14:15 Taunton

Thursday 12 February 2026

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:00

Ross Stacey Still Cannot Cook Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 2.74s

Gower Spirit¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 100

13/2

Handicap winner in November and has run well on last two starts, finishing second on both occasions. Second of 4 in handicap hurdle at Hereford (11/8) 17 days ago, again unlucky to bump into one with her rider quick to accept the situation. Remains of interest at this level.

Form: 17P822

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Broomfield Gale^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Robbie David⁽⁷⁾| T: Daisy Hitchins| OR: 98| C

8/1

Quirky sort won her second race of the season in a course handicap hurdle (9/2) 21 days ago, helped by a well-run race after a drop in trip, drawing clear. Up 6lbs for that success but still merits respect off a career-high mark with tongue strap back on.

Form: R-12371

Perfect Nelson⁶⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 97

17/2

Yet to match his fair bumper form over hurdles and has been off for 659 days since finishing sixth of 9 on handicap bow at this C&D (28/1), where he was untidy at times and not persevered with after being hampered at the last. Worth a market check on his return.

Form: 226F06/

Jackomy²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 97

22/1

Fell when clear at the last on sole start in points during the spring. Well beaten at long odds all four hurdle starts to date and was tailed off eighth of 13 on handicap debut at Wincanton (40/1) 28 days ago. Steps back up in trip and warrants a second look in the betting given who trains him.

Form: F-9608

All Night Parking^t1³³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Houlihan| T: C J Gray| OR: 95

125/1

Two-time point winner who showed promise over hurdles before seventh of 12 in maiden at Worcester (28/1) 574 days ago, raced well off the pace and merely passed beaten horses. Well beaten in point-to-points since and bit to prove on handicap debut in first-time tongue strap under Rules.

Form: 1447FP-

Ask Peter^t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: James Robottom⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 87

11/2

Has been running mainly in novice company and made the switch to handicaps recently. Third of 10 in handicap at this C&D (8/1) 9 days ago and made more impact than previously. Could have more to offer in this sphere.

Form: 657363

Cooler Than Me^p¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Fern O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 83

10/11

Lightly raced 8-y-o who had been disappointing for this yard prior to latest first of 9 in handicap hurdle at Market Rasen 11 days ago, showing much improved form in first-time cheekpieces (retained) and displaying a likeable attitude when things got tough. Runs off unchanged mark and can follow up.

Form: PBP-801

Stage Show^t¹¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Isabelle Ryder⁽⁵⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 79

18/1

Finally opened his account in 7-runner handicap hurdle at Exeter (9/2, good) 114 days ago, stepping up on recent run and seeing out the longer trip well. Cheekpieces removed and not an obvious candidate to follow up under different conditions given his previous record.

Form: 92-9741

Nobody Told Me^p⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: T Faulkner| OR: 79

18/1

Hasn't won in 19 races and seventh of 13 in handicap hurdle at Taunton (9/1) 63 days ago, wasn't sparked back to form by the addition of cheekpieces. Mark in freefall but has plenty to prove.

Form: 8/4PU-67

Talap^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Jack Tudor| T: G F Edwards| OR: 71

100/1

Fairly useful on Flat but hasn't won in nearly 3 years and remains with little form over hurdles, tailed off when tenth of 13 in handicap hurdle at Wincanton (40/1) 28 days ago. 3 lb out of the handicap and could only be considered if supported with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 9/3-37P0

Forecasts

Cooler Than Me (10/11), Ask Peter (11/2), Gower Spirit (13/2), Broomfield Gale (8/1), Perfect Nelson (17/2), Nobody Told Me (18/1), Stage Show (18/1), Jackomy (22/1), Talap (100/1), All Night Parking (125/1)

COOLER THAN ME showed much improved form to win at Market Rasen 11 days ago in first-time cheekpieces, displaying a likeable attitude when things got tough. The lightly raced 8-y-o runs off an unchanged mark and can follow up. Ask Peter made more impact when third at this C&D 9 days ago and could have more to offer in handicaps, while recent course winner Broomfield Gale should remain competitive. Perfect Nelson and Jackomy are a couple to note in the market.