December 12 / 12.35 Taunton

12.35

Good To Soft

Kings College Taunton Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
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Kings College Taunton Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.60
  • Place: £2.00

Form: -59211 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Bids for a hat-trick, having won 2m events at Uttoxeter and Ludlow (beat Badlands Boy) the last twice; may improve further at this level and Ned Fox takes off a useful 5lb; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

12:35 Taunton

El Vigaro

11st 8lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Matt Sheppard

Bids for a hat-trick, having won 2m events at Uttoxeter and Ludlow (beat Badlands Boy) the last twice; may improve further at this level and Ned Fox takes off a useful 5lb; shortlisted.

3/1

1st

5

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

12:35 Taunton

El Vigaro

11st 8lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Matt Sheppard

Bids for a hat-trick, having won 2m events at Uttoxeter and Ludlow (beat Badlands Boy) the last twice; may improve further at this level and Ned Fox takes off a useful 5lb; shortlisted.

3/1

1st

4

25th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

14:15 Ludlow

El Vigaro

11st 2lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

disputed lead early, prominent from 2nd, led narrowly 3rd, faced challenge 4 out, shaken up and went clear 2 out, ridden out run-in, reduced lead towards finish, always doing enough

7/4

9/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 6-13F4 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at Stratford (2m) in June; has performed creditably in both completed starts since, latest here (2m3f); solid contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

12th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

16:45 Stratford

Getmetothemoon

10st 5lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

Two of her three wins have been here and the other was at Plumpton, another sharp left-handed track; on a handy mark and her record when fresh is eye-catching; considered.

9/1

6th

7

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:52 Ludlow

Getmetothemoon

10st 7lb

J: James Robottom

T: Anthony Honeyball

Stratford (2m, good) winner in October off 4lb lower and possibly bettered that when a close third at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) last month, before appearing to find the drop back to 2m a little sharp at Taunton last time; more likely needed again.

8/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 55845- BF

Last run: 290 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
0-5 over hurdles last term; however, has proved fairly useful on the Flat since, scoring three times, and faced a difficult task in the November Handicap most recently; very attractively treated back under this code and Freddie Mitchell's valuable 5lb claim is a bonus; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

28th Aug 2026

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

17:15 Fontwell

Kotari

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Regressive on the Flat and has 0-8 strike-rate over hurdles; not beaten far when fifth in first-time visor (now removed) on latest Flat start in June and returns to this code on a workable mark but others have more appealing profiles.

8/1

5th

8

(1)

5th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Bath

Kotari

8st 13lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Hasn't won since recording a three-timer in 2024; last of six on return to action at Salisbury (1m4f, good) last month when favourite; has dropped to a career-low mark and first-time visor goes on; may be worth another chance.

13/2

25/1

Form: 52P7-7

Last run: 67 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Made the frame several times for previous yard but looks exposed as a modest maiden; well held on debut for new stable; opposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

12

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:17 Chepstow

Mini Yeats

10st 11lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Gave good account when fourth at Taunton (2m, good) in December, his second start for Tim Vaughan, but last month's Ffos Las run was a backward step and he's now 0-13 over hurdles; cheekpieces removed; tongue-tie added.

16/1

8th

22

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:58 Ffos Las

Mini Yeats

10st 5lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Maiden but has hit the frame and was beaten under 5l at Taunton last time (2m, good) when shaping as though a stiffer stamina test was needed.

13/2

8th

22

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:58 Ffos Las

Mini Yeats

10st 5lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Maiden but has hit the frame and was beaten under 5l at Taunton last time (2m, good) when shaping as though a stiffer stamina test was needed.

13/2

Form: 796

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Maiden on Flat in Ireland; has failed to land a blow in three hurdles starts for new yard but may do better now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(3)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:30 Carlisle

As Fast As Wind

9st 0lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Consistent over hurdles for current yard; successful in last two Flat turf attempts, latest at Musselburgh (12.5f, good) last month returned to this code; 1-1 over 1m6f and warrants respect.

11/4

1st

1

(1)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

14:40 Musselburgh

As Fast As Wind

9st 9lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Tristan Davidson

Won over 1m6f at Salisbury (good to soft) for Daisy Hitchins last summer; has been running creditably in defeat over hurdles since joining Tristan Davidson, including placed twice here; leading claims back on the Flat in a race where her rivals have something to prove.

6/4

3rd

6

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

15:25 Newcastle

As Fast As Wind

10st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Ready Kempton winner (2m novices' handicap, good) for Daisy Hitchins last October; consistent for Tristan Davidson (366233), giving her best when a close third in the Sea Pigeon Series Final at Musselburgh (2m1f, good to soft) recently; 2lb higher but bang there with repeat.

2/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4447-

Last run: 232 days

W: 11st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Has something to find on hurdles efforts; however, good chance off current mark provided best Flat form, which includes a 2024 hat-trick, is transferred back to this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(11)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Goodwood

Taritino

9st 5lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

More wins this year, two over hurdles and two on the Flat (about 1m4f, good), but perhaps found out by a career-high mark at Ascot and Lingfield (back at 1m6f, good to firm) since; probably has work to do again.

16/1

4th

3

(1)

4th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:18 Lingfield

Taritino

9st 13lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Having a fine year with success over hurdles and on the Flat (1m4f; stays this far), while latest fourth at Ascot was very respectable; solid claims.

5/2

4th

4

(10)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 4

16:10 Ascot

Taritino

9st 13lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Has won six races on the Flat at up to 1m6f and this year is going particularly well, with two hurdle wins and now two over about 1m4f on Flat (on good ground at Salisbury and Chester); raised 4lb to career-high mark but should be fine back on good to firm and he's never been better.

