December 12 / 15.50 Taunton

15.50

Good To Soft

Twixmas Meeting 30th December Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 7f 198y
  • Class 5
  • 15 runners
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Twixmas Meeting 30th December Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 8-8301 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Dual novice winner who secured his first handicap in comfortable fashion last week at Ludlow, where it was either the step up to 3m or new cheekpieces that triggered the improvement (perhaps both); goes again here before his new mark kicks in (due a 5lb rise).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

14:52 Taunton

Despereaux

11st 1lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Couple of Class 5 wins since upped to 3m and wearing cheekpieces, latest by 3l at this course; now 8lb higher and back up in grade but could well have more to offer at this trip and in this headgear; respected.

2/1

4th

5

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

14:52 Taunton

Despereaux

11st 1lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Couple of Class 5 wins since upped to 3m and wearing cheekpieces, latest by 3l at this course; now 8lb higher and back up in grade but could well have more to offer at this trip and in this headgear; respected.

2/1

1st

4

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Despereaux

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Jane Williams

Dual novice winner who secured his first handicap in comfortable fashion last week at Ludlow, where it was either the step up to 3m or new cheekpieces that triggered the improvement (perhaps both); goes again here before his new mark kicks in (due a 5lb rise).

4/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 55-211 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Has won her last two handicaps by 6l (2m4f) and 5l (3m; again on good), latterly making all at Market Rasen; essentially just 1lb higher than last time with Beau Morgan claiming 5lb so has to be on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

14

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Happy Index

11st 4lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Olly Murphy

Has won her last two handicaps by 6l (2m4f) and 5l (3m; again on good), latterly making all at Market Rasen; essentially just 1lb higher than last time with Beau Morgan claiming 5lb so has to be on the shortlist.

9/2

2nd

14

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Happy Index

11st 4lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Olly Murphy

Has won her last two handicaps by 6l (2m4f) and 5l (3m; again on good), latterly making all at Market Rasen; essentially just 1lb higher than last time with Beau Morgan claiming 5lb so has to be on the shortlist.

9/2

1st

8

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

Happy Index

11st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

made all

11/4

10/1

  • Place: £6.30

Form: 606

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Placed in points; beaten between 23l and 46l in three hurdles at about 2m but no surprise to see him raise his profile now sent handicapping over further; market could be useful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Badbury Rings

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

Placed in points; beaten between 23l and 46l in three hurdles at about 2m but no surprise to see him raise his profile now sent handicapping over further; market could be useful.

10/1

Form: 92-122

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Has followed his Plumpton win with seconds over 2m5f and 3m, though was beaten 11l off this mark the last time; might be high in the weights but the cheekpieces are new.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

13

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

The Dark Edge

11st 6lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Has followed his Plumpton win with seconds over 2m5f and 3m, though was beaten 11l off this mark the last time; might be high in the weights but the cheekpieces are new.

9/1

4th

13

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

The Dark Edge

11st 6lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Has followed his Plumpton win with seconds over 2m5f and 3m, though was beaten 11l off this mark the last time; might be high in the weights but the cheekpieces are new.

9/1

Form: 440244

Last run: 6 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won two handicaps in Ireland; building some momentum for his new yard and probably needs further than the 2m2f he ran over at Exeter last time (stays 3m); needs considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Brownstone

11st 11lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Won two handicaps in Ireland; building some momentum for his new yard and probably needs further than the 2m2f he ran over at Exeter last time (stays 3m); needs considering.

20/1

5th

2

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Brownstone

11st 11lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Won two handicaps in Ireland; building some momentum for his new yard and probably needs further than the 2m2f he ran over at Exeter last time (stays 3m); needs considering.

20/1

4th

1

6th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

12:25 Exeter

Brownstone

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Grace Harris

Runner-up at Leicester (2m4f, good) last month on second stable start and again ran well when fourth at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) seven days later; won on soft ground in Ireland; could have a part to play.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 27-250 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Consistent last season in winning three times; current wellbeing an issue, as although Cheltenham last time was tough his previous Chepstow run was no better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Wot You Wearing

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Robert Stephens

Versatile as regards trip and ground so no worries on that score; however, diminishing returns since going close at Hereford in October and no real significance in the return of cheekpieces (tried a visor last time).

12/1

11th

3

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Wot You Wearing

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Robert Stephens

Versatile as regards trip and ground so no worries on that score; however, diminishing returns since going close at Hereford in October and no real significance in the return of cheekpieces (tried a visor last time).

12/1

Form: 776583

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Maiden in Ireland; contesting her first handicap on stable debut at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) but questionable what she achieved in finishing a remote third; others safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

31st Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

12:20 Warwick

Broomfield Gale

11st 7lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

in rear

20/1

Form: 532-55

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Hasn't progressed any further since finishing second on her handicap debut, going down by 6l in this new headgear combination last time at Ffos Las; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

15

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Elusiveness

11st 2lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Hasn't progressed any further since finishing second on her handicap debut, going down by 6l in this new headgear combination last time at Ffos Las; others appeal more.

10/1

8th

15

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Elusiveness

11st 2lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Hasn't progressed any further since finishing second on her handicap debut, going down by 6l in this new headgear combination last time at Ffos Las; others appeal more.

