January 17 / 15.50 Taunton

15.50

Good To Soft

Support Retraining Of Racehorses (ROR) Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5967.53
  • 2m 7f 3y
  • Class 5
  • 14 runners
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Support Retraining Of Racehorses (ROR) Handicap Chase

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £14.40
  • Place: £4.10

Form: 2/2-64

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Nine-race maiden; 2m3f was perhaps too short when beaten 29l on chase debut a month ago and his previous defeat over hurdles was after an absence; there are reasons to believe he can up his game here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:42 Ffos Las

Bataillon

12st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Unable to justify warm favouritism when well-held fourth at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last month but will appreciate this ease in grade, and the form of his breakthrough win at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) has worked out well; big player if back on song.

6/1

4th

9

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:40 Wincanton

Bataillon

11st 2lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Beaten 13l into second at Taunton latest (2m7f, heavy) but still consolidated the form of his previous C&D win there (again under Jack Stenhouse) on ground closer to today's; shortlisted despite another 3lb rise.

5/2

2nd

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

14:50 Taunton

Bataillon

11st 12lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Relished the step back up in trip when overhauling Ted The Thief from the last over C&D (good to soft) under Jack Stenhouse last month on just his second start over fences; today's ground (which he acts on) should place even more emphasis on stamina, which promises to suit him; gets the vote.

7/2

3/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 94-843

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer; early days with this yard and as a chaser; close up in 2m5f/3m2f handicaps the last twice and looks a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:43 Exeter

Ted The Thief

11st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Has done well since joining Robert Walford and breezed home at Taunton (2m7f, heavy), gaining revenge on the horse who beat him the time before; a 7lb rise might not be too damaging and he goes on good to soft; could be hard to beat.

8/13

1st

10

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

14:50 Taunton

Ted The Thief

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Winning pointer; has made a positive start for the Robert Walford stable, including second to Bataillon over C&D on good to soft last time; likely to figure prominently again but seemingly outstayed by his reopposing rival on that occasion and today's ground conditions are likely to place even more emphasis on stamina.

4/1

2nd

13

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Ted The Thief

10st 5lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Winning pointer; early days with this yard and as a chaser; close up in 2m5f/3m2f handicaps the last twice and looks a player.

3/1

20/1

  • Place: £8.20

Form: 4/333P

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Each-way claims on her good-ground form but even good to soft seems troublesome and she's not a certain stayer over this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

Sweet Nightingale

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Polly Gundry

Went chasing late in her career but she's making a good fist of it and was going best from some way out when winning at Exeter (3m, good) in March; no blame attached for defeat next time and she didn't appreciate the 3m2f trip at Fontwell recently; a sharp 3m should suit; close up.

11/4

3rd

7

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:45 Fontwell

Sweet Nightingale

10st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Polly Gundry

Made the breakthrough over fences with 10l win at Exeter (3m, good) last month; was beaten by 10l when third of four at Plumpton (3m2f) last time but that was behind two progressive 6yos and her jockey went for home a circuit too soon; still has potential as a staying chaser and she's in the mix off same mark as last time.

3/1

3rd

2

5th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

14:20 Plumpton

Sweet Nightingale

11st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Polly Gundry

1-10 over hurdles and now 1-6 as a chaser after drawing clear for a 10l success at Exeter (3m, good); raised 7lb for winning that weak contest but there's no depth to this, either.

15/8

Form: -P1417 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
There's a bit of all or nothing about him but he's won two of his last four races and could shrug off his poor effort last time; not handicapped out of it; runner-up in this last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

18:27 Worcester

School For Scandal

10st 8lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Joe Tickle

Five-time chase winner, most recently at Windsor (3m, good to soft) in the autumn; back on a good mark now but he's not easy to predict and has been pulled up on two of his last three outings (bled from the nose last time); others preferred.

16/1

7

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Warwick

School For Scandal

10st 9lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Joe Tickle

Two more chase wins in 2025, the latest at Windsor (3m, good to soft; suited by good) in November; often battled with unsuitable ground over the winter but 4lb lower than at Windsor so has a weights chance.

10/1

Form: 53P453 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Both British wins have been in staying handicap hurdles but he won over fences in Ireland; a good run in this discipline behind School For Scandal at Windsor in November (first-time blinkers) but he's looked a hard ride in his last two races.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Worcester

Edgewell

10st 8lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Nick Scholfield

Logged a third chase win this year when keeping on well at Newton Abbot last month (3m2f, good); at least one race per month since November speaks to his resilience, but it's noticeable that he's been kept to sharp tracks since pulling up at Exeter eight months ago.

5/2

1st

2

23rd Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:50 Newton Abbot

Edgewell

11st 8lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Nick Scholfield

Suffered dip in form after pair of 3m1f Hereford wins towards end of last season but seemed to run well when third of four at Fontwell (3m2f, good; headgear switched) a fortnight ago and is now 2lb below his last winning mark; enters calculations.

7/1

Form: 6-3FP3

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Still a maiden and questionable what he achieved with a well-held third at Fontwell the last time; that was on heavy ground and a less taxing surface would assist, but others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

13th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 5

19:12 Uttoxeter

Daring Plan

10st 6lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

0-18 under rules but has gone close on several occasions; runner-up at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) in March; unseated around halfway last time; place claims.

8/1

6

3rd Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:30 Newton Abbot

Daring Plan

10st 6lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sue Gardner

Placed twice over shorter this year, runner-up at Fontwell (2m5f) last time; one of the main players on recent form but is no certainty to go one better, being 0-23 overall and not a certain stayer back up in trip.

