February 18 / 15.05 Taunton

15.05

Soft

South West Rail Solutions Ltd Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4955.32
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
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South West Rail Solutions Ltd Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 057

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Triple-figure prices and has made no serious impact in a bumper and two maiden hurdles (2m and 2m3f) for new yard; he does have ability but handicaps loom.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

14:37 Wincanton

A Great Excuse

11st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

Early casualty behind Touquet two runs ago and 2m3f looked too far for him last time out, but he appeared value for a greater rise than 5lb for his Lingfield success (2m, good to soft; Touquet over 1l third) before all of that; remains of interest.

4/1

3rd

3

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 51y

Class 5

15:30 Catterick

A Great Excuse

11st 11lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

Off the mark on third chase start when scoring at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) in December; fair run over this trip at Ffos Las on previous start but he fell last time out; a possible on earlier form.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 7549

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a point bumper last spring; has not done badly in two maiden hurdles this winter but plenty more needed to be a win contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

4th Jun 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:00 Uttoxeter

Bells Of Ufford

11st 6lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tim Vaughan

Consolidated rather than improved upon previous best efforts during last season, despite the addition of cheekpieces; remains on a tempting mark, but significant rain wouldn't be welcomed.

8/1

4th

8

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

Bells Of Ufford

11st 1lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Tim Vaughan

0-8 over hurdles but came second over C&D (good) last spring and made pleasing seasonal debut when fourth at Uttoxeter (2m, good; first-time cheekpieces) in October; well beaten on soft ground twice since but gets back on a quicker surface today and is on a good mark now; tongue-tie refitted.

16/1

Form: 52-153

Last run: 157 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won 1m5f AQPS event at Vichy last spring and in the second of two hurdle runs at Auteuil (2m1f, very soft) in September he had two behind him who have gone on to better things; sold 120,000euros in September; goes without his usual hood/tongue-tie; very interesting for yard that's 27% at Taunton in the last five years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

13:25 Fontwell

Catch On Me

11st 5lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

French Flat winner who has hung right and occasionally been inclined to jump that way; sets a clear standard on either of his last two placed efforts at about 2m4f, though, and there won't be any excuses dropping back in distance.

7/4

2nd

3

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 4

13:20 Plumpton

Catch On Me

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

French Flat winner; 0-5 over hurdles but showed marked improvement when finishing a 2.75l third at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) last month; entitled to come on again; leading contender returned to a maiden.

7/4

3

18th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

15:05 Taunton

Catch On Me

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won 1m5f AQPS event at Vichy last spring and in the second of two hurdle runs at Auteuil (2m1f, very soft) in September he had two behind him who have gone on to better things; sold 120,000euros in September; goes without his usual hood/tongue-tie; very interesting for yard that's 27% at Taunton in the last five years.

3/1

Form: 1-437

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner on heavy last March; should have more to come in handicap hurdles but he was well held on first attempt at that level, at Windsor (2m4f, soft) last month, so claims are not obvious back in a maiden.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:50 Chepstow

Devon Dude

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Mrs C Williams

Disappointing over fences this season (four attempts) and never really recovered from bad, first-flight error when back over hurdles last month; on dangerous mark for this first venture beyond about 2m6f, though, and has first-time cheekpieces and Harry Cobden enlisted; interesting.

14/1

2

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 163y

Class 5

16:10 Hereford

Devon Dude

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Evan Williams

Bumper winner who looked a promising hurdler last season when runner-up three times; hasn't taken to chasing this term and now switches back to hurdles; Harry Cobden looks to be a notable booking.

7/1

7th

2

20th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

15:32 Leicester

Devon Dude

11st 13lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Three good runs in maiden hurdles at up to 2m4f last spring but he's fallen, been pulled up and finished remote in three chase runs this winter; big turnaround needed for the step up in trip.

25/1

Form: 02

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Narrow runner-up in sole Irish point last January; needed the run on bumper debut but fared much better switched to hurdles at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) last month when a close second to a useful Flat racer; can improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

11th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:47 Southwell

Duffry Trixs

11st 13lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Maiden winner and up to winning a handicap off this mark as he was a clear second last time at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft); thereabouts.

7/2

2nd

2

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

15:05 Fontwell

Duffry Trixs

12st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Battled well to win Taunton maiden (2m3f, good to soft) last season but has not been in the same form in any of his four handicaps this term (2m4f-3m); drops back in trip here; needs to up his game.

10/1

6th

7

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

16:42 Newbury

Duffry Trixs

11st 10lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Maiden winner; only six ran when a 10l third in his first handicap (2m7f, good to soft) but should really have run better since then, for all that he was back over 2m4f.

16/1

Form: 955

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in three Irish points; no market strength behind him in any of his three hurdle runs, doing best when beaten about 16l at Hereford in December; yard has a better chance with The Final Word.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

22nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

16:25 Hexham

Fortunate Fella

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Henry Hogarth

Signed off for Paul Nicholls in good form, winning a 2m3f good-ground chase at Fontwell where he was in front a good way out before holding on; just 4lb higher; bought for £40,000.

5/1

2

15th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:40 Fontwell

Fortunate Fella

12st 0lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Paul Nicholls

Still a maiden but looks set to make a better chaser after finishing a close second over C&D three weeks ago (good); stayed on well that day from off the pace and might well go one better.

15/8

2

15th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:40 Fontwell

Fortunate Fella

12st 0lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Paul Nicholls

Still a maiden but looks set to make a better chaser after finishing a close second over C&D three weeks ago (good); stayed on well that day from off the pace and might well go one better.

