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

3rd

2

27th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 75y

Class 2

18:12 Newton Abbot

Centara

11st 12lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Paul Nicholls

Free-going front-runner who won four times over C&D early last season including this race; now 4lb lower than for his last success but he's struggled since returning from a break in May and was a long way behind Breaking Cover at Stratford last time; has some questions to answer and he needs to get back on track.

7/1

5th

1

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 2

15:58 Stratford

Centara

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Free-going front-runner who won five 2m chases in early part of last season; comfortably reeled in on both outings since returning from a break this spring, though, and comes here with a point to prove.

5/1

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

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

5th

2

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Fourofakind

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Regressive 7yo who had a disappointing campaign last season; returns from four-month break on a dangerous mark but was soundly beaten on both previous starts here and has quite a bit to prove.

16/1

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

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

8th

5

22nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:25 Worcester

Jaramillo

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Warren Greatrex

Dual hurdle winner whose only win over fences (seven starts) came at the expense of two rivals at Newton Abbot in April 2025 (2m5f, good); last three runs, in particular, leave him with some questions to answer right now.

20/1

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

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

7th

4

(6)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:42 Sandown

Galactic Jack

9st 13lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Well treated on 2023 form but hasn't raced on the Flat for over two years and recent hurdles efforts suggest he's not the same horse now; needs to prove he retains peak ability.

25/1

5th

6

10th Jun 2026

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

16:30 Fontwell

Galactic Jack

11st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Useful on the Flat in his prime; yet to win over hurdles, but has made the frame on his last three starts, since returning from a lengthy absence; down to a career-low mark and holds claims.

9/2

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

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

4

19th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

17:33 Worcester

Iolaos Du Mou

11st 6lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Free-going front-runner; just 1-14 over hurdles but was seemingly back in good form when placed at Uttoxeter (2m, good) last month; could take some catching if he gets into a good jumping rhythm on chasing debut.

8/1

3rd

5

24th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:10 Uttoxeter

Iolaos Du Mou

11st 7lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Just held on to make all off 3lb lower at Warwick (2m, good) last May but, following a layoff, has dropped out quite tamely once headed here on both starts this season.

10/1

6th

3

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:30 Uttoxeter

Iolaos Du Mou

11st 11lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Tony Culhane & Stella Barclay

Made all for a narrow verdict at Warwick in May of last year; neither run since has been quite so good and current wellbeing is an issue.

14/1

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