Taunton Race 1 - Dragonbet The Roar Before Cheltenham Extra Places Ebf Junior 'National Hunt' Hurdle (Gbb Race)
MECENE (3) has shown plenty of ability managing to place both starts to date including latest behind a Triumph Hurdle contender. Given plenty of time between races again and can shed the maiden tag. DAKOTA STAR (2) perhaps disappointed first up in November when finishing third of six as favourite. Related to National Hunt winners and had wind surgery since. Could contend. SIXTY'S ROCK (5) is out of a decent hurdler and progressed between first two attempts. Each way possibilities. Newcomers SEE ME LATER (4) and ANOTHER ENKI (1) are worthy of consideration with the latter being a half-brother to useful chaser Yala Enki.
Jockey: K Brogan
Weight: 70kgs
Stats
Comments
Four-year-old gelding who is first race starter by No Risk At All out of Cadiane. Worth watching closely.
Jockey: Callum Pritchard
Weight: 70kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming from a lengthy break. At only start last campaign finished third in a small field at Hereford on November 3 over 3200m, 9 len behind Planters Punch carrying 70kg at $2.50. Looks a danger to the top picks.
Last Starts 126 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/6 | 03/11/2025 | - | HDLE HUNT 3 | $16,330.00 | Hereford | 3218m | Good | Ben Jones | 70kg | 3:58.20 | 5-4-3 | 0 |
| 9.8L | $2.50 |
Jockey: C Gethings
Weight: 70kgs
Stats
Comments
Raced twice to date. At debut, held ground to the line finished second of 7 runners at Wincanton on December 4 over 3000m, 3.5 len behind Milou Du Chenet with 70kg at $5.50. Second-up raced on speed throughout then finished third of 7 runners at Warwick on January 23 over 3200m, 7 len behind Feel Gut carrying 70kg at $11. Definite winning chance. Could prove tough to beat.
Last Starts 45 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/7 | 23/01/2026 | 50 | HDLE HUNT 4 | $19,960.00 | Warwick Uk | 3218m | Good Soft | Ciaran Gethings | 70kg | 3:53.07 | 2-2-3 | 0 |
| 7.5L | $11.00 |
| 2/7 | 04/12/2025 | - | HDLE HUNT 3 | $16,330.00 | Wincanton | 3017m | Good Soft | Ciaran Gethings | 70kg | 3:46.85 | 2-2-2 | 0 |
| 3.5L | $5.50 |
Jockey: Stan Sheppard
Weight: 70kgs
Stats
Comments
Four-year-old gelding who is first race starter by Nathaniel out of Urticaire. Making race debut here. Market watch advised.
Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
Weight: 70kgs
Stats
Comments
Had two starts to date. At debut, made some head-way from midfield; finished fifth of 7 runners at Wincanton on December 4 over 3000m, 13 len behind Milou Du Chenet with 70kg at $9. Second-up finished third of 8 runners at Newbury on January 14 over 3300m, 11 len behind Matiwo with 70kg at $5.50. Definite winning chance. Winning chance.
Last Starts 54 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | 14/01/2026 | 41 | HDLE HUNT 4 | $27,220.00 | Newbury | 3319m | Good Soft | Tom Bellamy | 70kg | 4:01.22 | 4-3-3 | 0 |
| 11.8L | $5.50 |
| 5/7 | 04/12/2025 | - | HDLE HUNT 3 | $16,330.00 | Wincanton | 3017m | Good Soft | Tom Bellamy | 70kg | 3:46.85 | 4-4-5 | 0 |
| 13.0L | $9.00 |
Jockey: Sean Houlihan
Weight: 66.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a break; at only start last campaign finished tenth of 11 runners at Ludlow on December 17 over 3200m, 53 len behind Stroke Play carrying 68.5kg at $17. Better for the run but looks tested in this line-up.
Last Starts 82 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/11 | 17/12/2025 | - | HDLE HUNT F 3 | $14,520.00 | Ludlow | 3218m | Good Soft | Callum Pritchard | 68.5kg | 3:54.02 | 8-8-10 | 0 |
| 53.3L | $17.00 |
Jockey: Lorcan Williams
Weight: 66.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Racing second-up. First race start finished ninth of 13 starters at Stratford-On-Avon on October 30 over 3270m, 22 len behind Galaxy Star carrying 70kg at $34. Went for a spell before returning finished fourth of 8 starters at Newbury on January 14 over 3300m, 21 len behind Matiwo carrying 66.5kg at $26. Will strip fitter but needs to go up a notch.
Last Starts 54 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/8 | 14/01/2026 | 76 | HDLE HUNT 4 | $27,220.00 | Newbury | 3319m | Good Soft | Lorcan Williams | 66.5kg | 4:01.22 | 6-4-4 | 0 |
| 21.8L | $26.00 |
| 9/13 | 30/10/2025 | - | HUNT FLAT F 3 | $8,300.00 | Stratford Avon | 3282m | Good Soft | Lorcan Williams | 70kg | 4:01.85 | 9-7-9 | 0 |
| 22.5L | $34.00 |
Jockey: Jack Tudor
Weight: 66.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 41 day let-up. Last run settled back and ran on when finished fifth of 10 runners at Chepstow on January 27 over 3200m, slow track; 25 len behind Charisma Cat carrying 65kg at $51. Run before ran on from midfield; finished fourth in a small field at Leicester on November 30 over 3100m, on slow going 8 len behind Lucy The Wire with 70kg at $34. Must be a chance in today's scenario.
Last Starts 41 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/10 | 27/01/2026 | 58 | HDLE M 4U | $18,150.00 | Chepstow | 3218m | Soft | Jack Tudor | 65kg | 4:10.56 | 8-6-5 | 0 |
| 25.3L | $51.00 |
| 4/5 | 30/11/2025 | 31 | HDLE HUNT F 3 | $16,330.00 | Leicester | 3118m | Soft | Jack Tudor | 70kg | 3:57.67 | 2-4-4 | 0 |
| 8.5L | $34.00 |
| 6/13 | 30/10/2025 | - | HUNT FLAT F 3 | $8,300.00 | Stratford Avon | 3282m | Good Soft | James Best | 70kg | 4:01.85 | 11-9-6 | 0 |
| 17.0L | $81.00 |