10/1

5th

10

20th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 192y

Class 5

15:10 Ffos Las

Elusiveness

10st 13lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Battled on well for second on handicap debut at Exeter (2m2f, good) in April and also stuck to her task when fifth of 15 over that C&D on last month's reappearance; moves up in trip here and could be dangerous if she travels more sweetly in first-time cheekpieces.

7/1

Form: 45-143 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Chasing for his last three races; won from out of the weights at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) and following defeat when well-in perhaps came too soon; ran better to be third over 2m7f here four weeks ago despite a 10lb rise kicking in; capable hurdler and not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

12:25 Exeter

Lock Out

10st 10lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

Began season with win at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft; wore cheekpieces) in October but was not quite in the same form on his next two chase starts and was safely held over hurdles three weeks ago (blinkered, as today); needs to up his game here.

7/1

6

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

12:25 Exeter

Lock Out

10st 10lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

Began season with win at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft; wore cheekpieces) in October but was not quite in the same form on his next two chase starts and was safely held over hurdles three weeks ago (blinkered, as today); needs to up his game here.

7/1

9th

9

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Lock Out

11st 7lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

Chasing for his last three races; won from out of the weights at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) and following defeat when well-in perhaps came too soon; ran better to be third over 2m7f here four weeks ago despite a 10lb rise kicking in; capable hurdler and not ruled out.

14/1

Form: 22-44F D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Not beaten far on stable debut at Hexham in June though was only fourth of six; tailed off next time and then fell mid-race on his return to fences two weeks ago; turns 11 soon and wouldn't be the obvious answer to this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

13:30 Uttoxeter

No Rematch

11st 10lb

J: Miss Imogen Mathias

T: John & Rhys Flint

Fairly useful in his prime but unplaced all four starts for new stable this season, most recently when beaten about 32l at Taunton (3m, good) this month; today's slower ground is a plus but he needs a sudden revival.

33/1

3rd

7

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

13:30 Uttoxeter

No Rematch

11st 10lb

J: Miss Imogen Mathias

T: John & Rhys Flint

Fairly useful in his prime but unplaced all four starts for new stable this season, most recently when beaten about 32l at Taunton (3m, good) this month; today's slower ground is a plus but he needs a sudden revival.

33/1

10th

6

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

No Rematch

11st 9lb

J: Miss Imogen Mathias

T: John & Rhys Flint

Not beaten far on stable debut at Hexham in June though was only fourth of six; tailed off next time and then fell mid-race on his return to fences two weeks ago; turns 11 soon and wouldn't be the obvious answer to this.

25/1

Form: 5-45PP

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Signs of progress in his novices but has pulled up in both handicaps, at 2m5f (tongue-tie) and 2m3f (cheekpieces); hard to be at all confident about him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

11:45 Market Rasen

Just Four Fame

11st 4lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: David Dennis

raced in second, lost ground quickly and reminders after 3 out, soon dropped to rear, tailed off before 2 out

33/1

6th

4

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

11:45 Market Rasen

Just Four Fame

11st 4lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: David Dennis

raced in second, lost ground quickly and reminders after 3 out, soon dropped to rear, tailed off before 2 out

33/1

Form: 03P-95

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Poor in his first two handicaps but this winning pointer ran better over C&D two weeks ago with this headgear combination given a go; that's something to build on and he could get involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Chauffeur Driven

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Won a point but 0-9 under rules and merely plodded on past beaten horses for his remote third over C&D 12 days ago (soft).

8/1

7th

4

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Chauffeur Driven

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

held up in rear

8/1

12th

7

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Chauffeur Driven

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Poor in his first two handicaps but this winning pointer ran better over C&D two weeks ago with this headgear combination given a go; that's something to build on and he could get involved.

16/1

Form: 31-166

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row at Stratford (3m2f/2m6f) in the spring but nothing like so good in two runs since returning from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

14:00 Market Rasen

R Bernard

10st 5lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Mel Rowley

led but pestered, not fluent 7th

25/1

8th

9

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

14:00 Market Rasen

R Bernard

10st 5lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Mel Rowley

led but pestered, not fluent 7th

25/1

13th

16

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

R Bernard

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Mel Rowley

Won two in a row at Stratford (3m2f/2m6f) in the spring but nothing like so good in two runs since returning from a break.

33/1

Form: 11603/ CD

Last run: 1038 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Had a productive spell in 2021 (including wins at 2m3f/3m on good) and the following February finished third of 17 in a 2m3f handicap here (good to soft); on a competitive mark but has been off an awful long time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

1

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Kendelu

11st 11lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Nigel Hawke

Had a productive spell in 2021 (including wins at 2m3f/3m on good) and the following February finished third of 17 in a 2m3f handicap here (good to soft); on a competitive mark but has been off an awful long time.

25/1

Form: -65341 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Has run well in all three handicaps and battled on to edge home in the latest here over 2m3f (good to soft; second run in tongue-tie); has a lot further to go this afternoon and stamina could be an issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Gata Ban

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.90
Straight Forecast £12.57
Tricast £213.53
Trifecta £285.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Despereaux

The Guardian:

Happy Index

D Express:

Badbury Rings

The Times:

Ugo Bingo

Daily Mirror:

Lock Out

Telegraph:

Gata Ban

RP RATINGS:

Despereaux

POSTDATA:

Despereaux

Daily Mail:

Despereaux

The Sun:

Happy Index

The Star:

Happy Index

Daily Record:

Happy Index