December 30 / 15.27 Taunton

15.27

Good To Soft

In The Mix Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5967.53
  • 3m 2f 57y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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In The Mix Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 22-321 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent since switched to fences last autumn and drew 15l clear to open account at Wincanton (3m2f, soft) this month; went up 8lb for that but ought to make his presence felt again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

15

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Caeruleum

11st 1lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Has found improvement from somewhere to win back-to-back 3m2f handicaps with seemingly lots to spare, on soft and good to soft; raised in grade here and hit with 10lb for last time, but this 7yo looks firmly on the upgrade.

13/2

10/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 286353 C

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Plugged on for modest third in big-field handicap hurdle at Exeter (2m5f, good to soft) 11 days ago and reverts to fences on a workable mark but has lacked fluency in some of his previous chases and needs to get into a better rhythm today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

23rd Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:50 Newton Abbot

Unspeakable

11st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Returned from break with 36l defeat in April but last month's Fontwell fourth (3m2f, good) was more encouraging and the cheekpieces (worn for the second of last year's two chase wins) are now back on; won't mind if the ground is quicker than good; can't be ruled out.

7/1

4th

6

24th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

15:10 Fontwell

Unspeakable

11st 1lb

J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight

T: Christian Williams

Battled well for narrow win off today's mark at Hereford (3m1f, good; wore cheekpieces) in the autumn but was given break after disappointing effort in December and again ran poorly when reappearing (without cheekpieces) last month; the cheekpieces are missing again here; stablemate Prince Cleni has much stronger claims.

10/1

6th

6

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

15:43 Stratford

Unspeakable

10st 12lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Landed his second success over fences, at Hereford (3m1f, good) in October off 1lb lower mark; second at Plumpton the following month but was tailed off at Wincanton when last seen; has been freshened up since and holds claims if putting his best foot forward.

9/2

10/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 2-3562

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Never looked dangerous before keeping on for modest second at Ludlow (3m, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) last month but remains unexposed over fences and is well handicapped on some of his hurdling form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

3rd Jul 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:05 Newton Abbot

Blackacre

10st 8lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Mrs C Williams

In a new visor he won two C&D handicaps last August; hit and miss since then but the visor in which he has form figures of 115 now belatedly returns.

8/1

5th

7

20th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:50 Ffos Las

Blackacre

11st 4lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Mrs C Williams

In a new visor he won two 3m2f handicap chases at Newton Abbot last August; has looked too high in the weights since then and he's 0-11 as a hurdler; others preferred.

8/1

4

13th Apr 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 5

16:10 Fakenham

Blackacre

10st 6lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Won twice in a visor at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good/good to soft) last summer; untested beyond that trip and absent since respectable second of three in the autumn (without headgear, as today) but current mark is workable if he's fully tuned up.

6/1

Form: 72PP-5

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Ended last season in poor form but travelled well for a long way on reappearance outing a fortnight ago and is now 3lb lower than when going close in this race last year (good to soft); interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

13:53 Fontwell

Unblinking

11st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Robert Bevis

Went close over C&D in May but has become rather unreliable and latest third here was quite remote; still needs respecting in this bad a race.

2/1

2

7th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

15:12 Fontwell

Unblinking

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Robert Bevis

Stayed on from the rear to go close off today's mark over C&D (good) in May but has poor strike-rate in recent years and is unreliable nowadays; chance probably depends upon what mood he's in.

8/1

6

25th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 5

14:37 Uttoxeter

Unblinking

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Robert Bevis

Veteran who was beaten just a neck when last seen at Fontwell (3m2f, good) in May, but he isn't very consistent and has a moderate strike-rate; others preferred.

8/1

Form: -322U3 BF

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Placed three times over fences this season and has conditions to suit here but was a disappointing favourite on latest appearance six weeks ago and is now 0-15 under rules; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Getupearly

10st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Winning pointer; 18 defeats under rules equally divided between hurdles and fences; however, accepted the new cheekpieces when runner-up at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) last time and that run offers hope.

4/1

5th

4

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Getupearly

10st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Winning pointer; 18 defeats under rules equally divided between hurdles and fences; however, accepted the new cheekpieces when runner-up at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) last time and that run offers hope.

4/1

2nd

5

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

18:38 Huntingdon

Getupearly

10st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Winning pointer who is 0-17 under rules and 0-8 as a chaser; he does have placed form in this discipline but his last three efforts have been well below his best, the latest after wind surgery; bit risky with cheekpieces turned to.

2/1

Form: P72113 C

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner this autumn; did it a bit more cosily than neck margin success here (2m7f, good to firm) on latter occasion and subsequent lesser effort on soft ground should not be viewed harshly; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

18:27 Worcester

School For Scandal

10st 8lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Joe Tickle

Five-time chase winner, most recently at Windsor (3m, good to soft) in the autumn; back on a good mark now but he's not easy to predict and has been pulled up on two of his last three outings (bled from the nose last time); others preferred.

