14:00 Taunton

Thursday 8 January 2026

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

3 February Sporting Clubs Day Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 2)

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 4m 12.57s

Anthracite⁶²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland

80/1

Modest maiden on the Flat. Sold out of Robert Eddery yard for £5,000 and looked rusty on stable/handicap debut when well held over 1m at Windsor in April 2024. Plenty to prove now sent hurdling following further 20-month absence.

Form:

Crest Of Stars^t³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| BF

1/1

Showed improved form to win Newton Abbot bumper on return but was held back by inexperience when third in an 8-runner novice at Plumpton on hurdle debut at the beginning of last month, jumped sketchily. Strong in the market that day and no surprise to see him take a step forward here.

Form: 92-13

Dino Moon⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams

150/1

Related to winners but was edgy in the preliminaries prior to finishing last in a 6-runner Ascot bumper in November and will need to show much more here on hurdles debut.

Form: 6

Marhaba Million^t,p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Kimber| T: S Hosie

200/1

Fairly useful maiden on the Flat for Owen Burrows in 2024 but lost his form on the level for current connections and offered little sent hurdling at Taunton last month. Questions to answer.

Form: 0

Monsun Climate²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: C Gethings| T: A Ralph

5/1

Didn't offer much in points but showed his first ability when 125/1 fifth in a 15-runner novice at Ludlow (15.8f, soft) 22 days ago, not knocked about. Probably one for handicaps.

Form: FFP-7P5

Lydeard Girl²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Ben Godfrey| T: K Woollacott

9/1

Well held in 2 bumpers and no real short-term promise either start over hurdles. Will be better off in handicaps down the line.

Form: 8-756

Explode²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: H Cobden| T: Faye Bramley| BF

13/8

Fairly useful 10f winner on the Flat for James Ferguson and showed much improved form on second start for Faye Bramley when fourth in a 10-runner juvenile hurdles at Newbry last month, despite overdoing things on the front end. Likely to be capable of better again.

Form: 44

I'll Give It A Go²⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams

80/1

Closely related to prolific hurdler in Jersey George Bancroft (2m-2½m winner, by Australia). Fair maiden on Flat (stays 9.5f) for James Owen. but finished well held in handicap last April. Probably a longer-term jumps project for new yard, unless market suggests otherwise.

Form:

Non-Runners

Bee's Kiss²¹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 6

T: J D Frost J: Cameron Iles

Pourquoi Pas Papa³⁴

Weight: 10-9| Age: 4

T: P F Nicholls J: H Cobden

Forecasts

Pourquoi Pas Papa (4/6), Crest Of Stars (1/1), Explode (13/8), Monsun Climate (5/1), Lydeard Girl (9/1), Anthracite (80/1), I'll Give It A Go (80/1), Dino Moon (150/1), Marhaba Million (200/1), Bee's Kiss (200/1)

Having shown plenty to finish runner-up on both starts to date, this looks a good opportunity for expensive purchase POURQUOI PAS PAPA to get off the mark. Fairly useful Flat performer Explode appeals as a danger, particularly if the market vibes are positive on his third start over hurdles, while fair bumper winner Crest Of Stars can improve from his hurdling bow.