15:40 Taunton

Thursday 9 April 2026

All14:3215:0715:4016:1516:5017:2017:55

Tony & Carole Stocker Anniversary Surprise Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 4m 11.02s

Just A Heartbeat^h,t¹⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: C P O'Shea⁽⁷⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 96

5/1

Promise when in the frame on both bumper starts and further encouragement when runner-up on hurdles bow at Fontwell in May. Well beaten both subsequent outings and opening mark looks on stiff side returning from 154 days off.

Form: 42-299

Miracles Do Happen^h,t1³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 94

5/1

Has found her headstrong tendencies holding her back over hurdles after showing some promise in bumpers, most recently when sixth in an 8-runner event at Hereford (2m, good to soft) last month. Tongue strap on 1st time here.

Form: 283606

Little Venice^h,t⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 91

10/3

Quirky sort was reluctant to set off but was in the right place at the business end when getting off the mark over hurdles in a 7-runner handicap at Wincanton (15f) at the end of February. 4 lb looks fair and she should be in the mix if in the same mood this time.

Form: 522371

Bluenose Belle²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: R T Phillips| OR: 86

13/2

Made it 2 wins from as many starts in handicap hurdles at Market Rasen (16.6f) in May. Unlucky to bump into one at Ludlow 7 months later and wasn't ever ideally positioned when fifth back over hurdles at Huntingdon last month. Respected.

Form: 431-125

Aquifolia^h¹⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 86

11/2

Showed more when runner-up at Fontwell in August and eventually caught the eye when sixth of 14 at Worcester (2m, good to soft) when last seen in October, finishing with running left after going in snatches. Interesting returning from an absence with the reapplication of headgear a positive.

Form: 527246

Ask Peter^t⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: James Robottom⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 85

7/2

Front runner improved when third over 19f here on her second handicap start back in February but below that level at the same C&D 9 days later.

Form: 573637

Night Burlesque^h,t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Toby Wynne| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 84

18/1

In frame on the last of her 3 bumper outings but there's been very little to like about her efforts over hurdles so far, including on handicap debut at Wetherby last time.

Form: 6-439P7

For Love Of Beauty^t³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: James Davies| T: Noel Williams| OR: 76WS

33/1

Little promise in bumpers/maiden hurdles for David Killahena & Graeme McPherson and fared no better on debut for this yard at Huntingdon last month. Makes handicap debut.

Form: 5-687P

Non-Runners

Dance Havana¹⁶

Weight: 10-8| Age: 6

T: G Harris J: Harry Reed

Forecasts

Little Venice (10/3), Ask Peter (7/2), Miracles Do Happen (5/1), Just A Heartbeat (5/1), Aquifolia (11/2), Dance Havana (6/1), Bluenose Belle (13/2), Night Burlesque (18/1), For Love Of Beauty (33/1)

A tricky event in which a chance is taken with AQUIFOLIA, who did some good late work when last seen and returns from nearly 6 months off sporting a hood for the first time in a handicap. Her stablemate Little Venice clearly isn't straightforward but a 4 lb rise for her latest win should see her remain competitive, whilst Dance Havana is interesting on her second outing after a lengthy absence.