17:20 Taunton 09 Apr 2026
Mike's Seventieth Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase
Class 5 | 5YO plus
Winner £5,968 - 7 run
- Winner
- Top 2 Finish
- Top 3 Finish
- W/O Mcgregors Charge
- W/O Hall Lane And Mcgregors Charge
- W/O
- Insure 2 Places
- W/O Hall Lane
- Finish Exactly 2nd
- Top 4 Finish
- Insure 3 Places
- Not To Win
Back about to level of form before absence beaten 2l off this mark at Huntingdon last time; effective 2m4f to 3m, acts on good to soft and good, possibly not soft; possibly a little more to come now back in better form.
Successful in a hurdle race and a chase at 2m 4f and 3m on good and good to soft ground. Beaten 2l by Jukebox D'eddy when second of 6 at 17-2 on his latest outing in a chase at Huntingdon over 3m (good) last month.
Back about to level of form before absence beaten 2l off this mark at Huntingdon last time; effective 2m4f to 3m, acts on good to soft and good, possibly not soft; possibly a little more to come now back in better form.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 16 | 2 | 4 | 12.5% | |
| Chase | 12 | 1 | 4 | 8.3% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Course | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Distance | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| G | Similar Going | 16 | 2 | 4 | 12.5% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 15 | 2 | 4 | 13.3% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 13 | 1 | 4 | 7.7% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Jack Hogan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| T | F O'Brien | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Made too much use of well beaten in a handicap chase at Hereford latest back from pointing; effective 2 1/2m, acts on good; well treated on old efforts but becoming frustrating.
Winner of a hurdle race and four chases from 2m 3f to 2m 5f on good ground, but last win was over three years ago. Well beaten at 14-1 behind Jack Doyen when seventh of 9 on his latest outing in a chase at Hereford over 2m 5f (good) last month.
Made too much use of well beaten in a handicap chase at Hereford latest back from pointing; effective 2 1/2m, acts on good; well treated on old efforts but becoming frustrating.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 37 | 5 | 8 | 13.5% | |
| Chase | 26 | 4 | 6 | 15.4% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 35 | 5 | 8 | 14.3% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 31 | 4 | 6 | 12.9% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Non Runner | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | David Dennis | 1 | 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 last year; never threatened when fourth in a handicap chase at Plumpton latest; in good form before that; effective 3m on good and good to soft; recent form has been franked.
A winner of a chase at 3m 2f on good ground. Well beaten at 11-2 behind Ferret Jeeter when fourth of 7 on his latest outing in a chase at Plumpton over 3m 2f (good to soft) last month.
Yard won this last year; never threatened when fourth in a handicap chase at Plumpton latest; in good form before that; effective 3m on good and good to soft; recent form has been franked.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 22 | 1 | 4 | 4.6% | |
| Chase | 16 | 1 | 4 | 6.3% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Distance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| G | Similar Going | 18 | 1 | 4 | 5.6% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 19 | 0 | 4 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 5 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 9.1% |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Mr J J Murphy-Knight | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | Christian Williams | 22 | 1 | 4 | 4.6% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Pulled up in a handicap chase at Hexham latest but better judged on good 2nd previous start; stays 3m2f, acts on good to soft, suited by sound surface; progressive until latest but back from a break here.
A winner of a chase at 3m on good ground. Pulled up having jumped the last when 4-1 at Hexham over 3m (good to soft) in a chase won by Ballydangan in October last year on his latest outing. Having his first run for a new stable today, previously with Ella Pickard.
Pulled up in a handicap chase at Hexham latest but better judged on good 2nd previous start; stays 3m2f, acts on good to soft, suited by sound surface; progressive until latest but back from a break here.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 16 | 1 | 7 | 6.3% | |
| Chase | 10 | 1 | 6 | 10% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| C | Course | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| G | Similar Going | 14 | 1 | 6 | 7.1% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 14 | 1 | 6 | 7.1% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 5 | 12 | 1 | 6 | 8.3% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Ben Godfrey | 9 | 0 | 6 | 0% |
| T | K Woollacott | 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 last year; did plenty early when third in a handicap chase at Newton Abbot most recent run back in August; stays 3m2f, acts on soft and good; form tailed off last summer, competitive mark on best form.
He has won three chases from 3m to 3m 2f on good and soft ground. Third of 5 behind Blackacre beaten 21l at 3-1 on his latest outing in a chase at Newton Abbot over 3m 2f (good) in August last year.
Yard won this last year; did plenty early when third in a handicap chase at Newton Abbot most recent run back in August; stays 3m2f, acts on soft and good; form tailed off last summer, competitive mark on best form.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 14 | 3 | 1 | 21.4% | |
| Chase | 10 | 3 | 1 | 30% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 9 | 2 | 0 | 22.2% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 11 | 1 | 2 | 9.1% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 5 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 30% |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 5 | 1 | 0 | 20% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Jack Tudor | 6 | 1 | 0 | 16.7% |
| T | Christian Williams | 14 | 3 | 1 | 21.4% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
May not have stayed but was found to have wound when third in a handicap chase at Plumpton most recent run; this second run after wind op; effective around 2m4f, acts on good to soft, good; needs more.
