March 09 / 14.40 Taunton

14.40

Good

DragonBet The Roar Before BOG @ Cheltenham Maiden Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qual)

  • Prize money: £5446
  • 2m 0f 104y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
RTV
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DragonBet The Roar Before BOG @ Cheltenham Maiden Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qual)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.20
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 32

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won a Goodwood maiden for Andrew Balding in June (1m6f, good to firm); improved on first hurdles run when neck second over C&D last time (heavy; hood tried); headgear retained; this faster is ground likely to suit; one with a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

18

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Sandown

Way Of Stars

10st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Prevailed in second-time hood at Taunton (2m, good) most recently, adding to his Flat win, and may have more to offer in the retained headgear; in deeper waters today but could go well.

16/1

1st

11

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Way Of Stars

10st 10lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Won a Goodwood maiden for Andrew Balding in June (1m6f, good to firm); improved on first hurdles run when neck second over C&D last time (heavy; hood tried); headgear retained; this faster is ground likely to suit; one with a chance.

2/1

2nd

10

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:05 Taunton

Way Of Stars

10st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Useful peak RPR of 94 on the Flat for Andrew Balding; ran to a fair level when last of three finishers on Exeter hurdle debut (heavy) eight weeks ago and should prove capable of better, particularly if a first-time hood helps him to settle better through the early stages than he did on that occasion.

100/30

3/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 168-22

Last run: 73 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who then won two handicaps on the Flat for Ralph Beckett, the latest at Haydock (1m6f, good to soft) in October; runner-up on both starts over hurdles, last time finishing 10l second at Kempton (2m, good; third has won since); contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Gnomon

10st 5lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Toby Lawes

Fairly useful Flat racer; runner-up on first three hurdle starts (all 2m) before cruising clear in four-runner Ascot maiden (2m3f, good) last month; could easily have more improvement to come in handicap hurdles; interesting.

7/2

1st

2

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

13:55 Ascot

Gnomon

11st 7lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Bumper winner who then won two Flat handicaps for Ralph Beckett; he's getting there over hurdles judged on his near miss at Taunton (2m, good) and this longer trip could trigger the improvement he'll need to trouble West Hill Verde.

9/4

2nd

4

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Gnomon

11st 6lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Bumper winner who then won two handicaps on the Flat for Ralph Beckett, the latest at Haydock (1m6f, good to soft) in October; runner-up on both starts over hurdles, last time finishing 10l second at Kempton (2m, good; third has won since); contender.

3/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 19 D

Last run: 92 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a four-runner Newton Abbot bumper in October (2m1f, good to soft; form not worked out); not disgraced when 11l ninth of 14 in a mares' Listed event at Huntingdon last time (2m, good); quite interesting now going hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

4th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Warwick

Great Dance

11st 2lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Chester Williams

Bumper winner (good to soft) in October and not disgraced in a Huntingdon Listed contest in December when close behind Babs; encouraging hurdle debut when a close third at Taunton (2m, good) and again ran well when fourth in a 2m5f Haydock Listed contest (first-time tongue-tie) last month; strong claims eased in class and trip.

5/2

4th

4

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 50y

Class 1

14:05 Haydock

Great Dance

11st 2lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Chester Williams

Won a weak bumper at Newton Abbot on debut but was then well held in a Listed race and the form of her close third on hurdle debut at Taunton is nothing to shout about (2m, good); bred for this far but she'd be a surprise winner; tongue-tie added.

33/1

3rd

9

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Great Dance

10st 13lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Chester Williams

Won a four-runner Newton Abbot bumper in October (2m1f, good to soft; form not worked out); not disgraced when 11l ninth of 14 in a mares' Listed event at Huntingdon last time (2m, good); quite interesting now going hurdling.

14/1

Form: P23

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won a 1m4f maiden in the French provinces last May (soft); has run creditably in two C&D maiden hurdles on last two starts (0.75l behind Way Of Stars last time); should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Babyken

10st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Won a 1m4f maiden in the French provinces last May (soft); has run creditably in two C&D maiden hurdles on last two starts (0.75l behind Way Of Stars last time); should go well again.

9/4

3rd

8

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:05 Taunton

Babyken

10st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

First (2m) and second (1m4f) in two Flat runs in France; very disappointing when pulled up on Fontwell hurdle debut in October but more like it with a tongue-tie added (retained) when 17l second to Onlyforfrankie (won decent race at Musselburgh since) over C&D (good) five weeks ago; should be more to come for a leading stable in good form.

