Taunton Race 1 - Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Novices' Hurdle (Gbb Race)
CALVINO (2) has taken some time to mature however got off the mark hurdling and is now two from two here at Taunton securing a victory at this track seven weeks ago. Penalised this time but looks to be improving quickly and will be hard to beat. FOUNTAINS BLENHEIN (1) was pulled up at Doncaster five weeks ago. Progressive before that. Though conceding weight all round is hard to fault. Warrants close consideration. SAILING BY (6) offered something to work with delivering latest start at Exeter and will be one to watch. KHAFRE (5) is another who looked to improve recently. Likely one for the future.
Jockey: Chad Bament
Weight: 76kgs
Stats
Comments
Freshened for 33 days. Last outing pulled up at Doncaster in the G2 River Don Novices' Hurdle on January 24 over 4900m. The start before that; won by 3 len Windsor on January 1 over 4400m defeating Assertive Walk with 72.5kg at $1.80 in a hurdle. Gets a chance to win. Recent run in better company worth forgiving.
Last Starts 33 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99/12 | 24/01/2026 | 23 | G2 OPEN 5U | $145,190.00 | Doncaster | 4928m | Soft | Rex Dingle | 70kg | 6:00.54 | - | 0 |
| 99.0L | $13.00 |
| 1/4 | 01/01/2026 | 45 | HDLE 5U | $26,390.00 | Windsor | 4425m | Good | Gavin Sheehan | 72.5kg | 5:29.55 | 1-1-1 | 0 |
| 3.0L | $1.83 |
| 3/4 | 17/11/2025 | 25 | HDLE 4U | $16,510.00 | Plumpton | 4123m | Good | Rex Dingle | 73kg | 5:05.43 | 1-1-3 | 0 |
| 4.8L | $1.36 |
| 1/11 | 23/10/2025 | 201 | MHDLE 4U | $14,210.00 | Fontwell Park | 3849m | Good Soft | Rex Dingle | 71.5kg | 4:56.40 | 1-1-1 | 0 |
| 34.0L | $6.00 |
| 14/15 | 05/04/2025 | 30 | G2 HUNT FLAT 46 | $100,590.00 | Aintree | 3419m | Good | Sean Bowen | 71.5kg | 3:59.40 | 1-14-14 | 0 |
| 86.3L | $67.00 |
| 1/7 | 06/03/2025 | 81 | HUNT FLAT 46 | $8,300.00 | Fontwell Park | 3567m | Good Soft | Sam Twiston-Davies | 71kg | 4:32.30 | 1-1-1 | 0 |
| 6.0L | $2.75 |
| 4/9 | 15/12/2024 | - | P2P | $0.00 | Larkhill P2p | 3219m | Good | Charlie Sprake | 75.5kg | 3:58.30 | - | 0 |
| 7.5L | $5.00 |
Jockey: H Cobden
Weight: 74kgs
Stats
Comments
Freshened for 49 days. Last outing favourite; won by 3 len this track on January 8 over 3800m defeating Kapitein Kool with 72kg at $2.50 in a hurdle. Start before pulled up at Plumpton on November 17 over 4100m. Promising galloper. He has an excellent record at this venue and is worth following up here.
Last Starts 49 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 08/01/2026 | 52 | HDLE 4U | $18,150.00 | Taunton | 3822m | Good | Harry Cobden | 72kg | 4:46.62 | 2-1-1 | 0 |
| 3.0L | $2.50 |
| 99/4 | 17/11/2025 | 30 | HDLE 4U | $16,510.00 | Plumpton | 4123m | Good | Harry Cobden | 70kg | 5:05.43 | - | 0 |
| 99.0L | $5.00 |
| 2/10 | 18/10/2025 | 192 | HDLE HUNT 46 | $15,430.00 | Newton Abbot | 3419m | Good Soft | Harry Cobden | 70kg | 4:09.46 | 2-2-2 | 0 |
| 0.3L | $5.50 |
| 1/7 | 09/04/2025 | 20 | HUNT FLAT MDN 46 | $9,220.00 | Taunton | 3313m | Good Firm | Harry Cobden | 71.5kg | 3:55.87 | 3-2-1 | 0 |
| 6.0L | $1.83 |
| 6/7 | 20/03/2025 | 118 | HUNT FLAT 46 | $8,170.00 | Chepstow | 3218m | Good | Harry Cobden | 71kg | 3:55.00 | 1-4-6 | 0 |
| 22.0L | $5.00 |
| 4/6 | 22/11/2024 | - | HUNT FLAT 45 | $18,150.00 | Ascot Uk | 3118m | Good | Freddie Gingell | 69.5kg | 3:47.89 | 4-5-4 | 0 |
| 5.8L | $3.50 |
Jockey: Rex Dingle
Weight: 71kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes off a 42 day letup. Last start finished eighth of 11 starters at Ludlow on January 15 over 4200m, 88 len behind Mondoui'boy with 74.5kg at $101. Start before pulled up at Plumpton on December 1 over 4100m. Doesn't look one of the main chances.
Last Starts 42 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/11 | 15/01/2026 | 45 | MHDLE 4U | $18,150.00 | Ludlow | 4224m | Good Soft | Sam Twiston-Davies | 74.5kg | 5:14.50 | 6-8-8 | 0 |
| 88.5L | $101.00 |
| 99/6 | 01/12/2025 | 36 | MHDLE 4U | $16,510.00 | Plumpton | 4123m | Soft | Sam Twiston-Davies | 71.5kg | 5:26.65 | - | 0 |
| 99.0L | $15.00 |
| 6/9 | 26/10/2025 | - | HUNT FLAT 45 | $8,300.00 | Fontwell Park | 3567m | Good Soft | Rex Dingle | 71kg | 4:22.63 | 4-6-6 | 0 |
| 12.5L | $5.50 |
Jockey: Ben Godfrey
Weight: 71kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up today. Fresh up after two months finished fifth of 8 runners at this track on February 12 over 3800m, on a wet track; 30 len behind Innamorato with 72.5kg at $126. Previously second-up didn't finish the race at Wadebridge on December 7 over 4800m. Needs to go up a level.
