Taunton Race 1 - Racing To School Celebrates 25 Years Novices' Hurdle (Gbb Race) (Div 1)
KINGS CHAMPION (2) made an eye-catching debut when trained by Paul Nicholls. Stepped forward for Olly Murphy gaining a comfortable win last time out at Ayr by 12L. Different task now penalised however looks above average. CREST OF STARS (1) always travelled well here at the start of January when getting off the mark with hurdles scoring by 7.5L. Stable in good form and must be respected. TALK TO THE MAN (9) made a big impression in his Irish point to point. Wasn't disgraced tackling two jumpers flat contests. Hurdling was always going to suit this gelding and he cannot be ruled out. Watch the market for newcomer ANGEL WAVE (3).
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Weight: 74kgs
Stats
Comments
Impressive in recent runs. Last start favourite; won by 7 len this track on January 8 over 3300m defeating Explode with 73.5kg at $2 in a hurdle. Race before raced on the pace then finished third of 8 starters at Plumpton on December 1 over 3200m, slow track; 12 len behind General Briar with 70kg at $2.20. Definite winning chance. Major player again.
Last Starts 26 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 08/01/2026 | 38 | MHDLE 4U | $18,150.00 | Taunton | 3319m | Good | Sam Twiston-Davies | 73.5kg | 4:12.57 | 1-1-1 | 0 |
| 7.5L | $2.00 |
| 3/8 | 01/12/2025 | 33 | HDLE 4U | $16,510.00 | Plumpton | 3218m | Soft | Sam Twiston-Davies | 70kg | 4:06.21 | 2-3-3 | 0 |
| 12.0L | $2.20 |
| 1/11 | 29/10/2025 | 192 | HUNT FLAT MDN 45 | $9,070.00 | Newton Abbot | 3419m | Good Soft | Sam Twiston-Davies | 71kg | 4:17.63 | 1-1-1 | 0 |
| 1.8L | $8.00 |
| 2/3 | 20/04/2025 | 109 | HUNT FLAT 46 | $7,380.00 | Market Rasen | 3332m | Good | Brian Hughes | 67kg | 4:10.96 | 3-2-2 | 0 |
| 7.0L | $1.50 |
| 9/16 | 01/01/2025 | - | LR OPEN 4 | $46,130.00 | Cheltenham | 3382m | Soft | Jonathan Burke | 70kg | 4:22.02 | 15-11-12-11-9-9-9 | 0 |
| 12.0L | $12.00 |
Jockey: S Bowen
Weight: 74kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today. First-up finished third of 8 runners at Market Rasen on November 13 over 3300m, 9 len behind Japetus carrying 71.5kg at $2.90. Last start favourite; won by 12 len Ayr on January 2 over 4100m slow track defeating Sleedagh carrying 72.5kg at $3.80 in a hurdle. Gets a chance to win. Off the mark now and is sure to feature in the finish again.
Last Starts 32 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/11 | 02/01/2026 | 50 | MHDLE 4U | $18,150.00 | Ayr | 4123m | Soft | Sean Bowen | 72.5kg | 5:08.14 | 3-1-1 | 0 |
| 12.0L | $3.75 |
| 3/8 | 13/11/2025 | 210 | MHDLE 4U | $12,700.00 | Market Rasen | 3319m | Good Soft | Sean Bowen | 71.5kg | 4:15.94 | 8-6-3 | 0 |
| 9.0L | $2.88 |
| 3/10 | 17/04/2025 | - | HUNT FLAT 46 | $14,150.00 | Ffos Las | 3218m | Good Soft | Freddie Gingell | 71kg | 3:46.40 | 3-1-3 | 0 |
| 3.8L | $4.00 |
Jockey: Dylan Johnston
Weight: 71kgs
Stats
Comments
Five-year-old gelding by Gentlewave out of Angel Face has taken a long time to make it to the track. Having his first start today. Making race debut here. Tough to line up and betting is likely to provide the best guide.
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Weight: 71kgs
Stats
Comments
Third race start today. At very long odds at debut, finished eighth of 12 runners at Exeter on November 17 over 3300m, 28 len behind Harry Lowes carrying 70kg at $401. Last start finished 12th of 14 runners at this track on December 11 over 3300m, 47 len behind Knock Off Soxs with 67.5kg at $251. Take on trust. Prepared to risk here.
Last Starts 54 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/14 | 11/12/2025 | 24 | HDLE 4U | $16,510.00 | Taunton | 3319m | Good | Cameron Iles | 67.5kg | 4:05.82 | 12-11-12 | 0 |
| 47.0L | $251.00 |
| 8/12 | 17/11/2025 | - | HDLE 4U | $12,700.00 | Exeter | 3319m | Good Soft | Charlie Deutsch | 70kg | 4:11.98 | 8-8-8 | 0 |
| 28.3L | $401.00 |
Jockey: Ben Jones
Weight: 71kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 44 day let-up. Last run pulled up at Fakenham on December 21 over 4000m. The run before fell at this track on November 27 over 3300m. Might find this a bit too tough.
