Taunton Race 1

Racing To School Celebrates 25 Years Novices' Hurdle (Gbb Race) (Div 1)

Prize Money: $18,450

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).
  • Distance: 3823m
  • Track: Heavy
  • Weather: OCAST
  • Surface: Turf
  • Class: HDLE, C4
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1A J Honeyball
  • Crest Of Stars (3) 9x2x131
  • Trainer: A J Honeyball(Mosterton, Dorset)
  • Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
  • Weight: 74kg
  • Prize Money: $19,027
  • Win / Place: 40% / 80%
Jockey / Horse Combo
Dominant Win Last Start

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: HARZAND (IRE)

Dam: CEOL RUA (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Bob Back

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years100

Rating

Stats
Career
5: 2-1-1
Track
1: 1-0-0
Season
1: 1-0-0
1st Up
3: 1-1-0
2nd Up
1: 0-0-1
3rd Up
1: 1-0-0
Metro
1: 0-0-0
Non-Metro
4: 2-1-1
Turf
5: 2-1-1
Good
3: 2-1-0
Soft
2: 0-0-1
Clockwise
2: 1-1-0
Anti-Clockwise
3: 1-0-1
Hurdle
2: 1-0-1
Handicap Rating
114
Jockey Stats
Horse
3: 2-0-1
Trainer
W 0% P 0%
Distance
W 0% P 0%
Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Distance
W 0% P 0%
Distance Range Last 6 months

3218m - 3419m

Gear Changes

[Tongue Strap]

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.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start
PlaceDateTrackDistanceClassBarrierJockeyWeightCond.Race TimeAvg. SpeedMargin800/400SPDaysPrizePrize WonResult
1st of 88/1/26Taunton3319mMHDLE 4U-Sam Twiston-Davies73.5kgGood4:12.5747.3 km/h7.5L1-1$2.00f38$18,150$10,048

1. Crest Of Stars

2. Explode

3. Monsun Climate

38 Day Freshen-Up
3rd of 81/12/25Plumpton3218mHDLE 4U-Sam Twiston-Davies70kgSoft4:06.2147.1 km/h12.0L2-3$2.20f33$16,510$2,105

1. General Briar

2. Cueros

3. Crest Of Stars

33 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 1129/10/25Newton Abbot3419mHUNT FLAT MD-Sam Twiston-Davies71kgGood Soft4:17.6347.8 km/h1.8L1-1$8.00192$9,070$5,022

1. Crest Of Stars

2. Makingplansfor

3. Soldier Reeves

192 Day Spell
2nd of 320/4/25Market Rasen3332mHUNT FLAT 46-Brian Hughes67kgGood4:10.9647.8 km/h7.0L3-2$1.50f109$7,380$1,852

1. American Empire

2. Crest Of Stars

3. Corra Bheinn

109 Day Spell
9th of 161/1/25Cheltenham3382mLR OPEN 4-Jonathan Burke70kgSoft4:22.0246.5 km/h12.0L15-11-12-11-9-9$12-$46,130-

1. Precious Metal

2. Our Boy Stan

3. Intosomethinggood

2Olly Murphy
  • Kings Champion (8) 3x31
  • Trainer: Olly Murphy(Wilmcote, Warks)
  • Jockey: S Bowen
  • Weight: 74kg
  • Prize Money: $13,417
  • Win / Place: 33% / 100%

6 yo Black Gelding

Sire: JEU ST ELOI (FR)

Dam: JOLY NELSA (FR)

Dam's Sire: Brier Creek

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years99

Rating

Stats
Career
3: 1-0-2
Season
1: 1-0-0
1st Up
2: 0-0-2
2nd Up
1: 1-0-0
Non-Metro
3: 1-0-2
Turf
3: 1-0-2
Good
2: 0-0-2
Soft
1: 1-0-0
Clockwise
1: 0-0-1
Anti-Clockwise
2: 1-0-1
Hurdle
2: 1-0-1
Handicap Rating
124
Jockey Stats
Horse
2: 1-0-1
Trainer
W 0% P 0%
Distance
W 0% P 0%
Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Distance
W 0% P 0%
Distance Range Last 6 months

3319m - 4123m

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.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start
PlaceDateTrackDistanceClassBarrierJockeyWeightCond.Race TimeAvg. SpeedMargin800/400SPDaysPrizePrize WonResult
1st of 112/1/26Ayr4123mMHDLE 4U-Sean Bowen72.5kgSoft5:08.1448.2 km/h12.0L3-1$3.75f50$18,150$10,048

