April 23 / 19.00 Taunton

19.00

Good To Firm

Dave Criddle Travel Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
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Dave Criddle Travel Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 8-6813

Last run: 280 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Took advantage of a reduced mark when upped to 2m4f at Worcester (good) last July and he backed that up with a close third at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) 16 days later; drops back in trip after nine months off but he's only 1lb higher than last time and is respected on first run since rejoining Fergal O'Brien.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(6)

22nd Sep 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Record Art

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Fergal O’Brien

Improver over hurdles for Fergal O'Brien, winning at Taunton (2m) and Market Rasen (2m4f) in the first half of 2025; 14-1 for his return to the Flat at Yarmouth last month (11.5f, good to firm) and dropped away having been hassled up front; today's longer trip should be in his favour given stamina over hurdles.

10/1

7

(4)

15th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:00 Yarmouth

Record Art

8st 11lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Big personal best over hurdles in June when running away with a 2m5f Market Rasen 0-100 (good; RPR 111); no Flat runs since 2021-22 in France and only ever once beaten under 20l, but British Flat mark appropriately realistic and he's a danger to all if recent cheer translates to this code.

9/4

1st

3

20th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

17:05 Market Rasen

Record Art

12st 0lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won in pretty good style at Taunton (2m, good to firm) in April, having rejoined Fergal O'Brien, and will be fine over this trip, but disappointed when warm favourite at Worcester last month and now has a point to prove.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: -242FP

Last run: 213 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in three maidens (2m-2m4f) last summer but he's failed to complete in last two starts including when back in a handicap at Plumpton (pulled up) in September; hurdling record now stands at 0-12 and has something to prove on his return; change of headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

12th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:05 Southwell

R S Ambush

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

prominent, outpaced after 3 out, rallied before 2 out, pushed along to lead when good jump last, ridden and went clear run-in, comfortably

2/1

1st

4

12th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:05 Southwell

R S Ambush

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

prominent, outpaced after 3 out, rallied before 2 out, pushed along to lead when good jump last, ridden and went clear run-in, comfortably

2/1

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

19:00 Taunton

R S Ambush

12st 0lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Made the frame in three maidens (2m-2m4f) last summer but he's failed to complete in last two starts including when back in a handicap at Plumpton (pulled up) in September; hurdling record now stands at 0-12 and has something to prove on his return; change of headgear.

10/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 68F531 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Four-time Flat winner who got off the mark over hurdles when justifying favouritism in C&D handicap (good to firm; Galactic Glow second) two weeks ago; that was a comfortable success under a prominent ride and a 4lb rise looks fair; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(11)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Goodwood

Taritino

9st 5lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

More wins this year, two over hurdles and two on the Flat (about 1m4f, good), but perhaps found out by a career-high mark at Ascot and Lingfield (back at 1m6f, good to firm) since; probably has work to do again.

16/1

4th

3

(1)

4th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:18 Lingfield

Taritino

9st 13lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Having a fine year with success over hurdles and on the Flat (1m4f; stays this far), while latest fourth at Ascot was very respectable; solid claims.

5/2

4th

4

(10)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 4

16:10 Ascot

Taritino

9st 13lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Has won six races on the Flat at up to 1m6f and this year is going particularly well, with two hurdle wins and now two over about 1m4f on Flat (on good ground at Salisbury and Chester); raised 4lb to career-high mark but should be fine back on good to firm and he's never been better.

13/2

Form: 839P42

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
All of his three Flat wins were in 2023 and he's 0-11 over hurdles; ran well when a 40-1 second over C&D (good to firm) last time but that was behind his stablemate Taritino and he's not certain to back that up; others are more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(8)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Bath

Galactic Glow

9st 4lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Five-time winner who goes well here; his last run needs forgiving but he had been in a good run of form; considered, for all that this is a rare run without any form of headgear.

11/1

7th

4

(4)

9th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

16:26 Chepstow

Galactic Glow

9st 12lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Five-time winner who has been in good form this season and found only one too good over C&D a month ago; could have done without the 2lb nudge but should be involved; has competitive form in the reapplied tongue-tie.

6/1

2nd

5

(9)

8th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

19:36 Chepstow

Galactic Glow

9st 8lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Reliable sort with five wins in the bag; a beaten favourite on his last two starts, his turn may be near once more but he is 2lb higher than his last winning mark.

