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

7

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

18:10 Fontwell

Taritino

11st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Joe Tickle

Looked as good as ever when winning readily by 7l at favourite track Taunton (2m3f, good) three weeks ago and is now 3-19 over hurdles; 7lb higher here but still respected in current mood.

5/1

1st

8

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

18:00 Taunton

Taritino

10st 12lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Joe Tickle

Landed a 'hands and heels' event over C&D in March and respectable efforts in two subsequent starts, latterly when second off this mark at Exeter (about 2m2f, also good; Green Sky tailed off) on Friday; on the premises again if this doesn't come too soon.

5/1

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

3rd

7

(6)

23rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Windsor

Galactic Glow

9st 8lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Bath/fast ground specialist who wasn't too far away from landing a fifth win at that track when runner-up (1m2f) last Wednesday on his return from a break; effective elsewhere too and should go well.

7/2

2nd

3

(6)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

20:12 Bath

Galactic Glow

9st 7lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Four-time C&D winner who returns here off a workable mark; on the downside, he's been absent for four months and doesn't have a convincing record when fresh.

8/1

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

5th

5

25th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

16:00 Hereford

Kotgar

10st 3lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Has failed to build on an encouraging reappearance at Ffos Las in October, finishing tailed off in November and pulled up the following month; absent since, but returns on a handy mark, albeit with something to prove.

12/1

9

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:32 Warwick

Kotgar

10st 11lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

0-6 over hurdles but shaped well and made quite encouraging reappearance at Ffos Las (2m, good) last month; 4lb lower here and can feature if that run brought him on.

20/1

9

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:32 Warwick

Kotgar

10st 11lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

0-6 over hurdles but shaped well and made quite encouraging reappearance at Ffos Las (2m, good) last month; 4lb lower here and can feature if that run brought him on.

20/1

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

1st

4

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:50 Hexham

Fine Point

11st 11lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Built upon satisfactory stable debut and ran big race before weakening into third at Kelso (2m2f, good; first-time cheekpieces) last month; remains on a good mark and should cope with the forecast slower ground here; likely contender.

11/4

3rd

6

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:30 Kelso

Fine Point

11st 4lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Got off the mark over hurdles at Kempton last April off 2lb higher when trained by Nigel Hawke; ran as if he needed the run when fourth of six finishers at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) 19 days ago on his stable debut after eight months off; sports first-time cheekpieces and has to be of interest.

7/2

4th

6

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

14:40 Sedgefield

Fine Point

11st 2lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Gained a breakthrough victory at Kempton (2m) last April but he was largely below par after for Nigel Hawke, only tenth in 2m Uttoxeter handicap hurdle last July; returns after eight months off for a yard well among the winners, though, so no surprise to see him play a more prominent role.

12/1

+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