1. Kings Champion

2. Sleedagh

3. Solid Performer

50 Day Freshen-Up
3rd of 813/11/25Market Rasen3319mMHDLE 4U-Sean Bowen71.5kgGood Soft4:15.9446.7 km/h9.0L8-6$2.88f210$12,700$1,620

1. Japetus

2. Lock Stock

3. Kings Champion

210 Day Spell
3rd of 1017/4/25Ffos Las3218mHUNT FLAT 46-Freddie Gingell71kgGood Soft3:46.4051.2 km/h3.8L3-1$4.00-$14,150$1,749

1. The Blue Room

2. Not Without Danger

3. Kings Champion

3Sam Thomas
  • Angel Wave (7)
  • Trainer: Sam Thomas(Lisvane, South Glamorgan)
  • Jockey: Dylan Johnston
  • Weight: 71kg
  • Prize Money: $0
  • Win / Place: 0% / 0%

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: GENTLEWAVE (IRE)

Dam: ANGEL FACE (GB)

Dam's Sire: Kayf Tara

Stats
Career
0: 0-0-0
Jockey Stats
Trainer
W 0% P 0%
Distance
W 0% P 0%
Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Distance
W 0% P 0%
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.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts
PlaceDateTrackDistanceClassBarrierJockeyWeightCond.Race TimeAvg. SpeedMargin800/400SPDaysPrizePrize WonResult
5J D Frost
  • Hannibal Bogan (5) 80
  • Trainer: J D Frost(Buckfast, Devon)
  • Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
  • Weight: 71kg
  • Prize Money: $0
  • Win / Place: 0% / 0%

8 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: TELESCOPE (IRE)

Dam: BROWN FOX (FR)

Dam's Sire: Polar Falcon

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years93

Rating

Stats
Career
2: 0-0-0
Track
1: 0-0-0
1st Up
1: 0-0-0
2nd Up
1: 0-0-0
Non-Metro
2: 0-0-0
Turf
2: 0-0-0
Good
2: 0-0-0
Clockwise
1: 0-0-0
Anti-Clockwise
1: 0-0-0
Hurdle
2: 0-0-0
Jockey Stats
Horse
1: 0-0-0
Trainer
W 0% P 0%
Distance
W 0% P 0%
Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Distance
W 0% P 0%
Distance Range Last 6 months

3319m

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.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start
PlaceDateTrackDistanceClassBarrierJockeyWeightCond.Race TimeAvg. SpeedMargin800/400SPDaysPrizePrize WonResult
12th of 1411/12/25Taunton3319mHDLE 4U-Cameron Iles67.5kgGood4:05.8248.6 km/h47.0L12-11$25124$16,510-

1. Knock Off Soxs

2. Guardami Ancora

3. Stanners Glen

8th of 1217/11/25Exeter3319mHDLE 4U-Charlie Deutsch70kgGood Soft4:11.9847.4 km/h28.3L8-8$401-$12,700-

1. Harry Lowes

2. Kapitein Kool

3. Aguellid

6Evan Williams
  • Kings Order (4) 04x70fp
  • Trainer: Evan Williams(Llancarfan, Vale Of Glamorgan)
  • Jockey: Ben Jones
  • Weight: 71kg
  • Prize Money: $0
  • Win / Place: 0% / 0%

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: ORDER OF ST GEORGE (IRE)

Dam: GISELA (IRE)

Dam's Sire: King Charlemagne

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years91

Rating

Stats
Career
6: 0-0-0
Track
1: 0-0-0
1st Up
2: 0-0-0
2nd Up
2: 0-0-0
3rd Up
1: 0-0-0
4th Up
1: 0-0-0
Non-Metro
6: 0-0-0
Turf
6: 0-0-0
Good
5: 0-0-0
Soft
1: 0-0-0
Clockwise
1: 0-0-0
Anti-Clockwise
3: 0-0-0
Hurdle
3: 0-0-0
Jockey Stats
Trainer
W 0% P 0%
Distance
W 0% P 0%
Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Distance
W 0% P 0%
Distance Range Last 6 months

3218m - 4023m

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.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start
PlaceDateTrackDistanceClassBarrierJockeyWeightCond.Race TimeAvg. SpeedMargin800/400SPDaysPrizePrize WonResult
99th of 621/12/25Fakenham4023mMHDLE 4U-Conor Ring71.5kgSoft5:13.8546.1 km/h99.0L-$8124$11,800-

