February 27 / 14.25 Taunton

14.25

Soft

Royal Bath & West Show Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Royal Bath & West Show Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 3-9751 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Displayed big jolt of improvement on handicap debut 23 days ago, winning readily over C&D (soft); went up 8lb for that but could still have a lot more to offer; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:10 Kempton

Grenadier Jed

10st 6lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Upwardly mobile 6yo; won three handicaps in 2025 and posted another personal best when beaten a head at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) last month, pulling well clear of the third; strong candidate off just 2lb higher.

4/1

2nd

9

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

Grenadier Jed

11st 8lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Progressive 6yo who made it 3-3 in handicaps when keeping on strongly to lead close home on seasonal debut at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) in November; fell mid-race last month but remains very much of interest.

4/1

1st

4

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:25 Taunton

Grenadier Jed

11st 7lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Displayed big jolt of improvement on handicap debut 23 days ago, winning readily over C&D (soft); went up 8lb for that but could still have a lot more to offer; good chance.

7/4

OUR TIP

11/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 46435

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Perhaps a shade disappointing when dropped back to 2m3f at Chepstow recently but travelled strongly for a long way before weakening into third here (3m, good to soft) on last month's handicap debut and remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:25 Taunton

Babatunde

11st 11lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Perhaps a shade disappointing when dropped back to 2m3f at Chepstow recently but travelled strongly for a long way before weakening into third here (3m, good to soft) on last month's handicap debut and remains of interest.

11/2

5th

4

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:55 Chepstow

Babatunde

11st 9lb

J: Miss Thomasina Eyston

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Lightly raced 6yo who travelled strongly for a long way before weakening into third on handicap debut at Taunton (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; today's drop back in trip looks the right move; interesting.

7/1

4

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:55 Chepstow

Babatunde

11st 9lb

J: Miss Thomasina Eyston

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Lightly raced 6yo who travelled strongly for a long way before weakening into third on handicap debut at Taunton (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; today's drop back in trip looks the right move; interesting.

7/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 4P4644

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Gave good account when fourth of 17 at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) six weeks ago and has the services of Harry Cobden today but is 0-11 over hurdles now and others in the line-up have more potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

15:30 Market Rasen

Mr Zee

10st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Michael Blake

Just 2-18 over hurdles but looked back in prime form at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) last month, winning 13-runner handicap by 3l, and a subsequent 5lb rise is not excessive.

9/4

1st

11

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

13:52 Wincanton

Mr Zee

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

Not at his best on his two hurdling starts towards end of last year but now 1lb lower than when winning at Ludlow (2m, good) last spring and won't mind what the weather does.

16/1

Form: 62373-

Last run: 347 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Absent since his keeping-on third in Huntingdon handicap (2m3f, soft; first-time tongue-tie) last March but probably still has potential; contender if fully tuned up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

14th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

19:30 Perth

Colonel Whizz

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-7 over hurdles but suffered an overreach when pulled up on heavy ground last month, and his previous defeat (also on heavy ground) came after a layoff; unraced on good ground since bumper debut in 2023 but moves up in trip for this chasing debut and current mark is workable if all goes to plan; cheekpieces/tongue-tie removed.

4/1

2

14th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

19:30 Perth

Colonel Whizz

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-7 over hurdles but suffered an overreach when pulled up on heavy ground last month, and his previous defeat (also on heavy ground) came after a layoff; unraced on good ground since bumper debut in 2023 but moves up in trip for this chasing debut and current mark is workable if all goes to plan; cheekpieces/tongue-tie removed.

4/1

1

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

14:34 Newton Abbot

Colonel Whizz

11st 12lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

towards rear but in touch with leaders

9/1

Form: 8075P6

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Never looked dangerous when ridden very patiently at Lingfield last month and has now been unplaced all six hurdling starts; considered only if lively in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Missy Mole

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

always behind, still plenty to do when slightly hampered after 9th, tailed off

12/1

6th

9

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Missy Mole

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Runner-up in a point on good going last April and she's yet to tackle such ground in a handicap; could be a lively one.

12/1

Form: 396005

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Irish raider; nothing better than a respectable fifth of 16 on last month's handicap debut at Gowran Park (2m, soft to heavy; first-time cheekpieces) but remains unexposed and is worth a glance in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

7th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:15 Huntingdon

Raby Mere

11st 12lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Caroline Fryer

Back on song in refitted cheekpieces at Southwell (3m, good) in March, his third start for Caroline Fryer, and the form of his respectable fourth at Fakenham (2m7f, good) last month was well advertised by the winner there on Monday; not yet fully exposed as a stayer; probably won't be far away.

4/1

4th

7

13th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 95y

Class 4

14:40 Fakenham

Raby Mere

11st 2lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Caroline Fryer

Returned to peak form in refitted cheekpieces at Southwell (3m, good) three weeks ago, his third start for Caroline Fryer; recent 4lb rise does not look excessive and he also has a course win on his CV; respected.

7/2

1st

4

24th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:30 Southwell

Raby Mere

11st 9lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Caroline Fryer

Two wins last year for Olly Murphy and those were on good ground; beaten 28l and 26l in two runs for current yard, though conditions were soft and good to soft; better can be expected here, though all his notable form is at about 2m4f.

