with more encouraging run at Ludlow (2m, soft) in February, keeping on steadily for sixth; now needs to build on that performance.

25/1

Form: 9-57P0

Last run: 65 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Unexposed after only four hurdling starts but was unable to land a significant blow when 66-1 for handicap debut here (2m3f, good; first-time hood) in February; needs to learn to settle better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

20th May 2024

Soft

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:13 Newton Abbot

Hour Star

10st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

With a good stable but is 0-6 over hurdles and has tended to spoil his chance with sketchy jumping and by refusing to settle; didn't achieve a great deal when remote third in uncompetitive Chepstow maiden last month; others are much less risky.

10/1

5th

7

20th May 2024

Soft

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:13 Newton Abbot

Hour Star

10st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

With a good stable but is 0-6 over hurdles and has tended to spoil his chance with sketchy jumping and by refusing to settle; didn't achieve a great deal when remote third in uncompetitive Chepstow maiden last month; others are much less risky.

10/1

3rd

4

26th Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

19:10 Chepstow

Hour Star

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

With a good stable but has tended to spoil his chance with sketchy jumping and by refusing to settle, the last twice in low-grade handicaps; remains a risky option.

25/1

8/1

Form: 4127U5

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Opened account at Wincanton (1m7f, heavy) in January and arguably ran a fair bit better than bare form suggests when a weakening fifth at Hereford (2m, soft) two weeks ago; considered each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

14th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Daany

10st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Joe Tickle

Turned his attention to chasing fairly late in life but made a solid start when second of six at Wincanton in April; didn't back that up when never travelling at Hereford (also 2m, good) nine days ago and has a question to answer after that.

16/1

4

5th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

20:17 Hereford

Daany

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joe Tickle

Four-time hurdle winner, all at around 2m; made a belated switch to fences last month and shaped with plenty of encouragement when runner-up at Wincanton (2m, good), which also represented a return to some form; needs to back that up but he remains well treated and is one to consider.

6/1

2nd

4

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 149y

Class 5

15:27 Wincanton

Daany

10st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Joe Tickle

Three-time Flat winner and successful four times over hurdles; however, hasn't been running all that well under either code following a year on the sidelines and this is a belated first attempt at chasing.

16/1

Form: 21/28- D

Last run: 679 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won run-of-the-mill Chepstow maiden (2m, good) in April 2022, but absent since disappointing handicap run the following June and will probably not be ideally suited by the forecast soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:07 Ludlow

Outback Frontiers

10st 2lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: John O’Shea

Runner-up in a handicap chase here in November but pulled up next time; returns to hurdling (dual winner) from 7lb out of the weights and that's not ideal.

50/1

7

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

16:25 Stratford

Outback Frontiers

10st 4lb

J: James Turner

T: John O’Shea

Won off 8lb higher over hurdles here (2m2f, good) last July but his three chasing attempts towards the end of last year were unconvincing, and he was out of form when back over hurdles this summer.

20/1

Form: -41P05 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won over fences in Ireland last summer (2m, yielding to soft), but well beaten on both hurdling starts for current stable (handicap/novice) and difficult to enthuse over at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

10th Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

16:43 Exeter

Royal Juniper

10st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Helen Nelmes

midfield, headway 11th

20/1

7th

8

24th Sep 2024

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 4

16:15 Fontwell

Royal Juniper

10st 9lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Helen Nelmes

in touch with leaders

9/2

Form: 5985

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Six-time Flat winner (mainly in France); yet to make a splash over hurdles after four attempts, but was not beaten far when fifth in today's headgear combination on recent handicap debut at Fakenham (2m, good) and may yet do better in this sphere; due to be dropped 3lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(2)

11th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

15:30 Leicester

Rebel Angel

10st 0lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: David Pipe

in rear

14/1

5th

3

(2)

18th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Chepstow

Rebel Angel

9st 9lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Pipe

Retains some ability but consistency isn't her forte; drops in trip and she holds each-way claims at a track she's run well at before.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.60
Straight Forecast £10.27
Tricast £40.13
Trifecta £59.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Soir De Gala

Telegraph:

King's Castle

Daily Mirror:

Rebel Angel

D Express:

Wrong Way Harry

RP RATINGS:

Soir De Gala

POSTDATA:

Soir De Gala

WEST COUNTRY:

Soir De Gala

The Times:

Soir De Gala

The Guardian:

Soir De Gala

Daily Mail:

Soir De Gala

The Sun:

Soir De Gala

The Star:

Soir De Gala

Daily Record:

King's Castle