February 12 / 14.15 Taunton

14.15

Heavy

Ross Stacey Still Cannot Cook Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 3f 1y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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Ross Stacey Still Cannot Cook Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

11/8 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.10

Form: /P-801

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Rallied after being headed to lead again towards the finish and make a successful handicap debut at Market Rasen (extended 2m4f, good to soft) in first-time cheekpieces (retained) 11 days ago; escapes a penalty and is 7lb well-in compared to his future mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:48 Carlisle

Cooler Than Me

10st 2lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Three sound runs since cheekpieces went on in February, winning at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft) and Taunton (2m3f, heavy) and finishing second at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft); interesting despite stepping up both in grade and in trip.

7/2

2nd

4

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:16 Taunton

Cooler Than Me

11st 9lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Cheekpieces went on when he won his handicap debut at Market Rasen (2m5f, good to soft) and followed up off the same mark over C&D (heavy; by 8l from Talap) 11 days later, both under Fern O'Brien; 9lb higher this time but surely has a big shout in what looks a weak race.

5/6

1st

7

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:15 Taunton

Cooler Than Me

10st 11lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Rallied after being headed to lead again towards the finish and make a successful handicap debut at Market Rasen (extended 2m4f, good to soft) in first-time cheekpieces (retained) 11 days ago; escapes a penalty and is 7lb well-in compared to his future mark.

11/8

66/1

  • Place: £14.00

Form: 3-3780

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
0-8 over hurdles and beaten 14l or more in all four handicaps; hard to make a case for.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:16 Taunton

Talap

10st 5lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Gordon Edwards

0-9 over hurdles but he has won in other disciplines and his 8l second of ten to Cooler Than Me over C&D (heavy; 100-1) last time was easily his most competitive show as a handicap hurdler; considered for a place.

8/1

2nd

10

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:15 Taunton

Talap

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Gordon Edwards

0-8 over hurdles and beaten 14l or more in all four handicaps; hard to make a case for.

66/1

10th

13

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

13:52 Wincanton

Talap

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Gordon Edwards

0-7 over hurdles; ran well for a long way when eighth from out of the weights over C&D (good to soft) on Boxing Day and is effectively 10lb lower today but his overall profile remains unconvincing.

25/1

10/1

  • Place: £4.70

Form: 9608

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Would have won a 3m Irish point last March but for a last-fence fall but well held in four hurdles for new yard, including when 40-1 for 1m7f Wincanton handicap debut four weeks ago; best watched unless the betting hints that a better showing is anticipated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

18:20 Fontwell

Jackomy

11st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Lightly raced 6yo who justified favouritism in a Wincanton handicap (2m4f, good) last month and followed up with a dominant display at Ludlow (2m5f, good); up another 10lb but his form has really taken off recently and he's open to more progress; big player.

11/8

1st

2

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

15:27 Ludlow

Jackomy

11st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Lightly raced 6yo; well backed and scored comfortably at Wincanton (2m4f, good) last week and looks ahead of his mark, even with a penalty.

4/6

1st

3

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

17:32 Wincanton

Jackomy

11st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Well beaten on handicap debut in January but last month's keeping-on third at Taunton (2m3f, heavy) was much better and further progress is possible if the much faster ground here suits.

5/2

Form: 17P822 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Goes well in the mud, including a 2m4f mares' maiden success on heavy at Uttoxeter in November; runner-up in soft-ground handicaps over the extended 2m3f at Hereford on her last two outings; ought to be in the mix again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:58 Warwick

Gower Spirit

11st 1lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

Won Uttoxeter maiden (2m4f, heavy) in November and has also shown promise in some handicaps subsequently; however, well beaten at Hereford (2m, good) recently and there is a question mark about the forecast good ground.

9/1

8th

3

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

16:37 Hereford

Gower Spirit

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Matt Sheppard

Got off the mark at Uttoxeter (2m4f) in November and comes here in good nick, scuppered by a late blunder when fourth of ten in 2m3f handicap hurdle at Taunton 23 days ago; she must enter calculations eased 1lb.

4/1

4th

1

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:15 Taunton

Gower Spirit

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

Goes well in the mud, including a 2m4f mares' maiden success on heavy at Uttoxeter in November; runner-up in soft-ground handicaps over the extended 2m3f at Hereford on her last two outings; ought to be in the mix again.

11/2

Form: 4PU-67

Last run: 63 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
In contention when stumbled and unseated just after two out in a C&D handicap on heavy ground last February but comfortably held in two handicaps back hurdling towards the end of 2025.
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: 2-9741

Last run: 114 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the 29th time of asking (including Flat) when accounting for six rivals in 2m7f Exeter handicap hurdle (good to firm) under Isabelle Ryder in October; wore cheekpieces and a tongue-tie on that occasion but the former are left off this time; third on soft ground on the Flat but well beaten in three handicap hurdles on soft/heavy; hardly has the profile of one likely to follow up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(2)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

14:00 Chepstow

Stage Show

10st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Alexandra Dunn

This year's hurdling form is uninspiring but he held on gamely to cause 66-1 shock at Salisbury a fortnight ago, his first Flat run since 2024; it's hard to tell whether he'll be in the same mood again here but he's only 2lb higher and this is a slight drop in grade.