1. Kilbakanto

2. Jonquilla

3. Tony Joe

99th of 727/11/25Taunton3319mHDLE HUNT 4U-Ellis Collier67.5kgGood3:59.0850.0 km/h99.0L-$15122$16,510-

1. Miss Altea Blue

2. Knock Off Soxs

3. Pure Logic

10th of 145/11/25Chepstow3218mMHDLE HUNT 4-Conor Ring71.5kgGood Soft4:15.1045.4 km/h61.0L4-7$30124$15,240-

1. The Blue Room

2. Double Measure

3. Came From Nowhere

7th of 812/10/25Chepstow3218mHUNT FLAT 45-Adam Wedge70.5kgGood3:58.2448.6 km/h35.8L1-7$12210$33,130-

1. Black Eddy

2. Cooltobecareless

3. Lake Tiberias

210 Day Spell
4th of 1016/3/25Ballyragget P2p4828mP2P MDN G 4-A Harney57.5kgGood-23.0L-$1.0015$0-

1. Soomaroy

2. Vango Can Go

3. Clone Cross

99th of 71/3/25Tyrella P2p4828mP2P MDN 4-A Harney57.5kgGood-99.0L-$1.00-$0-

1. Lazare Combo

2. The Launderer

3. Drop Kick

7Evan Williams
  • Like A Dancer (2) 6x0
  • Trainer: Evan Williams(Llancarfan, Vale Of Glamorgan)
  • Jockey: Conor Ring
  • Weight: 71kg
  • Prize Money: $0
  • Win / Place: 0% / 0%

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: FEEL LIKE DANCING (GB)

Dam: VIC DANCER (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Old Vic

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years92

Rating

Stats
Career
2: 0-0-0
Season
1: 0-0-0
1st Up
2: 0-0-0
Non-Metro
2: 0-0-0
Turf
2: 0-0-0
Good
1: 0-0-0
Soft
1: 0-0-0
Anti-Clockwise
2: 0-0-0
Hurdle
1: 0-0-0
Jockey Stats
Horse
1: 0-0-0
Trainer
W 0% P 0%
Distance
W 0% P 0%
Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Distance
W 0% P 0%
Distance Range Last 6 months

3218m - 3319m

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.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start
PlaceDateTrackDistanceClassBarrierJockeyWeightCond.Race TimeAvg. SpeedMargin800/400SPDaysPrizePrize WonResult
12th of 149/1/26Exeter3319mMHDLE HUNT 4-Conor Ring73.5kgGood Soft4:17.8646.3 km/h71.3L11-12$20173$18,150-

1. Johnny's Jury

2. Pourquoi Pas Papa

3. Limerick Star

73 Day Spell
6th of 928/10/25Ffos Las3218mAPP HUNT FLA-Eleanor Williams67kgSoft3:47.2451.0 km/h8.8L7-7$67-$8,170-

1. Barrow Hill Lad

2. Hopeless Dancer

3. Big John Ollie

8Syd Hosie
  • Marhaba Million (1) 26x86x0x05
  • Trainer: Syd Hosie(Sherborne, Dorset)
  • Jockey: Rex Dingle
  • Weight: 71kg
  • Prize Money: $14,182
  • Win / Place: 0% / 22%

5 yo Chestnut Gelding

Sire: GALILEO (IRE)

Dam: KHELEYF'S SILVER (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Kheleyf

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years92

Rating

Stats
Career
9: 0-1-1
Track
2: 0-0-0
Season
1: 0-0-0
1st Up
4: 0-0-0
2nd Up
3: 0-0-1
3rd Up
1: 0-1-0
4th Up
1: 0-0-0
Metro
4: 0-0-1
Non-Metro
5: 0-1-0
Turf
7: 0-1-1
Good
6: 0-0-1
Heavy
1: 0-1-0
Synthetic
2: 0-0-0
Clockwise
4: 0-1-0
Anti-Clockwise
5: 0-0-1
Hurdle
2: 0-0-0
Jockey Stats
Trainer
W 0% P 0%
Distance
W 0% P 0%
Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Distance
W 0% P 0%
Distance Range Last 6 months

2414m - 3319m

Gear Changes

[Tongue Strap]

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.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start
PlaceDateTrackDistanceClassBarrierJockeyWeightCond.Race TimeAvg. SpeedMargin800/400SPDaysPrizePrize WonResult
5th of 88/1/26Taunton3319mMHDLE 4U-Harry Kimber73.5kgGood4:12.5747.3 km/h44.5L5-4$20128$18,150-

