13:40 Taunton 03 Feb 2026
Racing To School Celebrates 25 Years Novices' Hurdle
GBB Race | Div 1 | Class 4 | 4YO plus
Winner £5,446 - 9 declared to run
Heavy-soft in places
Draw Advantage: None
Forecast: Light rain
Temperature: 4.8° - 7.9°
Rainfall: 2.37mm
Wind: 5.9 mph SE
Last Update: 02/02/2026 17:00x
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- Winner
- Top 2 Finish
- Top 3 Finish
- W/O Crest Of Stars And Kings Champion
- W/O Crest Of Stars
- W/O Kings Champion
- Top 4 Finish
Bookies best price percentage = 121.71%
AT THE RACES is not liable for any services or information offered or provided by its bookmaker partners. Please note: Whilst every effort is made to ensure odds and information are up to date and correct, differences between these and actual odds/information available from bookmakers at time of placing a bet may occur.
Quickened clear readily and improved for debut experience when winning a maiden hurdle here by 7 1/2l last time. Trainer is in form; effective at 2m and acts on good ground. More to come over hurdles if sharpening up jumping and holds strong claims if handling conditions.
Successful in a hurdle race and a NH flat race at 2m and 2m 1f on good and good to soft ground. Won on his latest outing in a maiden hurdle race when evens fav here over 2m (good) last month, beating Explode by 8l. Has also won at Newton Abbot this season.
Quickened clear readily and improved for debut experience when winning a maiden hurdle here by 7 1/2l last time. Trainer is in form; effective at 2m and acts on good ground. More to come over hurdles if sharpening up jumping and holds strong claims if handling conditions.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% | |
| Hurdle | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| C | Course | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Sam Twiston-Davies | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| T | A J Honeyball | 5 | 2 | 1 | 40% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Improved when stepped up in trip to win a maiden hurdle at Ayr by 12l last time. Effective over 2m to 2m4f and acts on soft and good to soft. Latest form had knocks but remains progressive.
Won on his latest outing in a maiden hurdle race when 11-4fav at Ayr over 2m 4f (soft) last month, beating Sleedagh by 12l.
Improved when stepped up in trip to win a maiden hurdle at Ayr by 12l last time. Effective over 2m to 2m4f and acts on soft and good to soft. Latest form had knocks but remains progressive.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% | |
| Hurdle | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 33.3% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 33.3% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | S Bowen | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% |
| T | O Murphy | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Gentlewave gelding who is a half-brother to Alfa Charlie, who was poor at 16f. Yard can get them ready first time, and he makes his hurdle debut here with that in mind.
Dam won in NH flat race at 2m.
Gentlewave gelding who is a half-brother to Alfa Charlie, who was poor at 16f. Yard can get them ready first time, and he makes his hurdle debut here with that in mind.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hurdle | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Similar Going | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Dylan Johnston | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | S Thomas | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Improved when upped in trip, finishing a 17l third in a novice hurdle here on his most recent run. Effective over 2m to 2m3f and acts on good ground. Probably one for handicaps after this.
Placed in a hurdle race from two starts. Third of 13 behind Religous Cross beaten 18l at 33-1 on his latest outing in a hurdle race over this course and distance (good) in December last year.
Improved when upped in trip, finishing a 17l third in a novice hurdle here on his most recent run. Effective over 2m to 2m3f and acts on good ground. Probably one for handicaps after this.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% | |
| Hurdle | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| C | Course | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Similar Going | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Non Runner | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | J Scott | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Outpaced and looked in need of a stiffer test when finishing down the field in a novice hurdle here most recently. Returns from a short break and is likely to need more time, with a longer trip possibly suiting.
Unplaced in both starts over hurdles. Well beaten at 250-1 behind Knock Off Soxs when 12th of 14 on his latest outing in a hurdle race here over 2m (good) in December last year.
Outpaced and looked in need of a stiffer test when finishing down the field in a novice hurdle here most recently. Returns from a short break and is likely to need more time, with a longer trip possibly suiting.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Hurdle | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Similar Going | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Charlie Deutsch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| T | J D Frost | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Pulled up in a maiden hurdle at Fakenham latest, having never travelled or jumped fluently. Effective at 3m in points and acts on good ground, but looks one for further down the line.
Placed in a point-to-point from seven starts. Pulled up 2 out when 80-1 at Fakenham over 2m 4f (soft) in a maiden hurdle race won by Kilbakanto in December last year on his latest outing.
