April 23 / 17.25 Taunton

17.25

Good To Firm

League Of Friends Musgrove Hospital Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4955.32
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 4 runners
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League Of Friends Musgrove Hospital Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £2.75

Form: 215

Last run: 194 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Showed plenty of promise on hurdling debut when runner-up in big field at Listowel (2m, good to yielding) last June; made all when landing the odds at Worcester (2m, good) in September and he had a tough task in Grade 2 at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) in final run in the autumn; had wind surgery since and he's a big player back in much calmer waters on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Worcester

Handlethekettle

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Didn't take to fences when tailed off on his penultimate run but he then made all for a 5l defeat of Ukantango over C&D to make it 3-5 over hurdles; a 5lb rise is fair enough with the promise of more to come.

5/2

6

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Worcester

Handlethekettle

10st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Low-mileage 6yo with 2-4 strike-rate in maiden/novice hurdles last season; tailed off in three-runner race when switched to fences for last month's handicap debut but now quickly reverts to hurdling; should still have potential.

4/1

2

22nd May 2025

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

14:05 Ffos Las

Handlethekettle

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Won two minor hurdles on either side of his remote fifth in the Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow in October, last time making all at Taunton (2m3f, good to firm) after wind surgery; likely that he's held in some regard and brings plenty of potential to chasing.

5/6

Form: 2-6124 C

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Good-ground bumper winner who made it second-time lucky over hurdles when justifying favouritism here (2m, good to soft) in November; beaten around 9l over C&D (runner-up) and at Newbury (2m3f handicap) since but those were solid enough efforts and he still has potential for Paul Nicholls; respected with cheekpieces removed back in a novice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

17:25 Taunton

Jackpot Des Bordes

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

raced in second, not fluent 6th, lost second 3 out, soon struggling, went second before 2 out, kept on but no match for winner

10/11

2nd

2

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

17:25 Taunton

Jackpot Des Bordes

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

raced in second, not fluent 6th, lost second 3 out, soon struggling, went second before 2 out, kept on but no match for winner

10/11

4th

9

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 183y

Class 3

14:05 Newbury

Jackpot Des Bordes

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Won a good-ground bumper in November last season and a novice at Taunton (2m, good to soft) one year later on his second start over hurdles; turned over when 4-6 back at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in December but he mostly jumped better and it was creditable form; needs extra for this handicap debut but early days and he has first-time cheekpieces.

9/1

Form: 0/6-PP

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in three bumpers and, after a long absence, he's been pulled up in two hurdle runs here (2m3f/2m) this year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

17:25 Taunton

Hectors Hope

11st 5lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

raced in third, briefly went second 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, jumped right last

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: 96

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Single-figure prices in two runs this year but he was beaten 39l in a Wincanton bumper (1m7f, good to soft) and was further adrift on hurdling debut there (2m, good) last month; plenty to prove and needs a transformation upped in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

16th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

16:38 Uttoxeter

Bara Tara

10st 6lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Struggled to get competitive in three maiden/novice hurdles for Fergal O'Brien in the spring; makes stable/handicap debut from a lowly mark but still needs last month's wind op to have made a big difference.

40/1

5th

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Bara Tara

11st 3lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Flat-bred 5yo who was well beaten in a bumper and two hurdles (1m7f/2m3f) last season; needs addition of tongue-tie to make a massive difference.

25/1

5th

1

9th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

17:30 Hereford

Bara Tara

11st 3lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Flat-bred 5yo who was well beaten in a bumper and two hurdles (1m7f/2m3f) last season; needs addition of tongue-tie to make a massive difference.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £2.60
Straight Forecast £3.02
Trifecta £8.70

Selections

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Telegraph:

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D Express:

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TOPSPEED:

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POSTDATA:

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The Times:

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The Guardian:

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Daily Mail:

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Daily Mirror:

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Daily Record:

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