Last Starts 44 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99/6 | 21/12/2025 | 24 | MHDLE 4U | $11,800.00 | Fakenham | 4023m | Soft | Conor Ring | 71.5kg | 5:13.85 | - | 0 |
| 99.0L | $81.00 |
| 99/7 | 27/11/2025 | 22 | HDLE HUNT 4U | $16,510.00 | Taunton | 3319m | Good | Ellis Collier | 67.5kg | 3:59.08 | - | 0 |
| 99.0L | $151.00 |
| 10/14 | 05/11/2025 | 24 | MHDLE HUNT 4U | $15,240.00 | Chepstow | 3218m | Good Soft | Conor Ring | 71.5kg | 4:15.10 | 4-7-10 | 0 |
| 61.0L | $301.00 |
| 7/8 | 12/10/2025 | 210 | HUNT FLAT 45 | $33,130.00 | Chepstow | 3218m | Good | Adam Wedge | 70.5kg | 3:58.24 | 1-7-7 | 0 |
| 35.8L | $12.00 |
| 4/10 | 16/03/2025 | 15 | P2P MDN G 4 | $0.00 | Ballyragget P2p | 4828m | Good | A Harney | 57.5kg | - | - | 0 |
| 23.0L | $1.00 |
| 99/7 | 01/03/2025 | - | P2P MDN 4 | $0.00 | Tyrella P2p | 4828m | Good | A Harney | 57.5kg | - | - | 0 |
| 99.0L | $1.00 |
Jockey: Conor Ring
Weight: 71kgs
Stats
Comments
Having third race start. First race start finished sixth of 9 starters at Ffos Las on October 28 over 3200m, slow track; 8 len behind Barrow Hill Lad with 67kg at $67. Returned from break finished 12th of 14 runners at Exeter on January 9 over 3300m, 71 len behind Johnny's Jury carrying 73.5kg at $201. Might be out of his depth.
Last Starts 25 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/14 | 09/01/2026 | 73 | MHDLE HUNT 4U | $18,150.00 | Exeter | 3319m | Good Soft | Conor Ring | 73.5kg | 4:17.86 | 11-12-12 | 0 |
| 71.3L | $201.00 |
| 6/9 | 28/10/2025 | - | APP HUNT FLAT 45 | $8,170.00 | Ffos Las | 3218m | Soft | Eleanor Williams | 67kg | 3:47.24 | 7-7-6 | 0 |
| 8.8L | $67.00 |
Jockey: Rex Dingle
Weight: 71kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming finished 11th of 14 starters at this track on December 11 over 3300m, 45 len behind Knock Off Soxs carrying 70kg at $151. Second-up finished fifth of 8 starters at this track on January 8 over 3300m, 44 len behind Crest Of Stars carrying 73.5kg at $201. Form below par and looks safely held.
Last Starts 26 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/8 | 08/01/2026 | 28 | MHDLE 4U | $18,150.00 | Taunton | 3319m | Good | Harry Kimber | 73.5kg | 4:12.57 | 5-4-5 | 0 |
| 44.5L | $201.00 |
| 11/14 | 11/12/2025 | 120 | HDLE 4U | $16,510.00 | Taunton | 3319m | Good | Harry Kimber | 70kg | 4:05.82 | 10-10-11 | 0 |
| 45.8L | $151.00 |
| 13/13 | 13/08/2025 | 68 | HCP 3U | $14,520.00 | Kempton Park | 2414m | NS | George Downing | 64.5kg | 2:37.38 | 10-13-13 | 10 |
| 102.5L | $126.00 |
| 6/6 | 06/06/2025 | 28 | HCP APP 4U | $23,340.00 | Goodwood | 2411m | Good Soft | Alec Voikhansky | 59.5kg | 2:45.78 | 1-6-6 | 3 |
| 11.5L | $34.00 |
| 8/12 | 09/05/2025 | 318 | HCP APP 4U | $46,970.00 | Chester | 2472m | Good Firm | Kaiya Fraser | 62kg | 2:37.88 | 8-9-8 | 6 |
| 35.8L | $41.00 |
| 6/6 | 25/06/2024 | 51 | HCP 3U | $25,830.00 | Newbury | 2414m | Good Firm | William Buick | 56.5kg | 2:30.84 | 1-6-6 | 6 |
| 68.3L | $7.50 |
| 2/4 | 05/05/2024 | 15 | MDN 3 | $16,340.00 | Salisbury | 2414m | Heavy | Jason Watson | 60.5kg | 2:49.31 | 2-2-2 | 1 |
| 4.5L | $3.00 |
| 3/10 | 20/04/2024 | 18 | MDN 3 | $72,600.00 | Newbury | 2212m | Good Soft | Richard Kingscote | 60.5kg | 2:23.00 | 8-5-3 | 3 |
| 7.8L | $67.00 |
| 9/13 | 02/04/2024 | - | MDN 3U | $13,250.00 | Wolverhampton | 1911m | Neutral | Richard Kingscote | 56.5kg | 1:58.67 | 12-10-9 | 13 |
| 20.3L | $21.00 |
Jockey: H Cobden
Weight: 71kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes racing after a long spell. Having raced just once last preparation tracked on the speed and boxed on steadily finished fourth of 11 runners at Newbury on March 22 over 3270m, 6 len behind Kadastral carrying 72.5kg at $6. When resuming last campaign finished fifth of 8 starters at Exeter on January 1 2025 over 3360m, slow track; 9 len behind Pethers Lane with 73.5kg at $3.30. Should be primed to run well.
Last Starts 318 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/11 | 22/03/2025 | 80 | HUNT FLAT 45 | $184,500.00 | Newbury | 3281m | Good | Harry Cobden | 72.5kg | 3:54.90 | 2-2-4 | 0 |
| 5.8L | $6.00 |
| 5/8 | 01/01/2025 | 249 | HUNT FLAT MDN 46 | $7,380.00 | Exeter | 3365m | Soft | Freddie Gingell | 73.5kg | 4:28.63 | 2-2-2-1-1-3-5 | 0 |
| 9.3L | $3.25 |
| 1/9 | 27/04/2024 | - | P2P MDN G 4 | $0.00 | Loughanmore P2p | 4828m | Good | R James | 60kg | - | - | 0 |
| 3.5L | $1.00 |