This Cheltenham Festival mares' race treble could be a cracking ante-post bet
6 hours ago
TAUNTON
12 February 2026
Paul Barber Memorial Handicap Chase (Class 5) Racecard
- Channel:
- Distance: 2m 7f 3y
- Going: Heavy
- Runners
- 10
- Type
- Chase Turf
- Surface
- Turf
- Weather
- Light rain
Selection
Selection
Selected At
Hell Hound
Selected at:
7/2
Hell Hound finished second to the very useful Jalon d’Oudairies in a point-to-point over three miles back in 2023, so the 2m7f trip shouldn’t be a problem. He’s lightly raced over hurdles and has the scope to improve now tackling fences.
Bookmaker
Offer
Best Odds
Bet Here
7/2
-
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Racecard
No.(Draw)
Runner
Best Odds
BF
Beaten Favourite - Losing favourite last time out
Hot Recent Form Jockey - 5 wins from 19 in the last 14 days (26%)
Promising in bumpers/over hurdles but off 467 days ahead of chase debut
1/134-
Age: 7
Weight: 12-0
OR: 105
Days: 467
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Nov 24 | Asc Ascot | 19.5f Gd | 4NvHcH | 10-10 t | 4/10 | Ballytechno (8¼L) | 3/1F | 106 | 106 |
| 4 Oct 24 | Fon Fontwell | 17.5f GS | 4NvH | 11-9 t | 3/11 | Reach For The Moon (6¼L) | 7/2 | - | 103 |
| 4 Jun 24 | Sth Southwell | 20.5f GS | 4NvMdH | 11-4 t | 1/11 | Skyjack Hijack (1¼L) | 2/1 | - | 92 |
| 24 Apr 24 | Lud Ludlow | 16f Gd | 4NHF | 11-3 t1 | 1/16 | Big Ginge (nk) | 25/1 | - | 97 |
| 9 Nov 23 | Nby Newbury | 16.5f GS | 4NHF | 11-2 | 12/13 | Gentleman's Relish (27L) | 12/1 | - | 78 |
Four hurdle wins and showed he can do it over fences when second over C&D latest; player
2-19U2
Age: 7
Weight: 11-13
OR: 104
Days: 44
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 25 | Tau Taunton | 23f Gd | 4NvHcCh | 11-12 tp | 2/10 | Fat Faced Columbo (10L) | 25/1 | 104 | 109 |
| 7 Dec 25 | Hun Huntingdon | 23.5f Sft | 4HcCh | 11-8 tp | UR/5 | Zacony Rebel () | 5/1 | 104 | - |
| 7 Nov 25 | Fon Fontwell | 19.5f GS | 5HcCh | 12-0 tp | 9/10 | Realta Liath (51L) | 11/1 | 105 | 69 |
| 7 May 25 | Fon Fontwell | 26f Gd | 4HcH | 11-5 tp | 1/5 | Dear Ralphy (hd) | 7/4F | 101 | 101 |
| 1 Apr 25 | Fak Fakenham | 23.5f Gd | 4HcH | 11-2 tp | 2/5 | Toonagh Warrior (shd) | 5/1 | 98 | 101 |
| 6 Mar 25 | Wcn Wincanton | 24.5f GS | 4HcH | 10-10 tp | 1/10 | Toonagh Warrior (3¼L) | 100/30J | 92 | 100 |
CD
C&D Winner - Won before on this course at this distance
Got up late over C&D on good to soft latest; today's softer ground should suit even better
/2-641
Age: 8
Weight: 11-12
OR: 103
Days: 26
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jan 26 | Tau Taunton | 23f GS | 5HcCh | 11-6 | 1/14 | Ted The Thief (1¾L) | 12/1 | 97 | 106 |
| 16 Dec 25 | Cat Catterick | 19f GS | 5NvHcCh | 11-11 | 4/7 | Passing Pleasure (29L) | 13/2 | 100 | 86 |
| 9 Nov 25 | Ffo Ffos Las | 24f Sft | 4HcH | 11-8 | 6/10 | Mister Barclay (35L) | 8/1 | 102 | 71 |
| 15 May 24 | Ffo Ffos Las | 24f Gd | 4HcH | 11-5 | 2/9 | Spitalfield (4¼L) | 11/1 | 104 | 104 |
| 5 Mar 24 | Lin Lingfield | 19.5f Hy | 4HcH | 10-11 | 2/4 | Ito Ditto (9½L) | 5/1 | 106 | 106 |
| 26 Dec 23 | Wet Wetherby | 19.5f Sft | 4NvHcH | 11-11 | PU/12 | Elogio () | 12/1 | 110 | - |
D
Distance Winner - Won before at this distance
