Taunton

Tomorrow, December 30, 2025HurdleClass 52m7f

Verdict

The pick of several viable candidates is SQUARE DU ROULE, who opened his account at Exeter last month and subsequently found himself with too much to do when fourth over this C&D. He is unexposed as a stayer and again has the services of Harry Cobden. See The Green has been knocking on the door of late and will be a threat if responding well to the new headgear, while Bitsnbuckles, Lelantos and the Tizzard-trained duo Mask of Zorro and The Italian Fox are others to consider.

Square Du Roule
See The Green
Bitsnbuckles

Win or Each Way

Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 3 places

1. Bitsnbuckles
J: Sean BowenT: Olly Murphy
F: 6177/42-43
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
105
Days Since Last Run:
23
Verdict
Winless since handicap debut success at Huntingdon in January 2024, but has performed with credit on a couple of occasions since, including when third in a first-time tongue strap (retained) back at that course last time. One to consider.
2. Mask Of Zorro
J: Brendan PowellT: Joe Tizzard
F: 4/0756-411
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
104
Days Since Last Run:
22
Verdict
Showed ability in maiden hurdles and has won both starts switched to handicap company over 21.8f at Fontwell, despite his jumping not being foot-perfect. 6 lb rise for latest success looks manageable and this trip should be within range, so a bold show to complete the hat-trick is on the cards.
3. I Am Spider Man
J: Callum PritchardT: Debra Hamer
F: 1100270-7
Price History:
-
Age:
8
Weight:
11-13
Gear:
hood
Official Rating:
104
Days Since Last Run:
57
Verdict
Two-time winner for Charles Byrnes at Sligo (good to soft) in 2024, but has offered little in 3 runs on this side of the Irish Sea for two different yards and now makes debut for yet another new stable.
4. Face Dmusic
J: Miss Carys MorrisT: Katy Price
F: 83144-PP4
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-13
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
104
Days Since Last Run:
27
Verdict
Winning hurdler who jumped better than previously when opening chase account at Hereford last November. Well held next 4 starts over fences and while he wasn't entirely disgraced back in this sphere following a break at Ludlow (23.8f, good to soft), other make more appeal.
5. Milan Ac
J: Paul O'BrienT: Rebecca Curtis
F: 2/827-P6
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
11-9
Gear:
blinkers
Official Rating:
100
Days Since Last Run:
27
Verdict
Runner-up in a Ffos Las novice in May 2024, but restricted to just 3 runs since and has shown minimal spark in the process. Hopes now pinned on the addition of blinkers sparking a revival.
6. See The Green
J: Paddy HanlonT: Syd Hosie
F: 463-60333
Price History:
-
Age:
4
Weight:
11-8
Gear:
blinkers
Official Rating:
100
Days Since Last Run:
25
Verdict
Just a Ludlow juvenile success to his name over hurdles, but has emerged with credit from his last 3 starts, finishing third in handicaps at Stratford, Doncaster and when upped to 23f at Exeter (soft) last time. Forecast quicker ground here will be in his favour and sports first-time blinkers.
7. Its A Breeze
J: Ben BromleyT: Paul Nicholls
F: 8/367-38
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-8
Gear:
hood
Official Rating:
99
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Has been held back by headstrong tendencies so far, fading into third on his 20.5f Plumpton handicap debut/reappearance last month and subsequently ran even worse dropped to 15.2f at Wincanton. Still lightly-raced and couldn't be in better hands, but will need to settle better upped in trip here.
8. Lelantos
J: James BowenT: Nicky Henderson
F: 7/34P3261
Price History:
-
Age:
9
Weight:
11-8
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
99
Days Since Last Run:
38
Verdict
Quickly returned to hurdles following another unsuccessful attempt over fences during the summer, and made it 5-25 in this sphere when landing an 8-runner handicap at Huntingdon (25f, soft) last month. 4 lb rise fair and should make his presence felt.
9. Chedingtons Guest
J: Robert DunneT: Keiran Burke
F: 43/67-7526
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-2
Gear:
cheekpieces and tongue strap
Official Rating:
93
Days Since Last Run:
25
Verdict
Aided by first-time cheekpieces when good second of 12 in handicap hurdle at Exeter (21.6f, soft) last month. Not in the same form under testing conditions dropped to 18.5f at the same course next time, but stepping back up in trip on quicker ground here could amount to a more suitable test.
10. Lady Caro
J: Ben JonesT: Emma Lavelle
F: 251P-3337
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
11-0
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
91
Days Since Last Run:
40
Verdict
Narrow Plumpton success in March remains her sole success in this sphere from 16 attempts and while she resumed with a couple of creditable placed efforts in September, her form has dipped the last twice. Hopes now pinned on this big jump up in trip working in her favour.
11. The Italian Fox
J: Freddie GingellT: Joe Tizzard
F: 5-97
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
10-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
87
Days Since Last Run:
24
Verdict
No show in trio of novice hurdles at up to 2½m, but it's not hard to envisage improvement from this 5-y-o now that he moves up in trip for this handicap debut. Interesting to see how he fares in the betting, particularly in relation to stablemate Mask of Zorro.
12. Square Du Roule
J: Harry CobdenT: Nigel Hawke
F: 34228214
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
10-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
86
Days Since Last Run:
19
Verdict
Several creditable efforts in defeat this year prior to gaining a deserved first success at the chief expense of the re-opposing Chedington's Guest at Exeter (21.6f, soft) on penultimate start. Wasn't seen to best effect when fourth of 16 upped in trip over this C&D recently and he's a key player.
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Taunton

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