Taunton Race 5 - Royal Bath & West Show Handicap Hurdle
Course specialist CELTIC ART (5) seems to come alive when he runs here having won two of his last three starts. Raced at the venue six times and finished top three on five of those occasions. Hard to fault. INTO THE PARK (7) is a previous course and distance winner. Out of sorts this season and revisits hurdles after a disappointing chase debut. One to consider. JACK HYDE (6) was a winner at Newton Abbot in the autumn. Given wind surgery since his last start and a betting guide advised. BRENTFORD HOPE (1) missed by 1.5L attempting the G2 International Hurdle three weeks ago. This is easier and rates a major player Something for the Multiples: WELSH CHARGER (3)

Jockey: Harry Kimber
Weight: 75kgs
Stats
Comments
Last outing came from midfield; finished third in a small field at this track on January 17 over 3800m, 6 len behind Celtic Art carrying 75.5kg at $11. Start before fell at Kempton Park on November 24 over 3600m. Hard to have despite the strong recent effort.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/5 | 17/01/2026 | 54 | CLM HDLE HCP 8U | $44,470.00 | Taunton | 3822m | Good Soft | Harry Kimber | 75.5kg | 4:51.32 | 3-3-3 | 0 |
| 6.3L | $11.00 |
| 0/5 | 24/11/2025 | 15 | CHSE 4U | $32,670.00 | Kempton Park | 3621m | Good | Harry Kimber | 71.5kg | 4:27.56 | - | 0 |
| 99.0L | $34.00 |
| 4/4 | 09/11/2025 | 203 | HCP HDLE 3U | $46,130.00 | Sandown Park Uk | 3215m | Good Soft | Jay Tidball | 74kg | 4:04.39 | 4-4-4 | 0 |
| 49.5L | $4.33 |
| 8/11 | 20/04/2025 | 61 | HCP HDLE 4U | $138,380.00 | Plumpton | 3195m | Good | Joe Anderson | 71kg | 3:39.64 | 8-9-8 | 0 |
| 23.5L | $23.00 |
| 2/6 | 18/02/2025 | 31 | HCP HDLE 4U | $26,860.00 | Taunton | 3319m | Good Soft | Joe Anderson | 75kg | 4:19.20 | 5-3-2 | 0 |
| 1.3L | $2.88 |
| 1/7 | 18/01/2025 | 57 | HCP HDLE 8U | $41,510.00 | Taunton | 3823m | Good Soft | Joe Anderson | 73.5kg | 4:48.70 | 6-1-1 | 0 |
| 2.3L | $2.63 |
| 6/9 | 22/11/2024 | 15 | HCP HDLE 3U | $55,630.00 | Ascot Uk | 3118m | Good | Harry Kimber | 76kg | 3:41.97 | 7-7-6 | 0 |
| 26.8L | $6.00 |
| 1/7 | 07/11/2024 | 180 | HCP HDLE 4U | $31,760.00 | Newbury | 3319m | Good | Joe Anderson | 76kg | 4:00.40 | 7-1-1 | 0 |
| 10.0L | $5.00 |
| 0/17 | 11/05/2024 | 15 | HCP HDLE 4U | $147,600.00 | Haydock Park | 3149m | Good | Alan Johns | 73kg | 3:41.52 | - | 0 |
| 99.0L | $34.00 |
| 4/9 | 26/04/2024 | 76 | HDLE HCP 4U | $19,420.00 | Chepstow | 3218m | Good | Fergus Gillard | 75kg | 3:49.72 | 6-2-4 | 0 |
| 10.5L | $9.50 |
| 19/21 | 10/02/2024 | 45 | HDLE HCP 4U | $290,240.00 | Newbury | 3319m | Heavy | Alan Johns | 72.5kg | 3:55.00 | - | 0 |
| 68.0L | $23.00 |

Jockey: C Gethings
Weight: 71kgs
Stats
Comments
Last start didn't finish the race at Musselburgh on January 31 over 3100m. Before that came from midfield; finished sixth of 13 runners at Ascot on December 20 over 3100m, 21 len behind Wilful with 68kg at $21. Wait until he shows something. Confidence may have taken a hit.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0/10 | 31/01/2026 | 42 | HDLE HCP 4U | $72,600.00 | Musselburgh | 3118m | Good Soft | Ciaran Gethings | 68kg | 3:38.54 | - | 0 |