Came 15l clear at Huntingdon latest so a 10lb rise looks warranted
/19-41
Age: 7
Weight: 11-12
OR: 103
Days: 21
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Jan 26 | Hun Huntingdon | 23.5f Sft | 5NvHcCh | 11-7 | 1/8 | Hardy Buck (15L) | 7/2 | 93 | 107 |
| 10 Dec 25 | Her Hereford | 21f GS | 5HcCh | 11-9 t | 4/13 | Kingcormac (21L) | 7/1 | 95 | 89 |
| 16 Oct 24 | Wor Worcester | 23f Sft | 5HcCh | 11-7 t | 9/14 | Law Of Supply (51L) | 28/1 | 100 | 63 |
| 22 May 24 | Sth Southwell | 24.5f Sft | 5HcH | 11-10 t | 1/10 | Stripe Of Honour (½L) | 11/4F | 93 | 94 |
| 22 Apr 24 | Ffo Ffos Las | 20f GS | 5NvHcH | 11-4 t1 | 2/8 | Valens Bruyee (hd) | 9/2 | 90 | 94 |
| 27 Jan 24 | Utt Uttoxeter | 20f Hy | 5NvHcH | 11-12 | 9/11 | Ismael (43L) | 7/2 | 91 | 57 |
Well held on recent chase debut but it was his first outing for 11 months; cheekpieces on
7/29-6
Age: 7
Weight: 11-11
OR: 102
Days: 14
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Jan 26 | Wcn Wincanton | 20f Hy | 4NvHcCh | 11-12 | 6/7 | Mutley Crew (34L) | 11/2 | 104 | 86 |
| 4 Mar 25 | Mar Market Rasen | 20.5f GS | 4HcH | 11-9 | 9/10 | Glen Road (33L) | 9/2 | 105 | 78 |
| 11 Jan 25 | Ffo Ffos Las | 20f Sft | 5HcH | 11-10 | 2/11 | Dangerous Touch (2L) | 13/2 | 101 | 102 |
| 23 Mar 24 | Nby Newbury | 16.5f GS | 3NvH | 11-0 | 7/11 | Goodwin (33L) | 20/1 | - | 85 |
| 10 Feb 24 | Nby Newbury | 16.5f Hy | 3NvH | 11-2 | 6/13 | Making Headway (8½L) | 80/1 | - | 102 |
| 23 Jan 24 | Nby Newbury | 16.5f GS | 3MdH | 11-8 | 12/16 | Be Aware (45L) | 7/1 | - | 73 |
D
2 x Distance Winner - Won 2 times before at this distance
Cold Recent Form Jockey - 0 wins from 14 in the last 14 days (0%)
Has blinkers refitted as she bids to bounce back from a couple of lesser efforts
-324F5
Age: 8
Weight: 11-9
OR: 100
Days: 23
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jan 26 | Lei Leicester | 22.5f GS | 5HcCh | 11-12 p | 5/9 | River Run Free (26L) | 14/1 | 102 | 89 |
| 26 Dec 25 | Wcn Wincanton | 20f GS | 4HcChM | 10-12 p | F/6 | Alfie's Princess () | 7/2 | 103 | - |
| 22 Nov 25 | Asc Ascot | 24.5f GS | 4NvHcH | 10-12 p | 4/9 | Absolutely Doyen (5¼L) | 16/1 | 99 | 97 |
| 23 Oct 25 | Lud Ludlow | 24f Gd | 4HcChM | 12-0 p | 2/5 | Kit's Coty (1¼L) | 13/2 | 103 | 110 |
| 8 Oct 25 | Lud Ludlow | 24f GF | 3HcCh | 10-10 p | 3/5 | Hold Your Fort (28L) | 16/5 | 105 | 92 |
| 17 Apr 25 | Chl Cheltenham | 25.5f Gd | 2HcChM | 10-11 b1 | 7/13 | Minniemum (32L) | 20/1 | 106 | 89 |
D
Distance Winner - Won before at this distance
3m winner on heavy; also good second here in December but has run poorly since
3-022P
Age: 8
Weight: 11-8
OR: 99
Days: 25
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Jan 26 | Wdr Windsor | 28.5f Sft | 3HcCh | 10-7 | PU/16 | Neo King () | 33/1 | 100 | - |
| 30 Dec 25 | Tau Taunton | 26.5f Gd | 5HcCh | 12-0 | 2/6 | Jukebox d'Eddy (8½L) | 5/1 | 100 | 103 |
| 5 Dec 25 | Exe Exeter | 23f GS | 5HcH | 12-0 | 2/7 | Hardy Buck (7L) | 9/1 | 100 | 100 |
| 7 Nov 25 | Exe Exeter | 23f Gd | 4HcH | 11-1 | 10/14 | Stratton Oakmont (45L) | 66/1 | 104 | 70 |
| 29 Oct 24 | Chp Chepstow | 26.5f GS | 4HcCh | 11-0 | 3/14 | King Turgeon (13½L) | 12/1 | 106 | 109 |