16/1

7

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

School For Scandal

10st 9lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Joe Tickle

Two more chase wins in 2025, the latest at Windsor (3m, good to soft; suited by good) in November; often battled with unsuitable ground over the winter but 4lb lower than at Windsor so has a weights chance.

10/1

Form: -4P844 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Not beaten far when fourth in Fakenham marathon (3m5f, good to soft; form well short of his best) eight days ago and remains well handicapped on old form; others look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 57y

Class 5

15:27 Taunton

Marettimo

11st 7lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Bill Turner

held up in rear, slow jump 2nd, headway 13th, weakened before 3 out

20/1

7th

5

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 57y

Class 5

15:27 Taunton

Marettimo

11st 7lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Bill Turner

held up in rear, slow jump 2nd, headway 13th, weakened before 3 out

20/1

7

22nd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 5f 24y

Class 4

14:13 Fakenham

Marettimo

10st 8lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

Returned from long absence with fairly encouraging run at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) in October but has looked out of sorts since and has a lot more to prove than some of these.

33/1

Form: -U5637

Last run: 162 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
0-19 under rules; placed twice over fences here last season (2m2f/2m5f) and is unexposed over this sort of trip but we haven't seen her since a below-par hurdle run in July.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

17:17 Newton Abbot

Sevenofus

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Carroll Gray

0-16 under rules (including eight chase runs) but came second over hurdles here (2m5f, good) in April and also ran very well in eventful C&D chase won by Ryder's Rock in May; 5lb wrong today but not out of this if last month's wind op makes any positive difference.

10/1

3rd

6

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:18 Newton Abbot

Sevenofus

10st 12lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Carroll Gray

Twice placed over fences (0-7) and twice runner-up over hurdles this year; latest run wasn't her best (also over hurdles) but she goes on all ground and the form is there to feature.

8/1

3rd

6

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:18 Newton Abbot

Sevenofus

10st 12lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Carroll Gray

Twice placed over fences (0-7) and twice runner-up over hurdles this year; latest run wasn't her best (also over hurdles) but she goes on all ground and the form is there to feature.

8/1

Form: -49124

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 5yo who made winning chase/handicap debut at Huntingdon (2m7f, good; first-time cheekpieces) in October and ran well in defeat at Warwick (3m1f, good; no headgear) last month; below form when last in action but has cheekpieces refitted and remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

1st Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Worcester

Touchwoodexpress

11st 0lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Resumed winning ways at Newton Abbot (3m2f) last September but below par all three subsequent runs, beating one in a 3m2f Warwick handicap four weeks ago; needs to take a big step forward.

20/1

7th

5

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Warwick

Touchwoodexpress

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Absent since two below-par runs in November but returned from a break to win five-runner contest at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in September, and is now back on the same mark; seems best on good ground but once won a point on soft; can't be ruled out.

11/1

4

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

15:37 Ludlow

Touchwoodexpress

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Achieved more on RPRs for his Newton Abbot 3m2f class 5 win last time (good) than Arctic Angel did for hers, despite bleeding from the nose; up just 2lb and he's hugely unexposed as a handicap hurdler.

2/1

OUR TIP

Form: 7-3354

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Began chasing career with two pretty good thirds in October (3m/3m1f, good) and is now 2lb lower but two slightly disappointing efforts have followed and he needs a boost from the new cheekpieces here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:20 Stratford

Ballynaheer

11st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Dennis

Landed his fourth win over fences, at Market Rasen (3m, good) last month but below his best at Fontwell since; is the type to bounce back and he should get the trip (has won over 3m2f).

5/1

5th

1

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:45 Fontwell

Ballynaheer

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: David Dennis

Progressive 7yo who has form figures of 1221141 over fences since September; only two completed when he scored at Market Rasen (3m, good) 19 days ago but he still looks on a workable mark and his first chase win was over C&D; strongly respected.

7/2

1st

3

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:23 Market Rasen

Ballynaheer

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: David Dennis

In excellent form on good ground in the autumn, winning three times over fences (3m1f-3m2f); well behind Dangerous Touch when reappearing in four-runner race at Huntingdon last month but might have needed that outing and his usual cheekpieces are refitted here.

3/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.30
Straight Forecast £14.15
Tricast £55.71
Trifecta £77.80

Selections

The Guardian:

School For Scandal

RP RATINGS:

Touchwoodexpress

Telegraph:

Blackacre

Daily Mail:

Caeruleum

The Times:

Unspeakable

WEST COUNTRY:

Getupearly

D Express:

Sevenofus

SPOTLIGHT:

Unblinking

POSTDATA:

Touchwoodexpress

Daily Record:

Blackacre

Daily Mirror:

Caeruleum

The Star:

School For Scandal