13:40 Taunton

Tuesday 3 February 2026

All13:4014:1214:4515:1515:4516:1516:45

Racing To School Celebrates 25 Years Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 1)

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 4m 53.23s

Crest Of Stars^t²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 114| C

7/2

Built on hurdling debut promise when making all in 8-runner novice hurdle here (16.5f, soft) 26 days ago, responding well to pressure. Has more to offer, especially now stepped up in trip. Player.

Form: 92-131

Kings Champion³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 124

10/11

Highly progressive sort who easily bagged 11-runner novice hurdle at Ayr (20.4f, soft) 32 days ago. Big shout with more improvement on the cards.

Form: 3-31

Angel Wave

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Dylan Johnston| T: S Thomas

11/2

Dam, useful bumper winner, is a half-sister to fairly useful hurdler (stayed 3m) Angels Antics. This Gentlewave gelding needs considering, especially if the market vibes are positive.

Form:

Hannibal Bogan⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: J D Frost

150/1

Twice-raced maiden, still looking green when 12th of 14 in novice hurdle (250/1) at this course (16.5f, good) 54 days ago. Can do better in the longer term.

Form: 80

Kings Order⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: Evan Williams

100/1

Reached the frame in points but failed to build on earlier hurdling promise when pulled up at Fakenham last time. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 42-70FP

Like A Dancer²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams

200/1

Hinted at promise when a debut sixth in Ffos Las bumper but only twelfth of 14 in novice at Exeter (16.7f, soft) on hurdles bow 25 days ago.

Form: 60

Marhaba Million^t²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: S Hosie

150/1

A fair maiden on the Flat for Owen Burrows in 2024 but lost his form on the level for Anthony Charlton and also offered little in either start over hurdles for current yard this season. Not easy to make a case for.

Form: 05

Talk To The Man³¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

11/4

Point winner. Only fifth in a heavy-ground bumper on debut but offered more when fourth in a valuable bumper at Newbury under quicker conditions in the spring. Decent hurdle prospect for top stable.

Form: 1/54-

Non-Runners

Bye Bye Salam³⁵

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: J Scott J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Kings Champion (10/11), Talk To The Man (11/4), Crest Of Stars (7/2), Angel Wave (11/2), Bye Bye Salam (16/1), Kings Order (100/1), Marhaba Million (150/1), Hannibal Bogan (150/1), Like A Dancer (200/1)

KINGS CHAMPION looked a good prospect when opening his account at Ayr last month and can defy a 7 lb penalty at the chief expense of course scorer Crest Of Stars who rates a big threat though now stepping up in trip. Hurdling newcomers Talk To The Man and Angel Wave bring potential and are not without interest either in an intriguing contest.