April 24 / 18.25 Taunton

18.25

Good

Dave Criddle Travel Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £6073.15
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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Dave Criddle Travel Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.40

Form: P-4156 CD

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won a C&D novice on good to soft in December but has cut out quickly in his subsequent runs, latterly on handicap debut (soft); has raced keenly and the first-time hood could make a difference; should be on a good mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:30 Newton Abbot

Centara

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Highly progressive over fences in the first half of last season, winning here four times (2m, good to soft/good); 2m5f here appeared to stretch him last month following some time off; has a lower mark to work with back over hurdles and he could play a leading role back down in trip.

7/2

6th

4

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Newton Abbot

Centara

11st 5lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Highly progressive over fences last summer, winning five handicaps (four here) at around 2m on ground no worse than good to soft, though he ended the campaign pulled up at Cheltenham; has since had a second wind op and could find more at this longer trip (2m3f hurdle winner), which will be needed off this mark following a break.

11/2

1

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Centara

11st 12lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Highly progressive over fences, making it five handicap wins for the campaign (2m, good/good to soft) when making all in three-runner race at Newton Abbot last time; further progress is possible but necessary in this warm contest; can jump to the right.

16/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: P7216P D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Both wins have come on soft ground, the handicap over this trip at Hereford in February off 3lb lower; has hit the buffers on his last two starts, with blinkers doing nothing for him last time (joining the tongue-tie he had been wearing with cheekpieces); wears no equipment this time; others safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

14:15 Carlisle

Fourofakind

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Defied higher marks three times in 2024 but his 2025 form took a turn for the worse; chance depends on whether this first start of 2026 results in a turnaround.

20/1

3

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

13:47 Wetherby

Fourofakind

10st 13lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Four-time winner over hurdles but has looked out of sorts on the Flat and over hurdles this year; the new visor did nothing for him last time.

14/1

3

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

13:47 Wetherby

Fourofakind

10st 13lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Four-time winner over hurdles but has looked out of sorts on the Flat and over hurdles this year; the new visor did nothing for him last time.

14/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 658059 D

Last run: 107 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Easily his best run for this yard was his first when runner-up in a big field at last year's Punchestown festival; hasn't been threatening a return to that form and remains best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

6th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:42 Fontwell

Bread And Butter

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Cynthia Woods

Veteran who has been out of sorts for a while now and he's looking sharply regressive.

14/1

5th

8

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

19:50 Fontwell

Bread And Butter

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Cynthia Woods

Five-time hurdle winner (2m3f-2m5f) but his last success was 16 months ago and this veteran has been out of sorts in his last four runs; opposable.

40/1

8th

5

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

16:50 Wincanton

Bread And Butter

11st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Cynthia Woods

Five-time hurdle winner (2m3f-2m5f) but his last success was 16 months ago and this veteran has been out of sorts in his last three runs; opposable.

25/1

Form: 31-P9P D

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
3m was probably stretching it last time in February but didn't go into that race with any recent form, hurdling or on the Flat; back to his last winning mark but with some serious questions to answer at the minute.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 4

15:05 Fontwell

Jaramillo

12st 1lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Won a three-runner contest at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in April but beaten 61l when sixth of seven at Stratford (2m3f, good to firm) five weeks ago; still 6lb higher than his last win and needs to return to form.

8/1

4

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:57 Stratford

Jaramillo

11st 3lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

Came good over fences with easy win in three-runner contest at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in April and stuck to his task pretty well when third of six at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in June; a possible.

5/1

2

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:05 Uttoxeter

Jaramillo

11st 1lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

The outsider of three when off the mark over fences at Newton Abbot in April (2m5f, good) and comfortably beat a course specialist; 7lb rise fair given the authority with which he won.

7/2

Form: P7P4

Last run: 83 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Tailed off back on the Flat 18 days ago after struggling over hurdles; hardly has his tail up going into this handicap debut from 2lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

16:35 Stratford

Galactic Jack

11st 1lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Useful on the Flat in his prime; 0-8 over hurdles but posted best of three runs for new stable (since a long absence) when third at Taunton (2m, good; behind Mi Sueno) last month and is another 1lb lower here; respected.

4/1

3rd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

18:30 Taunton

Galactic Jack

11st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

A useful middle-distance Flat performer, but still a maiden over hurdles after seven attempts and has yet to rediscover his form in two starts since returning from a long absence this season; likely best watched for now.