5/2

Form: /887/5

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Dual point winner; first run under rules since 2022 when beaten 13l in a 3m handicap hurdle in December (raced freely); finished tailed off on only previous run over regulation fences in Ireland; unconvincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Holkham Hall

10st 6lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Gordon Treacy

Dual point winner; first run under rules since 2022 when beaten 13l in a 3m handicap hurdle in December (raced freely); finished tailed off on only previous run over regulation fences in Ireland; unconvincing.

25/1

7th

9

24th Nov 2022

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:05 Lingfield

Holkham Hall

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Paul Henderson

125-1, tailed off in a novice hurdle at Fontwell on recent stable debut, taking record to 0-10 (points/rules).

100/1

8th

3

13th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

12:30 Fontwell

Holkham Hall

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Paul Henderson

raced in last, shaken up after 3 out, pushed along and minor headway before 2 out, behind and no chance approaching last

66/1

OUR TIP

Form: -46143 D BF

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Regularly ridden by Lucy Turner, as when winning twice over 3m at Ludlow (good to soft/soft) last February and again at Uttoxeter (3m, good) in October; good runs have followed and another one is highly likely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Faitque De LIsle

11st 10lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: James Evans

Regularly ridden by Lucy Turner, as when winning twice over 3m at Ludlow (good to soft/soft) last February and again at Uttoxeter (3m, good) in October; good runs have followed and another one is highly likely.

4/1

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Faitque De LIsle

11st 4lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: James Evans

Won twice over 3m at Ludlow in February and looked back in very good nick when scoring readily by 4l at Uttoxeter (3m, good) this month; recent 6lb rise does not look excessive; respected.

11/4

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

15:47 Stratford

Faitque De LIsle

11st 4lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: James Evans

Won twice over 3m at Ludlow in February and looked back in very good nick when scoring readily by 4l at Uttoxeter (3m, good) this month; recent 6lb rise does not look excessive; respected.

11/4

Form: 583218 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 9lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Second and first in small-field handicap chases at about this trip at Huntingdon before a heavy defeat there just before Christmas; remains on a realistic mark if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

28th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Worcester

Zacony Rebel

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Won from well out of the weights at Ludlow and off only 3lb higher he followed up at the expense of three rivals (3m, good), taking his record there to 3-5; has another 6lb rise to contend with but has won here and has to be taken seriously.

13/2

1st

5

10th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:27 Ludlow

Zacony Rebel

11st 1lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Veteran who bounced back with 33-1 success from well out of the weights over C&D (good) most recently, taking Ludlow record to 2-4; just no certainty to follow up, having been inconsistent for a while.

7/2

1st

8

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Zacony Rebel

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Won a five-runner handicap at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) in December but this veteran has struggled in five subsequent runs; has lots to prove and he's a long way out of the weights.

40/1

Form: 0-2482 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Runner-up over hurdles last time in November (2m4f, good) but he's an infrequent winner who can be inconsistent; has won over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

19th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:40 Newton Abbot

Watchoutitscookie

10st 3lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

1-12 as a chaser; good and bad in his last six races over hurdles, finishing tailed off in the last two; risky.

8/1

11th

12

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:37 Perth

Watchoutitscookie

10st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

2m4f hurdle and 2m7f chase winner (once each) from 35 races; his last win was in 2024 but bits of form this year, including penultimate start, give him an each-way chance.

10/1

7th

10

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:50 Hexham

Watchoutitscookie

10st 6lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

2m4f hurdle and 2m7f chase winner (both good to soft); has struggled with consistency, but a leading player if reproducing his latest third of eight at Exeter last month.

9/2

10/1

Form: -2236P

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
No closer than 6.5l in five runs over fences but had made a pleasing start in this discipline only to underperform the last twice; cheekpieces tried last time are removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Lough Owel

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: D Summersby

No closer than 6.5l in five runs over fences but had made a pleasing start in this discipline only to underperform the last twice; cheekpieces tried last time are removed.

10/1

3

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

16:15 Fontwell

Lough Owel

11st 4lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: D Summersby

No match for clear winners when second on last two outings, the latter over C&D, but they were both pretty good efforts and today's forecast slower ground might suit him better; one to consider.

6/1

1

7th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

15:12 Fontwell

Lough Owel

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: D Summersby

0-8 over hurdles; made quite promising chase debut when second of five at Worcester (2m7f, good) three months ago but we haven't seen him again since and he probably needs to improve here.

7/2

Form: 73P-47

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Respectable fourth on seasonal/chase/handicap debut at Lingfield (2m7f, good) but failed to build on that promise at Leicester; remains a relatively unexposed 6yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 996-77

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
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: 07PP-P

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Showed little over hurdles at up to 2m7f and again on his switch to fences at Exeter; very opposable from out of the weights with cheekpieces tried.
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

Non-runners

Staff Sergeant Len

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £48.50
Straight Forecast £30.93
Tricast £456.77
Trifecta £523.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ted The Thief

LAMBOURN:

Edgewell

Telegraph:

Watchoutitscookie

The Guardian:

Faitque de L'Isle

D Express:

Steal The Moves

TOPSPEED:

Daring Plan

POSTDATA:

School For Scandal

RP RATINGS:

Ted The Thief

The Times:

Ted The Thief

Daily Mirror:

Ted The Thief

The Sun:

Ted The Thief

The Star:

Edgewell

Daily Record:

Watchoutitscookie

Daily Mail:

Faitque de L'Isle