She has won two hurdle races and a point-to-point from 2m 3f to 3m on good and good to soft ground. Third of 5 behind Scottish King beaten 32l at 16-5 on her latest outing in a chase at Plumpton over 3m 2f (good to soft) last month.
May not have stayed but was found to have wound when third in a handicap chase at Plumpton most recent run; this second run after wind op; effective around 2m4f, acts on good to soft, good; needs more.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 13 | 2 | 3 | 15.4% | |
| Chase | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| C | Course | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 12 | 2 | 3 | 16.7% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (P only) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 5 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 25% |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 11 | 2 | 1 | 18.2% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Bradley Harris | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | N P Mulholland | 13 | 2 | 3 | 15.4% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Taken on up front when pulled up in a handicap chase at Plumpton latest; effective 2m7f-3m2f, acts on good to soft, good to firm; inconsistent.
Winner of five chases from 2m 6f to 3m 1f on ground varying from good to firm to soft. Pulled up 4 out when 11-1 at Plumpton over 3m 2f (good to soft) in a chase won by Ferret Jeeter last month on his latest outing. Has won at Windsor and Worcester this season.
Taken on up front when pulled up in a handicap chase at Plumpton latest; effective 2m7f-3m2f, acts on good to soft, good to firm; inconsistent.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 40 | 5 | 9 | 12.5% | |
| Chase | 37 | 5 | 9 | 13.5% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 5 | 1 | 1 | 20% |
| C | Course | 9 | 2 | 2 | 22.2% |
| D | Distance | 6 | 2 | 1 | 33.3% |
| G | Similar Going | 28 | 4 | 6 | 14.3% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 32 | 5 | 5 | 15.6% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 5 | 37 | 5 | 9 | 13.5% |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Callum Pritchard | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| T | J Tickle | 36 | 5 | 7 | 13.9% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Needed run when fourth in a handicap chase at Hereford latest; visor first time; effective 2 1/2m, acts on soft and good; inconsistent.
Successful in two chases at 2m 4f and 2m 6f on good and soft ground. Well beaten at 20-1 behind Jack Doyen when fourth of 9 on his latest outing in a chase at Hereford over 2m 5f (good) last month. He is wearing a visor for the first time.
Needed run when fourth in a handicap chase at Hereford latest; visor first time; effective 2 1/2m, acts on soft and good; inconsistent.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 30 | 2 | 6 | 6.7% | |
| Chase | 22 | 2 | 6 | 9.1% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| C | Course | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| G | Similar Going | 20 | 1 | 3 | 5% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (V only) | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 5 | 27 | 2 | 6 | 7.4% |
| Hcp | This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 27 | 2 | 6 | 7.4% |
| Connections | |||||
| J | James Davies | 13 | 1 | 2 | 7.7% |
| T | Henry Oliver | 30 | 2 | 6 | 6.7% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Verdict
HALL LANE improved from his return to action when runner-up at Huntingdon last month and Fergal O'Brien's gelding has every chance of going one better off the same mark. Illogical Logic was disappointing at Plumpton, but is better judged on his efforts prior and it wouldn't be a huge surprise if the eight-year-old returned to form. McGregors Charge appeals most of the remainder.
Expert View Verdict
Quite a tight handicap chase where preference is for HALL LANE who came back to better form last time. Mcgregors Charge disappointed last time, but had been in decent form before that and is a threat. A similar comment applies to Illogical Logic, who may also contend.
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Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good to Firm | 6 | Unspeakable | 7 | 11 8 | 81 | 635324 | 20 days | Christian Williams (100 miles) | Jack Tudor | 10/ 11 | 5:55.90 | |
| 2024 | Soft | 12 | Seymour Promise | 8 | 10 4 | 76 | 08P2P5 | 35 days | J Tizzard (33 miles) | Harry Kimber | 10/ 1 | 6:13.10 | |
| 2023 | Good to Soft | 8 | Imperial Joe | 7 | 11 13 | 99 | 243216 | 21 days | T Dennis (79 miles) | Mr J Bament | 15/ 8 | 6:02.58 | |
| 2022 | Good | 8 | Cobra Commander | 8 | 10 2 | 75 | 233-7PP | 18 days | T Symonds (90 miles) | Niall Houlihan | 12/ 1 | 6:04.51 | |
| 2021 | Good to Firm | 9 | Legend Of Zorro | 8 | 11 6 | 94 | 0416-5P | 118 days | C Honour (54 miles) | Bryan Carver | 15/ 8 | 5:52.35 |