13/2

Form: 734477

Last run: 169 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Fair 1m2f Flat winner but she's 0-7 over hurdles and has been well held in last three handicaps (2m4f/2m, good); bit to prove but she returns after wind surgery and has possibilities if she can rediscover her spark; one to keep an eye on for Dan Skelton.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

17th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

17:00 Fakenham

Jos Rainbow

10st 12lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Hampered early last time, but unlikely judged on this year's struggles for both her former and current handlers that this would have cost her significantly better; cheekpieces hurriedly replace the visor.

25/1

9

30th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

14:07 Sedgefield

Jos Rainbow

10st 6lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Safely held on both recent starts for new stable (2m2f) and now 0-12 over hurdles; faced fairly tough assignment when third of five from out of the weights last time but still needs a boost from the new visor here.

20/1

5

6th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:12 Stratford

Jos Rainbow

10st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Left Dan Skelton after some below-par efforts this spring/summer and was tailed off on stable debut at Market Rasen (2m2f, good) three weeks ago; 12lb out of the weights and has a lot to prove.

25/1

15/2

Form: 42P

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Tailed off and pulled up in two of his three qualifying runs but he showed ability when runner-up at Ludlow (2m, good) on his second start; returns after another short break and this unexposed 4yo needs watching in market on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

25th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:40 Stratford

Kotgar

10st 9lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

0-11 over hurdles but has shown bits of form when in the frame; doesn't look the most straightforward and goes without headgear worn on last two runs; steps up in trip but beginning to look exposed.

10/1

3rd

5

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:48 Stratford

Kotgar

10st 6lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Mrs C Williams

Safely held when fifth in first-time cheekpieces here (2m, good) last month and now 0-10 over hurdles; upped in trip and tried in a visor today; improvement required.

12/1

5th

9

16th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

14:40 Stratford

Kotgar

10st 12lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

0-9 over hurdles; ended 2025 with two poor efforts and was safely held in March, after a break; needs good boost from first-time cheekpieces.

12/1

Form: -63678

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Creditable third off 5lb higher at Market Rasen (2m, good) last June but he's not matched that form in three runs since and is now 0-11; others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

5th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:48 Ffos Las

Albert Park

10st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

No better for cheekpieces or this headgear combination in his last three races and he's now 0-15; unconvincing.

20/1

4th

8

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

15:08 Newton Abbot

Albert Park

10st 11lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Is 0-14 and he underwent a breathing operation before coming in only tenth of 12 in 2m4f Wincanton handicap 22 days ago; visor is reached for now.

14/1

10th

9

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

17:32 Wincanton

Albert Park

10st 9lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

0-11 over hurdles and absent since pulled up in first-time cheekpieces at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) last summer; needs subsequent wind op to have made a big difference.

20/1

Form: 425461 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Off the mark on his sixth attempt over hurdles when making most in a Kempton handicap (2m, good) three weeks ago; there wasn't much separating the first three but he battled well to come out on top and is open to more progress; respected up 4lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

18:05 Sedgefield

Fine Point

11st 1lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Off the mark for this yard off a 6lb lower mark at Hexham in May (2m, good); not disgraced when third stepped up to 2m4f next time; a possible.

13/2

4

15th Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

20:04 Market Rasen

Fine Point

11st 7lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Adam Nicol

The booking of Patrick Mullins was a likely factor in him going off 6-4f last time at Hexham where he raced freely and didn't last home over 2m4f; had made steady progress for this yard and, back over shorter with Joshua Thompson taking off 5lb, he should be involved.

11/2

3rd

1

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Fine Point

12st 0lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: Adam Nicol

Steady progress since joining this trainer, resuming winning ways over 2m here (good; 7-2, with Malangen third) latest; raised 7lb since, and tackles 2m4f for the first time; noteworthy that Patrick Mullins travels over from Ireland to ride.

15/8

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £57.60
Straight Forecast £60.70
Tricast £108.88
Trifecta £128.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Taritino

Daily Mirror:

Fine Point

D Express:

Jo's Rainbow

POSTDATA:

Galactic Glow

RP RATINGS:

Taritino

The Times:

Taritino

Telegraph:

Taritino

The Guardian:

Taritino

Daily Mail:

Taritino

The Sun:

Taritino

The Star:

Taritino

Daily Record:

Taritino