Last Starts 14 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 | 12/02/2026 | 67 | MHDLE 4U | $18,150.00 | Taunton | 3822m | Heavy | Ben Godfrey | 72.5kg | 5:03.83 | 2-6-5 | 0 |
| 30.8L | $126.00 |
| 99/7 | 07/12/2025 | 21 | P2P MDN | $0.00 | Wadebridge P2p | 4828m | Heavy | Martin McIntyre | 73kg | 6:37.80 | - | 0 |
| 99.0L | $11.00 |
| 99/7 | 16/11/2025 | 196 | P2P MDN | $0.00 | Badbury Rings P2p | 4828m | Good | William Biddick | 76kg | 6:19.00 | - | 0 |
| 99.0L | $4.00 |
| 3/12 | 04/05/2025 | 28 | P2P MDN G 4 | $0.00 | Ballindenisk P2p | 4828m | Good | J H Williamson | 60kg | - | - | 0 |
| 26.0L | $1.00 |
| 99/9 | 06/04/2025 | - | P2P MDN G 4 | $0.00 | Rathcannon P2p | 4828m | Good | D Doyle | 60kg | - | - | 0 |
| 99.0L | $1.00 |
Jockey: Paddy Hanlon
Weight: 71kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes. Finished off last preparation 4 of 10 runners at Wincanton December 16 over 4000m, slow track; 12 len behind Hold The Serve with 70kg at $8.50. First up last campaign 7 of 14 starters at Cheltenham November 16 over 3300m, slow track; 13 len behind Soldier Reeves carrying 71.5kg at $29. In the mix.
Last Starts 72 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 | 16/12/2025 | 30 | HDLE 4U | $12,700.00 | Wincanton | 4023m | Soft | Rex Dingle | 70kg | 4:53.81 | 3-4-4 | 0 |
| 12.0L | $8.50 |
| 7/14 | 16/11/2025 | 302 | MHDLE 4U | $36,300.00 | Cheltenham | 3319m | Soft | Harry Cobden | 71.5kg | 4:06.03 | 7-8-7 | 0 |
| 13.5L | $29.00 |
| 1/6 | 18/01/2025 | 55 | P2P MDN G 5 | $0.00 | Turtulla P2p | 4828m | Y | B O'neill | 61kg | - | - | 0 |
| 1.5L | $1.00 |
| 2/11 | 24/11/2024 | - | P2P MDN G 4 | $0.00 | Lingstown P2p | 4828m | Soft | B O'neill | 60kg | - | - | 0 |
| 16.0L | $1.00 |
Jockey: Brendan Powell
Weight: 71kgs
Stats
Comments
Last run ran on from midfield; finished fourth of 8 starters at this track on February 12 over 3800m, on rain affected going; 22 len behind Innamorato carrying 72.5kg at $4.30. Race before came from midfield; finished seventh of 14 starters at Exeter on January 9 over 3300m, 40 len behind Johnny's Jury carrying 73.5kg at $15. Forward showing expected. Shapes nicely on latest run and among the hopes again here.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/8 | 12/02/2026 | 34 | MHDLE 4U | $18,150.00 | Taunton | 3822m | Heavy | Brendan Powell | 72.5kg | 5:03.83 | 4-4-4 | 0 |
| 22.8L | $4.33 |
| 7/14 | 09/01/2026 | 35 | MHDLE HUNT 4U | $18,150.00 | Exeter | 3319m | Good Soft | Brendan Powell | 73.5kg | 4:17.86 | 7-7-7 | 0 |
| 40.0L | $15.00 |
| 7/15 | 05/12/2025 | 30 | HUNT FLAT 45 | $7,260.00 | Exeter | 3319m | Soft | Brendan Powell | 71kg | 4:24.87 | 4-4-7 | 0 |
| 12.0L | $3.75 |
| 3/13 | 05/11/2025 | - | HUNT FLAT 45 | $8,170.00 | Chepstow | 3218m | Good Soft | Brendan Powell | 71kg | 4:16.40 | 9-3-3 | 0 |
| 9.5L | $11.00 |
Jockey: Bradley Harris
Weight: 67.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Is third-up today and making a debut in a jumps race. Last start ran on from midfield; finished ninth of 10 starters at Hereford on January 12 over 3200m, slow track; 49 len behind That'll Be Oxo with 67.5kg at $101 and before that made ground from midfield; finished tenth of 14 runners at Ludlow on December 3 over 3200m, 10 len behind Malina Road carrying 71.5kg at $41. Looks one of the outsiders here.
Last Starts 45 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/10 | 12/01/2026 | 40 | HUNT FLAT 46 | $8,170.00 | Hereford | 3218m | Soft | Conor O'farrell | 67.5kg | 3:59.66 | 5-9-9 | 0 |
| 49.3L | $101.00 |
| 10/14 | 03/12/2025 | - | HUNT FLAT M 35 | $10,890.00 | Ludlow | 3218m | Good Soft | Conor O'farrell | 71.5kg | 3:49.20 | 6-7-10 | 0 |
| 10.0L | $41.00 |