15:40 Taunton

Thursday 9 April 2026

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

Tony & Carole Stocker Anniversary Surprise Mares' Handicap Hurdle

  • 4YO plus  |   Class 5  |   2m 104y  |   Good  |   8 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 15:40  |   Winning time: 4m 11.02s
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The word Betfair in black.
The words Paddy Power in green.
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
1
Horse silk
Just A Heartbeath,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.
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Timeform
2
Horse silk
Miracles Do Happenh,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.
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Timeform
3
Horse silk
Little Veniceh,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.
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Timeform
4
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
5
Horse silk
Aquifoliah169
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.
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Timeform
6
Horse silk
Ask Petert56
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.
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Timeform
7
Horse silk
Night Burlesqueh,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.
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Timeform
9
Horse silk
For Love Of Beautyt39
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.
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Timeform

Non-Runners

8
Horse silk
Dance Havana16
Weight: 10-8|  Age: 6
T: G Harris  J: Harry Reed
NR

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)

Verdict

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.

Prize Money

1st: £4,753.002nd: £2,187.003rd: £1,094.004th: £547.005th: £273.00

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