| 99.0L | $4.50 |
| 6/13 | 20/12/2025 | 34 | HDLE HCP 3U | $226,870.00 | Ascot Uk | 3118m | Good Soft | Jonathan Burke | 68kg | 3:42.46 | 6-13-6 | 0 |
| 21.0L | $21.00 |
| 4/18 | 16/11/2025 | 190 | HDLE HCP 3U | $181,490.00 | Cheltenham | 3319m | Soft | Ciaran Gethings | 69.5kg | 4:00.69 | 1-5-4 | 0 |
| 13.3L | $29.00 |
| 14/16 | 10/05/2025 | 28 | HCP HDLE 4U | $147,600.00 | Haydock Park | 3149m | Good | David Noonan | 73kg | 3:38.79 | 2-5-14 | 0 |
| 33.5L | $17.00 |
| 5/12 | 12/04/2025 | 70 | G2 HCP HDLE 4U | $184,500.00 | Ayr | 3218m | Good Soft | David Noonan | 69kg | 3:51.72 | 2-3-5 | 0 |
| 2.0L | $23.00 |
| 1/12 | 01/02/2025 | 35 | HCP HDLE 4U | $54,450.00 | Musselburgh | 3118m | Good Soft | David Noonan | 72kg | 3:40.49 | 2-2-1 | 0 |
| 1.0L | $15.00 |
| 7/11 | 28/12/2024 | 57 | HCP HDLE 3U | $47,970.00 | Newbury | 4131m | Good Soft | David Noonan | 74.5kg | 5:05.80 | 6-5-7 | 0 |
| 22.8L | $11.00 |
| 1/6 | 01/11/2024 | 230 | HCP HDLE 3U | $18,150.00 | Wetherby | 3922m | Good | David Noonan | 74kg | 4:46.90 | 1-2-1 | 0 |
| 4.3L | $4.00 |
| 9/11 | 16/03/2024 | 41 | HCP HDLE 4U | $73,800.00 | Kempton Park | 4224m | Good Soft | David Noonan | 67.5kg | 5:09.55 | 3-7-9 | 0 |
| 21.0L | $21.00 |
| 1/12 | 04/02/2024 | 40 | HDLE HCP 4U | $27,220.00 | Musselburgh | 4023m | Soft | Jonathan Burke | 75.5kg | 4:59.10 | 3-1-1 | 0 |
| 2.5L | $4.50 |
| 1/9 | 26/12/2023 | 31 | HDLE HCP 3U | $18,150.00 | Market Rasen | 3721m | Good Soft | David Noonan | 73.5kg | 4:42.84 | 2-1-1 | 0 |
| 2.3L | $5.00 |

Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Weight: 70.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Recent form hard to fault. Freshened for 34 days. Last outing ran on from midfield; finished fourth of 10 runners at Exeter on January 9 over 3800m, 5.5 len behind Followcato carrying 74.5kg at $6.50. Start before ran last in a small field at Warwick on November 19 over 3200m, slow track; 37 len behind Excelero with 74.5kg at $2.60. In the mix.
Last Starts 35 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/10 | 09/01/2026 | 51 | APP CHSE HCP 5U | $27,770.00 | Exeter | 3822m | Good Soft | Toby Mccain-Mitchell | 74.5kg | 5:01.06 | 6-5-4 | 0 |
| 5.5L | $6.50 |
| 3/3 | 19/11/2025 | 21 | STPLE HCP 4U | $29,640.00 | Warwick Uk | 3218m | Soft | Sam Twiston-Davies | 74.5kg | 4:07.26 | 2-3-3 | 0 |
| 37.5L | $2.63 |
| 1/9 | 29/10/2025 | 196 | HCP HDLE 3U | $18,150.00 | Newton Abbot | 3419m | Good Soft | Toby Mccain-Mitchell | 75.5kg | 4:19.44 | 8-1-1 | 0 |
| 1.5L | $1.91 |
| 13/14 | 16/04/2025 | 39 | HCP HDLE 4U | $46,130.00 | Cheltenham | 4074m | Good | Jordan Nailor | 73kg | 4:55.36 | 11-11-13 | 0 |
| 65.5L | $8.00 |
| 7/17 | 08/03/2025 | 42 | HCP HDLE 4U | $196,880.00 | Sandown Park Uk | 3218m | Good Soft | Sam Twiston-Davies | 66kg | 4:00.00 | 10-11-7 | 0 |
| 4.8L | $12.00 |
| 3/5 | 25/01/2025 | 7 | G2 OPEN 4U | $230,630.00 | Cheltenham | 3382m | Soft | Jordan Nailor | 71.5kg | 4:20.47 | 4-4-3 | 0 |
| 5.3L | $29.00 |
| 3/8 | 18/01/2025 | 36 | HCP HDLE 4U | $36,900.00 | Haydock Park | 3149m | Soft | Jordan Nailor | 74.5kg | 3:54.91 | 1-3-3 | 0 |
