January 08 / 13.45 Taunton

13.45

Soft

Summerfield Developments Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7023.73
  • 2m 0f 12y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
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Summerfield Developments Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sleet

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 26-322 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler who took well to fences towards end of last year; runner-up to next-time winners at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) and Hereford (2m, good to soft) on last two outings and ought to be right in the thick of things again here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

18:37 Chepstow

Torneo

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Jumping let him down in what was effectively a 0-150 handicap here latest (2m3f, good to soft); his string of low-130s RPRs before that read well in tonight's company, however, and although still 9lb above any mark defied he did land a C&D novice handicap last year on one other visit.

Evs

6th

3

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:32 Chepstow

Torneo

10st 8lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Jamie Snowden

Competitive in all his runs this season but has edged up the weights in the process and all his form is at about 2m; may need to find improvement for this longer trip if he's to defy current mark in this competitive a contest.

7/1

4th

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

13:10 Kelso

Torneo

11st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Two wins during last season's novice chase campaign (2m, soft/good) and runner-up on three of his four starts this season, most recently going close at Windsor (2m, soft) behind a progressive winner; climbing the weights in defeat but leading claims today nevertheless.

9/4

7/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 43-264

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
0-16 over fences for previous two trainers but made the frame on two of her three hurdling starts for Evan Williams in the autumn and is still on a workable mark for this return to chasing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

9th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 219y

Class 4

15:15 Plumpton

Its Easy

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Twice well beaten since winning by a huge margin at Bangor in November (2m4f, heavy; four ran); she's another who loves the mud (good to soft the last twice) so should give her running if nothing else.

8/1

7th

3

18th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 44y

Class 2

14:40 Fakenham

Its Easy

11st 0lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Evan Williams

Doubled chasing tally with huge-margin success in four-runner contest at Bangor (2m4f, heavy) in November and made audacious bid from the front before weakening into eighth in big field at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) last month; didn't run particularly well on her previous visit to Fakenham but could take some catching if she gets into a good rhythm.

5/1

5th

5

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 62y

Class 3

16:30 Cheltenham

Its Easy

10st 13lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Took a good while to win over fences and that was in a four-runner race at Leicester (2m4f, soft; 2lb lower); held by Lime Drop on their clash in January and could have run better last time.

10/1

Form: 2223-3

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo; placed on all three hurdling starts last season and made good start to chasing career when close third in quite competitive race for the grade at Hereford (2m, good to soft) last month; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

14th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Largy Force

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Progressive mare who has form figures of 21212 since joining Olly Murphy; edged out by a next-time-out winner (pair 19l clear) at Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft) last time and still looks well treated after a 3lb nudge.

5/4

2nd

2

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

15:45 Uttoxeter

Largy Force

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Progressive mare who has form figures of 2121 since joining Olly Murphy and she kept on well to beat a clear second at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) last month; this is a different test at this new trip but she has quite a bit of stamina in pedigree and still looks on a workable mark; respected.

7/2

1st

4

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

15:35 Wetherby

Largy Force

11st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Progressive since joining this yard, winning at Uttoxeter (2m4f, heavy) in December before close second in warm mares' handicap at Windsor (2m4f, soft); drops back down in grade today and could play a leading role.

11/4

Form: 911/25 BF

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Won twice over hurdles in spring 2023 (2m2f, soft/good) and returned from long absence with good second in October (2m2f, heavy); below form after racing too freely last time (2m3f) but remains one to be interested in and this drop back in trip could be a good move on chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 12y

Class 4

13:45 Taunton

Any Biscuits

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Won twice over hurdles in spring 2023 (2m2f, soft/good) and returned from long absence with good second in October (2m2f, heavy); below form after racing too freely last time (2m3f) but remains one to be interested in and this drop back in trip could be a good move on chasing debut.

7/2

4th

5

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 12y

Class 4

13:45 Taunton

Any Biscuits

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Won twice over hurdles in spring 2023 (2m2f, soft/good) and returned from long absence with good second in October (2m2f, heavy); below form after racing too freely last time (2m3f) but remains one to be interested in and this drop back in trip could be a good move on chasing debut.

7/2

5th

3

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

14:35 Hereford

Any Biscuits

11st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Aided by addition of tongue-tie when winning twice over 2m2f towards end of 2022-23 season (soft/good) and, following a long absence, he ran a big race in defeat at Stratford (2m2f, heavy) last month; may still have more improvement to come; leading contender.

6/4

Form: 102-14 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
2-7 over hurdles, the latter win gained at Bangor (2m, good) last May, but was tailed off (albeit in stronger race than this) on chasing debut in November and ideally needs the ground to dry out here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

21st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Warwick

Commanding View

10st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Reverted to hurdling with pretty good effort at Exeter (2m, good) last month and is back down to a workable mark now but needs to rebound from a below-par run at Bangor four weeks ago.

8/1

7

21st May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Warwick

Commanding View

10st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Reverted to hurdling with pretty good effort at Exeter (2m, good) last month and is back down to a workable mark now but needs to rebound from a below-par run at Bangor four weeks ago.

8/1

6th

9

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

19:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Commanding View

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Won a good-ground handicap here last May (2lb lower) and had those conditions when not beaten far in a small field last time at Exeter; shouldn't be far away.

8/1

Form: 09-PPP

Last run: 77 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Pulled up off lowly marks in all three handicaps, the last twice over fences (3m1f/3m2f); dropped markedly in trip with tongue-tie added here; hood removed; can't be recommended from 18lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:25 Worcester

Fox Wallace

10st 5lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Ella Pickard

Has lost her way badly since her win/place form over fences last summer; cheekpieces tried last time are swiftly removed; couldn't trust.

14/1

7

5th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

20:17 Hereford

Fox Wallace

10st 6lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Ella Pickard

2m1f chase winner at Stratford a year ago but has largely struggled to reproduce that level, including after wind surgery; continues to ease in the weights and cheekpieces are enlisted, but others arrive with much more persuasive credentials.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: /71465

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Three-time hurdle winner over 2m5f; very respectable sixth in higher-grade company on chasing debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in November and drops back in trip after looking stretched by 3m1f over hurdles last month; could be dangerous if first-time cheekpieces have desired effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

15:32 Bangor-on-Dee

Gris Majeur

11st 6lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Got off the mark over fences at Ludlow (2m4f, good to firm) last October and has been placed on all five starts since; drops back in trip which may not be in his favour.

7/2

3rd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Gris Majeur

11st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Triple hurdle winner who made the breakthrough over fences in a Ludlow handicap (2m4f, good to firm) in October; that was a four-runner race but he's been placed in four runs since including when runner-up at Chepstow (2m7f) 11 days ago; should go well again and all of his wins have been on good/good to firm.

9/2

2nd

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Gris Majeur

11st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Triple hurdle winner who made the breakthrough over fences in a Ludlow handicap (2m4f, good to firm) in October; that was a four-runner race but he's been placed in three runs since including over 3m at Taunton; should go well again and it would be a positive if the ground dries out.

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.90
Straight Forecast £17.21
Trifecta £48.10

Selections

The Times:

Torneo

SPOTLIGHT:

Largy Force

RP RATINGS:

It's Easy

The Sun:

Commanding View

The Star:

Any Biscuits

Telegraph:

Torneo

Daily Mail:

Torneo

Daily Mirror:

Torneo

Daily Record:

Torneo

LAMBOURN:

Largy Force

The Guardian:

Largy Force

POSTDATA:

It's Easy

D Express:

It's Easy