Pulled up in a maiden hurdle at Fakenham latest, having never travelled or jumped fluently. Effective at 3m in points and acts on good ground, but looks one for further down the line.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Hurdle | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Similar Going | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Ben Jones | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | Evan Williams | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Made a modest debut when finishing down the field in a maiden hurdle at Exeter on his most recent start. May need more time to find his level over hurdles.
Unplaced in both NH starts. Well beaten at 200-1 behind Johnny's Jury when 12th of 14 on his hurdling debut at Exeter over 2m 1f (good to soft) last month.
Made a modest debut when finishing down the field in a maiden hurdle at Exeter on his most recent start. May need more time to find his level over hurdles.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Hurdle | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Similar Going | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Conor Ring | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| T | Evan Williams | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Again ran to a moderate level when comfortably held in a maiden hurdle here last time. Has all to prove over hurdles based on efforts so far.
Unplaced in both starts over hurdles. Well beaten at 200-1 behind Crest Of Stars when fifth of 8 on his latest outing in a maiden hurdle race here over 2m (good) last month.
Again ran to a moderate level when comfortably held in a maiden hurdle here last time. Has all to prove over hurdles based on efforts so far.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Hurdle | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Similar Going | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (T only) | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Rex Dingle | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | S Hosie | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Yard won this race last year. Improved from debut when fourth, beaten 6l, in a bumper at Newbury latest. Returning from a long layoff; effective at 2m and a point winner who should improve for a step up in trip on hurdle debut.
A winner of a point-to-point at 3m. Finished 6l behind Kadastral when fourth of 11 at 5-1 on his latest outing in a NH flat race at Newbury over 2m (good) in March last year.
Yard won this race last year. Improved from debut when fourth, beaten 6l, in a bumper at Newbury latest. Returning from a long layoff; effective at 2m and a point winner who should improve for a step up in trip on hurdle debut.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Hurdle | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Similar Going | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 33.3% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | H Cobden | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| T | P F Nicholls | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Verdict
Sam Thomas is enjoying a fine season and Angel Wave must be monitored in the betting on his racecourse debut. Even so, the 124-rated KINGS CHAMPION sets a decent standard judged on his facile victory at Ayr and should take all the beating. Fellow penalised winner Crest Of Stars came good at the second time of asking over hurdles here and is likely to be in the thick of the action too.
Expert View Verdict
CREST OF STARS needs to prove he handles testing ground but if doing so he can defy a penalty. He showed a good turn of foot here last time over shorter and his bumper has been franked at Listed level. Kings Champion was untested when winning last time and sets the standard on ratings so is an obvious danger but that form has had some knocks so he will need to improve. Point winner Talk To The Man ran well in a strong bumper last time and also looks a threat starting out over hurdles for a local yard with an excellent record here.
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Previous Winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Soft | 10 | Go West | 7 | 11 9 | - | 2210-51 | 44 days | P F Nicholls (31 miles) | Harry Cobden | 13/ 8 | 4:57.15 | |
| 2024 (Div 1) | Good | 9 | The Doyen Chief | 7 | 11 9 | - | F11-21U | 16 days | A King (78 miles) | Tom Cannon | 11/ 8 | 4:51.09 | |
| 2024 (Div 2) | Good | 10 | Fire Flyer | 6 | 11 9 | - | 1Y7Y-2Y2H1H | 5 days | P F Nicholls (31 miles) | H Cobden | 5/ 6 | 4:54.45 | |
| 2023 | Good to Soft | 12 | Holetown Hero | 6 | 11 9 | - | 752-441 | 48 days | P F Nicholls (31 miles) | Harry Cobden | 11/ 8 | 4:44.00 | |
| 2022 | Good to Soft | 10 | Doctor Parnassus | 4 | 10 7 | - | 602621 | 17 days | D Skelton (115 miles) | Harry Skelton | 4/ 11 | 4:56.00 | |
| 2020 | Soft | 8 | Northofthewall | 6 | 11 10 | - | 5-23216 | 22 days | D Skelton (115 miles) | Harry Skelton | 2/ 1 | 5:02.95 | |
| 2019 (Div 1) | Soft | 7 | Bold Plan | 5 | 11 4 | - | 12-33 | 62 days | Evan Williams (95 miles) | Sean Bowen | 6/ 4 | 4:54.60 | |
| 2019 (Div 2) | Soft | 9 | Third Wind | 5 | 11 10 | - | 3Y0Y-1H2H | 29 days | H Morrison (102 miles) | R Johnson | 1/ 2 | 4:54.00 |
Race Favourite Stats
| Year | Favourite Finish Position | Winner Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | DNF | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 | 2 |
Race Record
| Distance | Record Time |
|---|---|
| 2m 3f 1y | 4:27.50 |