| 9.5L | $4.50 |
| 5/14 | 13/12/2024 | 265 | HCP HDLE 3U | $41,510.00 | Cheltenham | 3382m | Good Soft | Jordan Nailor | 70.5kg | 4:05.17 | 13-2-5 | 0 |
| 7.5L | $26.00 |
| 5/9 | 23/03/2024 | 15 | NHDLE HCP 4U | $37,480.00 | Newbury | 3822m | Good Soft | Jordan Nailor | 76kg | 4:36.95 | 9-3-5 | 0 |
| 20.0L | $7.50 |
| 1/7 | 08/03/2024 | 14 | HCP HDLE 4U | $18,450.00 | Exeter | 3365m | Soft | Jordan Nailor | 76kg | 4:16.60 | 2-1-1 | 0 |
| 6.5L | $3.00 |
| 1/8 | 23/02/2024 | 70 | WFA NOVHDLE 4U | $13,840.00 | Exeter | 3365m | Heavy | Jordan Nailor | 71kg | 4:39.36 | 7-2-1 | 0 |
| 2.3L | $1.67 |

Jockey: Chad Bament
Weight: 70.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Useful gelding. Last run favourite; won by 3 len this track on January 17 over 3800m defeating Bourbali carrying 64.5kg at $2.90 in a hurdle. Start before finished second of 10 starters at this track on January 8 over 3800m, 2.5 len behind Brave Knight with 73.5kg at $4.60. Promising galloper. In form and expected to run well again.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/5 | 17/01/2026 | 9 | CLM HDLE HCP 8U | $44,470.00 | Taunton | 3822m | Good Soft | Chad Bament | 64.5kg | 4:51.32 | 4-1-1 | 0 |
| 3.0L | $2.88 |
| 2/10 | 08/01/2026 | 28 | HDLE HCP 4U | $26,860.00 | Taunton | 3822m | Good | Lorcan Williams | 73.5kg | 4:52.25 | 5-1-2 | 0 |
| 2.5L | $4.60 |
| 1/11 | 11/12/2025 | 35 | HDLE HCP 3U | $26,860.00 | Taunton | 3822m | Good | Lorcan Williams | 68.5kg | 4:41.88 | 11-2-1 | 0 |
| 3.0L | $13.00 |
| 8/13 | 06/11/2025 | 25 | HCP HDLE 3U | $32,290.00 | Newbury | 3281m | Good Soft | Chad Bament | 71kg | 4:07.00 | 2-5-8 | 0 |
| 26.0L | $41.00 |
| 5/6 | 12/10/2025 | 171 | HCP HDLE 8U | $40,150.00 | Chepstow | 3218m | Good | Lorcan Williams | 70.5kg | 4:00.18 | 4-5-5 | 0 |
| 70.3L | $17.00 |
| 7/8 | 24/04/2025 | 54 | HCP HDLE 4U | $24,390.00 | Bangor On Dee | 3319m | Good Soft | Bryan Carver | 76kg | 4:11.15 | 1-7-7 | 0 |
| 48.3L | $8.50 |
| 4/6 | 01/03/2025 | 21 | HCP HDLE 4U | $37,540.00 | Newbury | 3319m | Soft | Lorcan Williams | 71.5kg | 4:09.80 | 2-2-4 | 0 |
| 22.5L | $15.00 |
| 1/9 | 08/02/2025 | 72 | HCP HDLE 4U | $29,950.00 | Warwick Uk | 3218m | Soft | Lorcan Williams | 74kg | 3:51.42 | 2-2-1 | 0 |
| 2.8L | $5.00 |
| 4/11 | 28/11/2024 | 29 | HCP HDLE 3U | $21,220.00 | Taunton | 3823m | Good Soft | Lorcan Williams | 74kg | 4:45.60 | 9-3-4 | 0 |
| 7.8L | $34.00 |
| 5/6 | 30/10/2024 | 179 | HDLE HCP 3U | $19,330.00 | Newton Abbot | 3419m | Heavy | Rex Dingle | 72.5kg | 4:15.32 | 2-2-5 | 0 |
| 21.3L | $15.00 |
| 8/9 | 04/05/2024 | 39 | HDLE HCP 4U | $19,420.00 | Uttoxeter | 4023m | Soft | Harry Cobden | 67.5kg | 5:07.43 | 6-6-8 | 0 |
| 64.8L | $10.00 |

Jockey: Tom Broughton
Weight: 70kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming today after three months. Finished off last preparation 2 of 15 starters at Cheltenham November 14 over 3300m, slow track; 1.3 len behind French Emperor with 73kg at $3.80. Previous preparation first-up won by 4.5 len Newton Abbot September 9 over 3400m defeating Jaminska with 73kg at $1.10. Leading prospect who can find winning form here.
