13:50 Taunton

Tuesday 30 December 2025

All12:5013:2013:5014:2014:5015:2315:55

Haydn Harrisson Christmas Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 5m 50.18s

Ballyfinn^t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 106| BF

11/1

Lightly-raced maiden shaped better than result when third of 4 on Plumpton chase debut 6 weeks ago, his first outing for 18 months. May do better.

Form: 2587/2-3

Dyno Dave²⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Freddie Gordon| T: N J Henderson| OR: 105

14/1

Failed to progress in maiden/novice hurdles in the spring but top yard perseveres and it'll be interesting to see what the betting makes of him now switching to fences for his handicap debut after 8 months off.

Form: 546-

Jongleur D'etoiles^t,p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 104

25/1

Progressive in staying handicap hurdles, winning 4 times, but well held on his completed start over fences since returning from a 6-month break. Still plenty of time for him to come good over fences. Market support worth noting.

Form: 312-19U

Hello Cello^t³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 102

18/1

Off the mark over hurdles at Fontwell (19f) in October but disappointing switched to fences at Windsor since.

Form: 66-2315

Bertie Wooster^t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 99| C

9/2

Runner-up over C&D on his last 2 outings but now 0-9 in this sphere and the suspicion is he might be vulnerable for the win again.

Form: 3P-3722

Move With The Beat²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Isabelle Ryder⁽⁷⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 97

10/1

Multiple point winner. Shaped better than result when fifth in 3m Exeter handicap chase on his yard debut in November but blotted his copybook by refusing to race at Hereford since. Needs treating with a degree of caution after that.

Form: 2111-5R

Reforme^t1²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R T Dunne| T: T R Gretton| OR: 92

22/1

Got off the mark over fences at Fakenham (3m) in October but may have been a little fortunate (length down when left in lead last). Found only a 1 lb rise enough to stop her in a stronger race at Leicester since. Tongue tied first time.

Form: 565214

Fat Faced Columbo⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 90

6/4

Runner-up in an Irish point and he shaped promisingly when close second to a next-time-out winner (pair clear) in 10-runner handicap at Exeter (3m, good to soft) on his debut over fences 6 weeks ago. Raised 6 lb but could easily still be ahead of his mark.

Form: P/243-2

Only Gossip¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Callum Pritchard⁽³⁾| T: P Gundry| OR: 88

11/1

Hasn't bettered modest form over hurdles, including a couple of handicaps, but is a winning pointer so chasing may be more her thing.

Form: 9304-55

Inchagoill Lady^t,p¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Chad Bament⁽⁷⁾| T: K Pickard| OR: 83| C

11/2

Off the mark in 3m handicap hurdle here in April and another good Taunton run when second in a 2¼m chase 19 days ago. Back up in trip.

Form: P1-5622

Forecasts

Fat Faced Columbo (6/4), Bertie Wooster (9/2), Inchagoill Lady (11/2), Move With The Beat (10/1), Only Gossip (11/1), Ballyfinn (11/1), Dyno Dave (14/1), Hello Cello (18/1), Reforme (22/1), Jongleur D'etoiles (25/1)

FAT FACED COLUMBO has had the form of his Exeter chase debut near miss boosted and still looks on a good mark despite a 6 lb rise. Ballyfinn is entitled to come on for his own chase debut, given it came after an absence, and is second choice unless the betting vibes are strong surrounding Nicky Henderson handicap chase newcomer Dyno Dave.