12/1

4th

7

6th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

16:55 Plumpton

Galactic Jack

10st 8lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Useful on the Flat, won 1m4f Salisbury handicap in 2023 off a mark of 88; more off days than on in the meantime but soft ground no help on recent yard debut after nearly two years off; worth a market check off a very low mark now back on more suitable ground; cheekpieces refitted.

9/1

Form: -226F0

Last run: 116 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Placed in an Irish bumper; has little to boast about in Britain and trailed Centara by some 20l over C&D when last seen in December; doesn't look on a good mark for handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

15:07 Wincanton

Perfect Nelson

11st 12lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Unplaced all five hurdling starts but last month's 36l defeat at Taunton (2m3f) came on heavy ground and after a 659-day absence; no surprise if he gets closer to the target here.

16/1

8th

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:15 Taunton

Perfect Nelson

11st 11lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Runner-up in Irish bumpers (good/yielding) but failed to make an impact in four hurdle starts for this yard in the 2023-24 season, including when 28-1 for soft-ground C&D handicap debut; still has time on his side but would need to see market support to consider after 659 days off.

16/1

6th

8

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

18:25 Taunton

Perfect Nelson

11st 6lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Placed in an Irish bumper; has little to boast about in Britain and trailed Centara by some 20l over C&D when last seen in December; doesn't look on a good mark for handicap debut.

20/1

Form: 6-P225 BF

Last run: 177 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Newbury bumper winner who posted a couple of seconds over hurdles on good ground before disappointing when odds-on for handicap debut in October; rested since then and given a wind op; if back on song this mark should be okay.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:45 Uttoxeter

Iolaos Du Mou

11st 10lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Got off the mark over hurdles at Warwick (2m, good) last May off 6lb lower; may need the run following 11 months off.

16/1

4th

1

9th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:45 Southwell

Iolaos Du Mou

12st 0lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Stella Barclay

Ex-Nicky Henderson; has rediscovered his form since the hood went on and fended off one having its first run for James Owen with the two clear at Warwick (2m, good); 6lb rise is fair.

15/8

Form: P-5244 C

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Chased home - albeit from afar - the well-handicapped Brentford Hope at Newbury in November (good to soft) and that wasn't his first competitive run in handicaps; has his quirks and can race freely, but soft/heavy ground wouldn't have suited the last twice and he returns to the scene of his wide-margin bumper win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

16:45 Perth

Sergeant Wilson

11st 9lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: R Mike Smith

Left Nigel Twiston-Davies for £3,000 in May; easy to back, he was well beaten when sixth of eight on his stable debut over C&D ten days ago.

10/1

6th

4

4th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:48 Perth

Sergeant Wilson

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: R Mike Smith

prominent, raced in second after 2nd

10/1

5th

5

12th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

15:28 Ludlow

Sergeant Wilson

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Temptingly treated on the pick of his handicap form at about 2m on ground not too slow; Taunton last time was disappointing (2m3f, good) but coming back to a sharp 2m will help and could run well if his jumping holds up (can make mistakes).

7/1

Form: 158-0P D

Last run: 70 days

W: 10st 8lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Has lost her way since last March's Ffos Las win on good ground off this mark; hasn't had those conditions since but she was reluctant to line up on her reappearance and then pulled up next time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

18:25 Taunton

Atjima

10st 8lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Has lost her way since last March's Ffos Las win on good ground off this mark; hasn't had those conditions since but she was reluctant to line up on her reappearance and then pulled up next time.

25/1

9

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

18:25 Taunton

Atjima

10st 8lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Has lost her way since last March's Ffos Las win on good ground off this mark; hasn't had those conditions since but she was reluctant to line up on her reappearance and then pulled up next time.

25/1

3

14th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

16:00 Hereford

Atjima

11st 7lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Surprise winner at Ffos Las (2m4f, good) in March but hasn't threatened to win again and she was reluctant to line up when tailed off after a break at Taunton.

16/1

Non-runners

King Of The Road

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.70
Straight Forecast £25.13
Tricast £75.33
Trifecta £89.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

King Of The Road

POSTDATA:

Centara

LAMBOURN:

Iolaos Du Mou

SPOTLIGHT:

Sergeant Wilson

WEST COUNTRY:

King Of The Road

The Times:

King Of The Road

The Guardian:

King Of The Road

Daily Mail:

King Of The Road

D Express:

King Of The Road

Daily Mirror:

King Of The Road

The Star:

King Of The Road

Daily Record:

King Of The Road

The Sun:

Centara

Telegraph:

Iolaos Du Mou