Last Starts 91 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/15 | 14/11/2025 | 21 | HDLE HCP 3U | $36,300.00 | Cheltenham | 3319m | Soft | Tom Broughton | 73kg | 4:16.73 | 2-2-2 | 0 |
| 1.3L | $3.75 |
| 5/12 | 24/10/2025 | 14 | G2 HDLE 4U | $145,200.00 | Cheltenham | 3319m | Good Soft | Jonathan Burke | 71kg | 3:56.02 | 2-1-5 | 0 |
| 2.8L | $6.00 |
| 5/8 | 10/10/2025 | 31 | G2 HDLE 4U | $160,600.00 | Chepstow | 3922m | Good | Jonathan Burke | 70kg | 4:46.93 | 3-5-5 | 0 |
| 13.5L | $6.00 |
| 1/8 | 09/09/2025 | 158 | HDLE 4U | $15,430.00 | Newton Abbot | 3419m | Good Soft | Tom Broughton | 73kg | 4:07.86 | 1-1-1 | 0 |
| 4.3L | $1.14 |
| 4/17 | 04/04/2025 | 18 | HCP APP HDLE 4U | $92,250.00 | Aintree | 3312m | Good | Jack Hogan | 65kg | 3:58.02 | 3-4-4 | 0 |
| 7.0L | $12.00 |
| 1/7 | 17/03/2025 | 14 | HDLE 4U | $14,210.00 | Southwell | 4103m | Good Soft | Tom Broughton | 75.5kg | 5:11.25 | 4-1-1 | 0 |
| 12.0L | $2.10 |
| 1/9 | 03/03/2025 | 39 | HDLE MDN 4U | $15,330.00 | Southwell | 3218m | Good Soft | Jonathan Burke | 72kg | 4:02.85 | 2-2-1 | 0 |
| 3.0L | $1.29 |
| 3/10 | 23/01/2025 | 28 | HDLE MDN 4U | $14,300.00 | Huntingdon | 3173m | Soft | Jonathan Burke | 73.5kg | 3:54.00 | 3-3-3 | 0 |
| 10.5L | $4.00 |
| 4/9 | 26/12/2024 | 695 | HDLE MDN 4U | $40,590.00 | Kempton Park | 3218m | Good | Connor Brace | 71.5kg | 3:56.00 | 5-5-4 | 0 |
| 7.5L | $7.00 |
| 1/14 | 31/01/2023 | 57 | MFLAT APP 46 | $8,530.00 | Newcastle | 3270m | Neutral | J Reddington | 70.5kg | 3:53.12 | - | 0 |
| 15.0L | $4.33 |
| 3/8 | 05/12/2022 | 22 | APP FLAT 46 | $8,570.00 | Lingfield | 3219m | Neutral | J Reddington | 67.5kg | 3:35.28 | - | 0 |
| 6.8L | $4.50 |

Jockey: Ben Jones
Weight: 70kgs
Stats
Comments
Useful gelding. Resumes off a 34 day letup. Last start pulled up at Exeter on January 9 over 3800m. The start before that; ran on from midfield; finished fourth in a small field at Sandown Park on November 9 over 3970m, 8 len behind Glynn Brae carrying 75.5kg at $4. Cannot be written off.
