14:50 Taunton

Thursday 12 February 2026

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

Paul Barber Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 6m 6.11s

Hell Hound^t⁴⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 105| BF

4/1

Fair hurdler who won a maiden in 2024 before fourth of 10 in 19f handicap hurdle at Ascot (3/1 fav) 467 days ago, matched previous form and likely to do better when faced with a greater test of stamina. Has the air of an even better chaser but market should prove best guide after 15 months off.

Form: 201/134-

Jongleur D'etoiles^t,p⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 104

10/1

Progressive hurdles winner who has made a promising start to his chase career. Second of 10 in handicap chase at this C&D (25/1) 44 days ago, didn't settle fully but kept on gradually to show form closer to his hurdles ability. Capable of better for stable who also saddle Hell Hound.

Form: 12-19U2

Bataillon²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Jack Stenhouse⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 103| CD

7/2

Didn't see out the race on his debut over fences on return at Catterick in December. Got off the mark when winning 14-runner handicap chase at this C&D (12/1) 26 days ago, going prominent 4 out and driven out, seemingly fitter and seeing things out well. Open to further improvement and up 6lb.

Form: P2/2-641

Call Me Arthur²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 103

9/2

Improved on second start since returning from a lengthy absence, won over fences for the first time at Huntingdon (7/2) 3 weeks ago, jumping better than previously and winning in clear-cut fashion. Up 10 lb but getting the hang of things over fences now.

Form: 92/19-41

The Blueberry One^p1¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 102

33/1

Showed promise when second over hurdles on handicap bow in January last year but unable to justify support when sixth of 7 in handicap chase at Wincanton (11/2) 14 days ago on chasing debut after 11 months off, made a chance-ending mistake at 4 out. Too soon dismiss in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 067/29-6

Another Day Out^b²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 100

22/1

Three-time winner over fences last season. Reached the frame on his first 3 outings of this campaign but fifth of 9 in handicap chase at Leicester (14/1) 23 days ago where she led before weakening from 4 out. Blinkers back on (cheekpieces removed) which may help this quirky mare.

Form: 7-324F5

Gingerbred²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: James Davies| T: C J Gray| OR: 99

22/1

Left Philip Hobbs & Johnson White's yard last November and shaped as if in good form when second at Taunton the following month. Pulled up in 16-runner handicap chase at Windsor (33/1) 25 days ago, labouring from twelfth, but back in more realistic company here.

Form: 3/3-022P

Shot Boii^b1²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Rian Corcoran⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 95| BF| D

16/1

Winless in 15 and two pulled-up efforts in last three starts, most recently as 2/1 favourite in handicap chase at Ludlow 28 days ago when his race was essentially over at the first (all but came down). First-time blinkers replace visor and on a workable mark if that does the trick.

Form: 434-P2P

School For Scandal²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: Taylor Fisher| T: J Tickle| OR: 82| CD

25/1

Veteran who won at Windsor in November but was then tailed off before fourth of 14 in C&D handicap chase (22/1) 26 days ago, ran respectably to make the frame for second year running. Reliability remains a concern.

Form: P14174

Ted The Thief²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford| OR: 79| BF

5/2

Much better chaser than hurdler, with creditable efforts at Wincanton and here recently. Second of 14 in handicap chase at this course and distance (11/8 fav) 26 days ago, matched his Wincanton form despite a fairly severe early error and pulled clear with Bataillon. Remains of interest.

Form: 94-8432

Forecasts

Ted The Thief (5/2), Bataillon (7/2), Hell Hound (4/1), Call Me Arthur (9/2), Jongleur D'etoiles (10/1), Shot Boii (16/1), Gingerbred (22/1), Another Day Out (22/1), School For Scandal (25/1), The Blueberry One (33/1)

JONGLEUR D'ETOILES has made a promising start to his chase career and showed something closer to his hurdles form when second at this C&D 44 days ago. He's capable of better and fancied to come out on top ahead of Bataillon who got off the mark here 26 days ago, seeing things out well and he's open to further improvement despite a 6 lb rise. Ted The Thief was second that day despite a severe early error and remains one to consider. along with Call Me Arthur.