1. Crest Of Stars

2. Explode

3. Monsun Climate

11th of 1411/12/25Taunton3319mHDLE 4U-Harry Kimber70kgGood4:05.8248.6 km/h45.8L10-10$151120$16,510-

1. Knock Off Soxs

2. Guardami Ancora

3. Stanners Glen

120 Day Spell
13th of 1313/8/25Kempton Park2414mHCP 3U10George Downing64.5kgNS2:37.3855.2 km/h102.5L10-13$12668$14,520-

1. Wine Dark Sea

2. Love You Back

3. Nivelle's Magic

68 Day Spell
6th of 66/6/25Goodwood2411mHCP APP 4U3Alec Voikhansky59.5kgGood Soft2:45.7852.4 km/h11.5L1-6$3428$23,340-

1. Big Bear Hug

2. Isle Of Sark

3. Destinado

8th of 129/5/25Chester2472mHCP APP 4U6Kaiya Fraser62kgGood Firm2:37.8856.4 km/h35.8L8-9$41318$46,970$614

1. Small Fry

2. Sportingsilvermine

3. Giselles Defence

318 Day Spell
6th of 625/6/24Newbury2414mHCP 3U6William Buick56.5kgGood Firm2:30.8457.6 km/h68.3L1-6$7.5051$25,830-

1. Wahraan

2. Graham

3. Eben Zaabeel

51 Day Freshen-Up
9P F Nicholls
  • Talk To The Man (6) 1x5x4x
  • Trainer: P F Nicholls(Ditcheat, Somerset)
  • Jockey: H Cobden
  • Weight: 71kg
  • Prize Money: $9,059
  • Win / Place: 33% / 33%

6 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: WALK IN THE PARK (IRE)

Dam: WINDERMERE SKY (IRE)

Dam's Sire: Oscar

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years92

Rating

Stats
Career
3: 1-0-0
1st Up
3: 1-0-0
Metro
1: 0-0-0
Non-Metro
2: 1-0-0
Turf
3: 1-0-0
Good
2: 1-0-0
Soft
1: 0-0-0
Anti-Clockwise
2: 0-0-0
Jockey Stats
Horse
1: 0-0-0
Trainer
W 0% P 0%
Distance
W 0% P 0%
Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Track
W 0% P 0%
Trainer/Distance
W 0% P 0%
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.

Expected Settling Position: No speed data

Last Starts days since last start
PlaceDateTrackDistanceClassBarrierJockeyWeightCond.Race TimeAvg. SpeedMargin800/400SPDaysPrizePrize WonResult
4th of 1122/3/25Newbury3281mHUNT FLAT 45-Harry Cobden72.5kgGood3:54.9050.3 km/h5.8L2-2$6.0080$184,500$9,059

1. Kadastral

2. Talk The Talk

3. Klub De Reve

80 Day Spell
5th of 81/1/25Exeter3365mHUNT FLAT MD-Freddie Gingell73.5kgSoft4:28.6345.1 km/h9.3L2-2-2-1-1-3$3.25249$7,380-

1. Pethers Lane

2. Kripticjim

3. Eton Mes

249 Day Spell
1st of 927/4/24Loughanmore P2p4828mP2P MDN G 4-R James60kgGood-3.5L-$1.00-$0-

1. Talk To The Man

2. Gaelic Rambler

3. French Emperor

Race Review Abbreviations

3WNC: Three wide no cover, Awk: Awkwardly away, Bk: Back, Blkd: Blocked, Btld: Battled, Chal: Challenged, Chkd: Checked, Cvr: Cover, Fdd: Faded, Fght: Fought, Fin: Finish, Hdd: Headed, Hld up: Held up, Hmprd: Hampered, Hndy: Handy, Kikd: Kicked, Kn: Keen, Ld: Led/Lead, Midf: Midfield, Mod pc: Moderate pace, Otf: On the Fence, ROS: Ran on strongly, Slow: Slow away, Snagd: Snagged, Stld: Settled, Tn: Turn, Trld: Trailed, Under pres: Under pressure, Under rd: Under riding, Urgd: Urged, Wd: Wide, Wdr: Wider, Weavd: Weaved, Wknd: Weakened, Wrkd: Worked

Racing and Sports - Trusted form provider for 20+ years

Racing and Sports™ Trusted form provider for 20+ years