12/1

Form: 94-R70

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Refused at third-last flight on hurdling debut in November and was a never-dangerous outsider on next two outings; moves up from 2m for this handicap debut; significant improvement required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:40 Chepstow

DGesteevo

10st 2lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

No form claims after eight hurdle races, five in handicaps; tongue tied on latest and tried cheekpieces before that; 1lb out of the weights

25/1

9th

13

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Warwick

DGesteevo

10st 8lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

0-7 over hurdles, having been pulled up on last three appearances, and needs first time tongue-tie to make a big difference; cheekpieces (worn for last two races); removed.

25/1

Form: 698-4P

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Fair on the Flat; still unexposed over hurdles but was pulled up in recent Chepstow handicap, after a layoff, and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 16y

Class 5

14:18 Chepstow

Nobody Told Me

10st 6lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Thomas Faulkner

Stayed on for very respectable fourth at Hereford (2m3f, good) this month, his second run in a visor, but is yet to be placed after 11 hurdling starts and needs to find something extra today.

13/2

4th

8

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

15:25 Hereford

Nobody Told Me

10st 6lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Thomas Faulkner

Respectable fifth in similar races at Taunton and Chepstow last month but has yet to place over hurdles after ten attempts.

12/1

5th

11

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:48 Chepstow

Nobody Told Me

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Thomas Faulkner

Didn't run badly when fifth on heavy ground at Taunton (2m3f) last week but he's 0-9 over hurdles now and needs to be perked up by a change of headgear today.

20/1

Form: -61266 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won over fences at Warwick (2m4f, good) last spring and went close in a chase here (2m2f, good to soft) in November; below form at Exeter this month but reverts to hurdling on a tempting mark; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:50 Worcester

Tribesmans Glory

10st 12lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

Won off this mark on good ground at Warwick last May; only effort of note this year was his third at Chepstow in March; others safer.

12/1

5

21st May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:50 Warwick

Tribesmans Glory

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Pulled up on heavy ground on two of last three appearances but between those he ran a big race when third on good ground at Chepstow (2m3f); back on a sound surface today and only 2lb higher than when landing this prize in 2024; respected.

10/1

4th

5

21st May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:50 Warwick

Tribesmans Glory

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

Pulled up on heavy ground on two of last three appearances but between those he ran a big race when third on good ground at Chepstow (2m3f); back on a sound surface today and only 2lb higher than when landing this prize in 2024; respected.

10/1

Form: 68-99

Last run: 83 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Has a lowly mark for this handicap debut but showed nothing more than tiny glimmers of promise when a big-priced outsider for his three qualifying races (all 2m).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

23rd Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:45 Exeter

Break Heart Hill

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Fiona Shaw

Second foal; unraced dam out of French maiden, is granddaughter of useful 5f performer Lady Jester; probably best watched on debut.

66/1

Form: 5P-3P0

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in both handicaps, more recently when last of 12 in C&D race won by Grenadier Jed this month; needs the new tongue-tie to aid massive improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

10th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

14:52 Ludlow

Joker Jack

10st 5lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Claire Hitch

Has no form claims and being 6lb out of the weights is no help; instantly opposed.

100/1

9th

11

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

19:30 Taunton

Joker Jack

10st 5lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Claire Hitch

Pulled up on two of his three starts this season, including on chase debut in February and when tried in this headgear combination back over hurdles last time; has undergone wind surgery since but still looks best watched.

50/1

11

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

15:25 Hereford

Joker Jack

10st 5lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Claire Hitch

Has shown only the odd sign of ability over hurdles and pulled up on chase debut last month; 5lb out of the handicap back hurdling; cheekpieces (tried once) join the tongue-tie of last three starts.

50/1

Form: P007

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Arguably ran a bit better than eventual 22l defeat suggests when seventh over C&D on recent handicap debut and is 4lb lower today but clearly needs to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

20th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:50 Ffos Las

Alderley Charlie

10st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Polly Gundry

Form figures of PFPP over fences and, with a tongue-tie added, he never counted on his return to hurdles at Exeter; opposable.

50/1

10th

13

7th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Alderley Charlie

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Polly Gundry

He'll be glad to see the back of fences after producing form figures of PFPP, not that a case can be made on hurdle exploits; tongue-tie added.

66/1

12

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:05 Exeter

Alderley Charlie

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Polly Gundry

Nine-race maiden with form-figures of PFP since switched to chasing in December; 6lb wrong today; can't be recommended.

50/1

Non-runners

Chester Tonik, Rip Wheeler

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.50
Straight Forecast £3.91
Tricast £13.20
Trifecta £21.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Grenadier Jed

Telegraph:

Rip Wheeler

The Guardian:

Rip Wheeler

RP RATINGS:

Grenadier Jed

POSTDATA:

Grenadier Jed

The Times:

Grenadier Jed

Daily Mail:

Grenadier Jed

D Express:

Grenadier Jed

Daily Mirror:

Grenadier Jed

The Sun:

Grenadier Jed

The Star:

Grenadier Jed

Daily Record:

Grenadier Jed