4/1

1st

5

(2)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 5

17:03 Salisbury

Stage Show

9st 4lb

J: George Wood

T: Alexandra Dunn

Sole win from 32 starts came over hurdles at Exeter (2m7f, good to firm) in October but he's been held in three starts since and now returns to the Flat for the first time since June 2024.

8/1

6th

5

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:10 Exeter

Stage Show

10st 8lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Alexandra Dunn

Broke his duck over hurdles at the 15th attempt over C&D (good to firm) last October (held up); well below that level next time, when dropped back in trip (heavy) and beaten almost 9l at Wincanton by Square Du Roule latest (3m, good); more needed but not written off.

8/1

Form: 657363

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Modest form over hurdles but last week's C&D third of ten on heavy shows she can be competitive from her mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:40 Taunton

Ask Peter

11st 3lb

J: James Robottom

T: Anthony Honeyball

A fair 1m6f Flat winner but she's yet to match that form in this sphere and came in a below-par seventh in 2m3f handicap here 56 days ago; more is required.

5/1

7th

6

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:15 Taunton

Ask Peter

11st 1lb

J: James Robottom

T: Anthony Honeyball

Modest form over hurdles but last week's C&D third of ten on heavy shows she can be competitive from her mark.

15/2

OUR TIP

Form: 26F06/

Last run: 659 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Irish bumpers (good/yielding) but failed to make an impact in four hurdle starts for this yard in the 2023-24 season, including when 28-1 for soft-ground C&D handicap debut; still has time on his side but would need to see market support to consider after 659 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

15:07 Wincanton

Perfect Nelson

11st 12lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Unplaced all five hurdling starts but last month's 36l defeat at Taunton (2m3f) came on heavy ground and after a 659-day absence; no surprise if he gets closer to the target here.

16/1

8th

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:15 Taunton

Perfect Nelson

11st 11lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Runner-up in Irish bumpers (good/yielding) but failed to make an impact in four hurdle starts for this yard in the 2023-24 season, including when 28-1 for soft-ground C&D handicap debut; still has time on his side but would need to see market support to consider after 659 days off.

16/1

6th

8

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

18:25 Taunton

Perfect Nelson

11st 6lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Placed in an Irish bumper; has little to boast about in Britain and trailed Centara by some 20l over C&D when last seen in December; doesn't look on a good mark for handicap debut.

20/1

Form: -12371 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won at Stratford (2m6f) last May and back on the scoresheet with a stylish success over 2m here five weeks ago; still looks feasibly treated off 6lb higher but those wins were achieved on good and she'll face contrasting conditions afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:15 Taunton

Broomfield Gale

11st 12lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Won at Stratford (2m6f) last May and back on the scoresheet with a stylish success over 2m here five weeks ago; still looks feasibly treated off 6lb higher but those wins were achieved on good and she'll face contrasting conditions afternoon.

11/2

Form: 447-

Last run: 574 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won a couple of points in spring 2024; didn't run too badly in three qualifying runs over hurdles for Carroll Gray in the summer of that year but off since failing to complete in two points last spring.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 5

15:50 Wincanton

All Night Parking

11st 9lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Carroll Gray

Won two points in spring 2024 but he's failed to complete in last four runs including in hurdle handicaps (125-1) in his last two starts; still lightly raced in this sphere but he has a lot to prove back up in trip; cheekpieces added.

100/1

3

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:16 Taunton

All Night Parking

11st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Carroll Gray

Won two points in spring 2024; modest form as a novice over hurdles that summer but failed to complete in two points last spring and it was the same story on handicap debut over C&D (125-1) two weeks ago.

66/1

5

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:15 Taunton

All Night Parking

11st 9lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Carroll Gray

Won a couple of points in spring 2024; didn't run too badly in three qualifying runs over hurdles for Carroll Gray in the summer of that year but off since failing to complete in two points last spring.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £83.60
Straight Forecast £102.61
Tricast £1370.65
Trifecta £1281.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cooler Than Me

Telegraph:

Gower Spirit

D Express:

Broomfield Gale

Daily Record:

Stage Show

RP RATINGS:

Cooler Than Me

TOPSPEED:

Cooler Than Me

POSTDATA:

Cooler Than Me

The Times:

Cooler Than Me

The Guardian:

Cooler Than Me

Daily Mail:

Cooler Than Me

Daily Mirror:

Cooler Than Me

The Sun:

Cooler Than Me

The Star:

Cooler Than Me