| 17 Apr 24 | Chl Cheltenham | 28f Gd | 3HcCh | 10-12 | 3/16 | Hymac (9½L) | 9/1 | 106 | 109 |
D
4 x Distance Winner - Won 4 times before at this distance
BF
Beaten Favourite - Losing favourite last time out
Hot Recent Form Jockey - 3 wins from 11 in the last 14 days (27%)
Hot Recent Form Trainer - 4 wins from 11 in the last 14 days (36%)
Second in December but pulled up either side, taking chase record to 1-18; new headgear
34-P2P
Age: 9
Weight: 11-4
OR: 95
Days: 28
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan 26 | Lud Ludlow | 24f GS | 5HcCh | 11-2 v | PU/9 | Annie Express () | 2/1F | 95 | - |
| 16 Dec 25 | Wcn Wincanton | 25f Sft | 5HcCh | 10-13 v | 2/10 | Lightonthewing (5L) | 3/1J | 95 | 100 |
| 19 Nov 25 | Ffo Ffos Las | 24f Sft | 5HcCh | 12-0 v | PU/7 | Esperti () | 11/4 | 97 | - |
| 16 Apr 25 | Ffo Ffos Las | 24f Sft | 5HcCh | 11-13 tv | 4/11 | Another Lord (12½L) | 14/1 | 99 | 104 |
| 7 Mar 25 | Exe Exeter | 24.5f Gd | 5HcCh | 12-0 tv | 3/8 | Bampton Star (2¼L) | 9/2 | 99 | 104 |
| 28 Jan 25 | Chp Chepstow | 23.5f Hy | 4HcCh | 11-4 tv | 4/9 | Jo Lescribaa (8¾L) | 10/1 | 100 | 94 |
CD
C&D Winner - Won before on this course at this distance
C
2 x Course Winner - Won 2 times before at this course
D
2 x Distance Winner - Won 2 times before at this distance
C&D winner but couldn't live with Bataillon and Ted The Thief here last time
P14174
Age: 11
Weight: 10-5
OR: 82
Days: 26
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jan 26 | Tau Taunton | 23f GS | 5HcCh | 10-13 | 4/14 | Bataillon (13½L) | 22/1 | 83 | 78 |
| 16 Dec 25 | Wcn Wincanton | 25f Sft | 5HcCh | 10-13 | 7/10 | Lightonthewing (43L) | 11/1 | 85 | 68 |
| 23 Nov 25 | Wdr Windsor | 24.5f GS | 5HcCh | 10-0 | 1/7 | Illogical Logic (nk) | 17/2 | 82 | 89 |
| 25 Jul 25 | Utt Uttoxeter | 26f Gd | 5HcCh | 10-8 | 4/10 | Eightytwo Team (27L) | 12/1 | 80 | 63 |
| 25 Jun 25 | Wor Worcester | 23f Gd | 5HcCh | 10-7 | 1/14 | Mcgregors Charge (¾L) | 22/1 | 76 | 83 |
| 25 May 25 | Fon Fontwell | 26f Gd | 5HcCh | 10-6 | PU/8 | Ballintara () | 12/1 | 78 | - |
BF
Beaten Favourite - Losing favourite last time out
In good form but Bataillon was too strong for him over C&D latest and might be same again
4-8432
Age: 6
Weight: 10-2
OR: 79
Days: 26
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jan 26 | Tau Taunton | 23f GS | 5HcCh | 10-5 | 2/14 | Bataillon (1¾L) | 11/8F | 75 | 83 |
| 4 Dec 25 | Wcn Wincanton | 26.5f GS | 5HcCh | 10-2 | 3/11 | Special John (3¼L) | 16/5 | 74 | 83 |
| 16 Nov 25 | Fon Fontwell | 21.5f GS | 5HcCh | 10-2 | 4/7 | Footloose Man (2¼L) | 6/1 | 74 | 78 |
| 23 Oct 25 | Fon Fontwell | 19f GS | 4MdH | 11-4 | 8/8 | Fortune Timmy (59L) | 80/1 | - | 60 |
| 31 Mar 25 | Wcn Wincanton | 15f Gd | 4MdH | 11-5 | 4/5 | Rascallion (50L) | 33/1 | - | 58 |
| 10 Mar 25 | Tau Taunton | 16.5f Gd | 4MdH | 11-6 | 9/14 | Fasol (53L) | 18/1 | - | 61 |
Verdict
Low-mileage 8yo BATAILLON (nap) is taken to confirm last month's C&D superiority over Ted The Thief.
Bataillon
Betting Forecast:
7/2 Bataillon,
4/1 Ted The Thief,
9/2 Jongleur d'Etoiles,
Call Me Arthur,
6/1 Hell Hound,
10/1 The Blueberry One,
11/1 Shot Boii,
20/1 School For Scandal,
25/1 Another Day Out,
Gingerbred
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