Last Starts 35 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0/10 | 09/01/2026 | 61 | APP CHSE HCP 5U | $27,770.00 | Exeter | 3822m | Good Soft | Ben Jones | 76kg | 5:01.06 | - | 0 |
| 99.0L | $5.00 |
| 4/6 | 09/11/2025 | 23 | HCP HDLE 3U | $30,180.00 | Sandown Park Uk | 3980m | Good Soft | Callum Pritchard | 75.5kg | 5:07.14 | 3-3-4 | 0 |
| 8.9L | $4.00 |
| 2/10 | 17/10/2025 | 244 | HCP HDLE 4U | $33,760.00 | Uttoxeter | 4023m | Good | Ben Jones | 69.5kg | 4:55.50 | 8-5-2 | 0 |
| 0.3L | $3.25 |
| 9/11 | 15/02/2025 | 58 | HCP HDLE 4U | $92,250.00 | Ascot Uk | 3875m | Good | Micheal Nolan | 71kg | 4:38.67 | 4-10-9 | 0 |
| 21.0L | $10.00 |
| 2/5 | 19/12/2024 | 68 | HCP HDLE 3U | $27,680.00 | Exeter | 3722m | Good Soft | Micheal Nolan | 71.5kg | 4:43.59 | 2-1-2 | 0 |
| 1.0L | $1.83 |
| 14/17 | 12/10/2024 | 203 | HDLE HCP 4U | $136,120.00 | Chepstow | 3922m | Good Soft | Micheal Nolan | 70.5kg | 4:48.32 | - | 0 |
| 47.8L | $7.50 |
| 4/9 | 23/03/2024 | 32 | NHDLE HCP 4U | $37,480.00 | Newbury | 3822m | Good Soft | M G Nolan | 76kg | 4:36.95 | 7-5-4 | 0 |
| 15.8L | $7.50 |
| 1/9 | 20/02/2024 | 28 | HDLE HCP 4U | $25,320.00 | Taunton | 3319m | Soft | M G Nolan | 71kg | 4:17.50 | 5-3-1 | 0 |
| 3.0L | $2.20 |
| 1/16 | 23/01/2024 | 15 | MHDLE 4U | $18,150.00 | Newbury | 3319m | Good Soft | M G Nolan | 73.5kg | 4:18.70 | 1-1-1 | 0 |
| 8.0L | $3.25 |
| 3/14 | 08/01/2024 | 30 | MHDLE 4U | $16,510.00 | Taunton | 3319m | Soft | M G Nolan | 73.5kg | 4:17.20 | 7-4-3 | 0 |
| 2.8L | $26.00 |
| 99/11 | 09/12/2023 | 30 | NHDLE 4U | $21,780.00 | Aintree | 3419m | Heavy | M G Nolan | 70kg | 4:42.84 | - | 0 |
| 99.0L | $67.00 |

Jockey: Bryan Carver
Weight: 65.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes off a 58 day letup. Last start finished third of 18 runners at Wincanton on December 16 over 3000m, slow track; 7 len behind Swingin Safari carrying 71.5kg at $12. The run before finished sixth of 15 starters at Newbury on November 28 over 3300m, on slow going 19 len behind Act Of Innocence carrying 71.5kg at $101. Continues to make headway. Right in the mix if he is at his best.
Last Starts 59 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/18 | 16/12/2025 | 18 | MHDLE 4U | $12,700.00 | Wincanton | 3017m | Soft | Rex Dingle | 71.5kg | 3:43.63 | 10-3-3 | 0 |
| 7.8L | $12.00 |
| 6/15 | 28/11/2025 | 19 | MHDLE HUNT 4U | $33,650.00 | Newbury | 3319m | Soft | Bryan Carver | 71.5kg | 4:02.30 | 15-4-6 | 0 |
| 19.3L | $101.00 |
| 4/7 | 09/11/2025 | 178 | MHDLE 4U | $18,450.00 | Sandown Park Uk | 3215m | Good Soft | Bryan Carver | 71.5kg | 4:03.10 | 7-5-4 | 0 |
| 13.3L | $51.00 |
| 4/6 | 15/05/2025 | 190 | OPEN HUNT FLAT 45 | $8,170.00 | Fontwell Park | 3520m | Good | Rex Dingle | 71kg | 4:17.30 | 3-1-4 | 0 |
| 18.3L | $7.00 |
| 10/10 | 06/11/2024 | - | HUNT FLAT 45 | $8,170.00 | Chepstow | 3218m | Good Soft | Lorcan Murtagh | 71kg | 4:08.37 | - | 0 |
| 141.8L | $9.00 |