15/8

Form: 3 BF

Last run: 79 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Involved in a tight finish in sole Irish point in late 2023, with one who has done well over hurdles since, but not seen again until running as though needing the run in a Carlisle bumper in December; interesting prospect for hurdles and a main contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

5th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

17:42 Hereford

Maximum Offers

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Beat the only other finisher by 35l over C&D (good) last month on third chase attempt and second start in cheekpieces; open to further progress in this sphere and warrants respect up just 2lb.

5/2

1st

1

16th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

16:22 Hereford

Maximum Offers

11st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Good-ground hurdle winner; jumped better on second run over fences when third on soft ground at Wincanton (3m1f; first-time cheekpieces) and these conditions should be more to his liking; off for three months but should have every chance.

Evs

Form: 73

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won Irish point in early 2024; he dropped right out when favourite for a Chepstow bumper in October but showed his true colours when a taking third to a smart one on C&D hurdle debut (soft) last month; said to have made a respiratory noise there and now tongue tied; looks promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

18th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

15:05 Taunton

The Final Word

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Won Irish point in early 2024; he dropped right out when favourite for a Chepstow bumper in October but showed his true colours when a taking third to a smart one on C&D hurdle debut (soft) last month; said to have made a respiratory noise there and now tongue tied; looks promising.

9/4

3rd

11

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

12:45 Taunton

The Final Word

11st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Bought for £70,000 soon after his winning Irish point debut (yielding ground) in February; disappointing when favourite for a Chepstow bumper in October but he now switches to hurdling over this longer trip and it wouldn't be a surprise if he left that latest form well behind; stablemate of George Henry.

5/1

3rd

11

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

12:45 Taunton

The Final Word

11st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent

5/1

Form: 74

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran well for a long way on Chepstow bumper debut in November but he didn't get near enough to the winner on his hurdle debut at Hereford to fancy for this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

17:00 Hereford

Tongaknoxie

10st 12lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Lightly raced 6yo but he's not shown a great deal and was pulled up on chase debut over C&D (good to soft) in January; had wind surgery since but he needs a transformation after a short break; tongue-tie added.

10/1

7th

8

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:58 Worcester

Tongaknoxie

11st 1lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Displayed minor promise when fourth on hurdling debut at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) in December; two less encouraging runs followed towards end of last season but improvement is possible in handicaps this term.

13/2

4th

6

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:30 Chepstow

Tongaknoxie

11st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Minor encouragement in November's Hereford 2m4f hurdling debut fourth (backwards step since) and ought to have something to offer at this trip or further, albeit likelier in handicaps after this.

100/1

Form: 83764

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Has been a weak finisher off modest marks in handicaps at around this trip and has a lot of work to do back in a maiden.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:25 Worcester

Auntie Maggie

11st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Won three handicap hurdles within the space of four runs last year (all at 2m on goodish ground) and the last of those was off this mark; may have needed the run last time after a break and showed some aptitude for fences when an 18l third at Uttoxeter in October.

2/1

5th

8

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:45 Uttoxeter

Auntie Maggie

11st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Won three around this time last year, latest over C&D (good to soft); beaten four times since, the last two over fences; switches back to hurdles and worth a look in the betting.

12/1

1

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:25 Worcester

Auntie Maggie

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

In good form over hurdles this spring, making all three times (2m, good/good to soft); recent efforts suggest the handicapper may have her measure now but, nevertheless, she can give this a good shot from the front if she jumps well on her chasing debut.

5/1

Form: 2-447

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Early promise in bumpers was followed by respectable efforts in first two hurdles, the latest after wind surgery; needs a healthy step forward though and handicaps will offer more scope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

5th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:15 Warwick

Briery Bee

11st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

Looked quite promising in bumpers last spring and is still unexposed over hurdles but was beaten about 38l on last month's handicap debut at Hereford (2m3f, good) and will clearly need a much better performance here.

20/1

7th

5

5th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:15 Warwick

Briery Bee

11st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

Looked quite promising in bumpers last spring and is still unexposed over hurdles but was beaten about 38l on last month's handicap debut at Hereford (2m3f, good) and will clearly need a much better performance here.

20/1

7th

2

10th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:20 Hereford

Briery Bee

11st 11lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

Promise in bumpers last spring; respectable efforts in her first two hurdle races (wind surgery in between); no show when remote on latest but it's possible that she's about to show more now that she goes handicapping.

9/1

Form: 6

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won soft-ground point bumper in November but she was easy to back and dropped right out on her hurdle debut at Exeter last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

Mistletoe

11st 9lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Joe Tickle

Point bumper winner and was second in a Fontwell mares' novice hurdle (2m5f, good) in April; still went off 80-1 for handicap debut at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) and went out like a light.

33/1

1

4th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:35 Newton Abbot

Mistletoe

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Joe Tickle

Won a point bumper last November (soft); showed little on her first two rules starts before improving to be 6l second in a Fontwell mares' novices' hurdle (2m5f, good) in April; failed to back that up at Worcester (2m4f, good) latest, giving her a bit to prove again.

12/1

1

4th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:35 Newton Abbot

Mistletoe

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Joe Tickle

Won a point bumper last November (soft); showed little on her first two rules starts before improving to be 6l second in a Fontwell mares' novices' hurdle (2m5f, good) in April; failed to back that up at Worcester (2m4f, good) latest, giving her a bit to prove again.

12/1

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Final Word

LAMBOURN:

Maximum Offers

The Guardian:

Catch On Me

POSTDATA:

Devon Dude

Daily Mirror:

Catch On Me

RP RATINGS:

The Final Word

The Times:

The Final Word

The Sun:

The Final Word

The Star:

The Final Word

Daily Record:

The Final Word

Telegraph:

Maximum Offers

Daily Mail:

Maximum Offers

D Express:

Maximum Offers