13/2

Form: 1-424 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won bumper on debut; 0-14 on Flat and 0-3 in this sphere since but could go well off this mark on handicap hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(9)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Bath

Basilette

9st 7lb

J: George Downing

T: Seamus Mullins

A winner over hurdles in July; capable on the Flat off this sort of mark, winning here in May and last time beating all bar a lightly raced rival at Salisbury (1m6f, good); should give another good account.

9/4

2nd

5

21st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 44y

Class 6

19:57 Salisbury

Basilette

9st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Seamus Mullins

A winner over hurdles in July; capable on the Flat off this sort of mark and won at Bath in May; should give a good account; goes on all ground.

4/1

3rd

1

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

17:08 Stratford

Basilette

12st 5lb

J: Daniel Sansom

T: Seamus Mullins

Runs this track well and posted career-best hurdling performance when scoring over C&D (good to firm) a week ago; 7lb penalty gives her a big weight to carry today but, nevertheless, she has strong claims.

15/8

Form: 344-00

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Ended last season in a consistent vein of form but has posted two duck eggs this term; doesn't look set to shed maiden tag.
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

50/1

Form: 9965-U

Last run: 112 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Slipped and unseated rider mid-race when last seen; has weak claims on the rest of his form; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:07 Newton Abbot

Zufal

10st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Jimmy Frost

0-11 over hurdles; did not achieve a great deal when remote third over C&D (good) last month and needs combination of refitted tongue-tie and first-time cheekpieces to generate improvement.

33/1

3rd

6

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

19:27 Newton Abbot

Zufal

10st 11lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

Well beaten here on both outings this year (2m5f/2m1f) and has now been unplaced all ten hurdling starts; difficult to enthuse over.

33/1

4

13th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

20:25 Newton Abbot

Zufal

11st 1lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

Yet to be placed from ten starts under rules and was pulled up here (21.5f, good) when last seen in April; hard to fancy.

20/1

Form: 755P/6

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Seemed to need the run at Fontwell (handicap debut; back from long absence) last month, shaping better than bare result; well treated on bumper form; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

12:35 Taunton

Card Dealer

11st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Seemed to need the run at Fontwell (handicap debut; back from long absence) last month, shaping better than bare result; well treated on bumper form; not ruled out.

8/1

10th

9

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

12:35 Taunton

Card Dealer

11st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Seemed to need the run at Fontwell (handicap debut; back from long absence) last month, shaping better than bare result; well treated on bumper form; not ruled out.

8/1

6th

2

8th Nov 2024

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

15:45 Fontwell

Card Dealer

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Promise in points/bumpers; makes his handicap hurdle debut at a low level but he's been absent for 982 days which is an obvious negative; had a wind op during his layoff.

10/1

Form: P9-602

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Nine-race maiden who ran well in first-time cheekpieces at Ludlow most recently, finishing 1l second to El Vigaro; may build on that effort; possibilities in the retained headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

31st Jan 2025

Soft

1m 7f 145y

Class 5

14:35 Catterick

Badlands Boy

11st 8lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Maiden who showed patchy form over hurdles and was well beaten last time, but he was a good second at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) two starts ago in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) and his trainer's horses often make better chasers; this 6yo is not ruled out.

12/1

6th

2

31st Jan 2025

Soft

1m 7f 145y

Class 5

14:35 Catterick

Badlands Boy

11st 8lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

towards rear but in touch with leaders, weakened after 2 out, hit last

12/1

11th

10

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

12:35 Taunton

Badlands Boy

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Nine-race maiden who ran well in first-time cheekpieces at Ludlow most recently, finishing 1l second to El Vigaro; may build on that effort; possibilities in the retained headgear.

10/1

Form: 5-2375

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Placed twice in May; has failed to progress in two handicaps since returning from a layoff; needs to raise his game to defy top weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Impecunious

11st 12lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: I Chanin

Two wins for Chris Down last year, latest at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) off 3lb lower; well-held fourth of seven on stable/seasonal debut at Worcester (2m5f) but ran well for a long way; worth considering with that run behind him.

7/1

4th

3

9th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

19:07 Warwick

Impecunious

11st 12lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: I Chanin

Won twice when trained by Chris Down last year; resumes following 293 days off for new trainer; betting will be best guide to his chance.

8/1

Form: 368-F9

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Never figured in C&D novice race last time, taking record to 0-7; however, looks interesting off reduced mark back in a handicap, with improvement still possible at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

12th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

19:00 Newton Abbot

Siam Park

11st 7lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Joe Tizzard

4-9 over fences but yet to win in 11 starts over hurdles, although he went close under Rian Corcoran when runner-up at Worcester (2m, good) two weeks ago; up 2lb for that effort but still 3lb lower than his chase mark and another bold bid can be expected.

7/2

2nd

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Siam Park

12st 0lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Joe Tizzard

4-9 over fences but has departed mid-race in his last two chases and now reverts to hurdling off a 5lb lower mark; 0-10 in this discipline but he has been placed and could go well.

4/1

3

13th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

18:30 Newton Abbot

Siam Park

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

He's 4-8 over fences and fell in two of the defeats, including last time when he was still travelling nicely four from home; likely to be bang there if avoiding the mistakes.

11/4

Non-runners

Mill Street

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £36.00
Straight Forecast £39.73
Tricast £68.49
Trifecta £98.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kotari

POSTDATA:

Mill Street

D Express:

Taritino

The Star:

El Vigaro

RP RATINGS:

Getmetothemoon

WEST COUNTRY:

Mill Street

Daily Mail:

Mill Street

Daily Record:

Mill Street

The Times:

Kotari

Telegraph:

Kotari

The Guardian:

Kotari

The Sun:

Kotari

Daily Mirror:

Taritino