100/30

2

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

14:40 Fontwell

Babyken

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Had two Flat runs in France in the spring and he won a 2m maiden (good to soft) before finishing runner-up in a 1m4f conditions event; now switches to hurdling for Paul Nicholls and he's an interesting contender.

13/8

20/1

Form: 65-66

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Strong puller who has shown a little promise in two bumpers and two races over hurdles; more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Bamber

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Strong puller who has shown a little promise in two bumpers and two races over hurdles; more needed.

20/1

6th

2

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

13:05 Newbury

Bamber

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Finished sixth to notable rival in one of his bumper starts and filled same position at Huntingdon on the switch to hurdles; set for similar outcome unless he shows improvement, however.

33/1

5th

5

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Kempton

Bamber

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Alan King

18-1 at Warwick (soft), where he was held up before making up plenty of ground and conceded two places late on; the principals look smart and this 5yo can improve.

50/1

Form: 070

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest efforts in two bumpers; beaten 48l on hurdles debut at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft; 80-1) last month; plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Governors Island

11st 6lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Harry Fry

Modest efforts in two bumpers; beaten 48l on hurdles debut at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft; 80-1) last month; plenty to prove.

33/1

14th

5

25th Feb 2026

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

13:50 Wincanton

Governors Island

11st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Two starts in bumpers; beaten 50l in a good event at Newbury in November and weakened again when seventh of 11 at Exeter (also good to soft) last month; plenty of hurdlers in the family and will probably do better in this sphere.

40/1

Form: 5850

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed a little promise in bumpers for Ed de Giles; well beaten at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft; 50-1) on hurdles debut; more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:12 Ffos Las

King Berry

10st 12lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

Modest form in bumpers (for Ed De Giles) and well held in three 2m maiden hurdles this year, beating one at Newbury last month; tongue tied for his handicap debut with much better required.

11/1

7th

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

13:15 Newbury

King Berry

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Max Comley

Holds weak claims on bumper and hurdles form; should find handicaps more suitable shortly.

100/1

8th

6

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

King Berry

11st 6lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Max Comley

Showed a little promise in bumpers for Ed de Giles; well beaten at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft; 50-1) on hurdles debut; more needed.

25/1

Form: 4P

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ordinary form on the Flat for Marco Botti; not shown a great deal in two runs over hurdles; plenty to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Cantalice

10st 3lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Ella Pickard

Ordinary form on the Flat for Marco Botti; not shown a great deal in two runs over hurdles; plenty to find.

50/1

3

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

13:30 Hereford

Cantalice

11st 2lb

J: Miss Megan Bevan

T: Ella Pickard

Modest on the Flat and was beaten 50l on her hurdles/stable debut at Leicester (soft) in November; blinkers (tried before) go back on.

33/1

5

(1)

19th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 218y

Class 6

15:15 Redcar

Cantalice

9st 4lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

Has beaten only two in three novice/maiden fillies' races; makes turf/handicap debut and cheekpieces worn for the first time on her latest start are persevered with; needs to show more.

9/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found
OUR TIP

Form: 9FP

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed promise on the Flat for Karl Burke, but hasn't shown much in three runs over hurdles, including on first run after wind surgery last time; this better ground may suit but plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:15 Taunton

Famous Shoes

11st 5lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Some promise in brief Flat career but he hasn't shown much in his four runs over hurdles; had wind surgery before penultimate start.

100/1

3

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Famous Shoes

11st 6lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Showed promise on the Flat for Karl Burke, but hasn't shown much in three runs over hurdles, including on first run after wind surgery last time; this better ground may suit but plenty to prove.

25/1

5

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

13:00 Newbury

Famous Shoes

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

No promise in two attempts over hurdles, behind when late faller latest; had wind surgery since.

200/1

Form: 93

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 07

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.20
Straight Forecast £8.27
Trifecta £35.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Gnomon

POSTDATA:

Babyken

SPOTLIGHT:

Way Of Stars

Telegraph:

Babyken

Daily Mail:

Babyken

TOPSPEED:

Gnomon

The Times:

Gnomon

The Guardian:

Gnomon

D Express:

Gnomon

Daily Mirror:

Gnomon

The Sun:

Gnomon

The Star:

Gnomon

WEST COUNTRY:

Way Of Stars

Daily Record:

Way Of Stars