This Cheltenham Festival mares' race treble could be a cracking ante-post bet
6 hours ago
TAUNTON
12 February 2026
Happy Birthday David Griffin Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4) Racecard
- Channel:
- Distance: 2m 104y
- Going: Heavy
- Runners
- 10
- Type
- Hurdle
- Surface
- Turf
- Weather
- Light rain
Selection
Selection
Selected At
Babyken
Selected at:
13/2
Babyken struggled on debut at Fontwell but showed signs of improvement when second over course and distance last month. More will be needed if he’s going to get off the mark here but further improvement is expected and the yard is in good form at the moment.
Bookmaker
Offer
Best Odds
Bet Here
13/2
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Racecard
No.(Draw)
Runner
Best Odds
Hot Recent Form Trainer - 9 wins from 26 in the last 14 days (35%)
Promise in bumpers but well-held fifth on hurdle debut and Cobden looks elsewhere
3-45
Age: 5
Weight: 11-7
OR: -
Days: 34
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Jan 26 | Exe Exeter | 16.5f GS | 4MdH | 11-8 | 5/14 | Johnny's Jury (30L) | 18/1 | - | 96 |
| 28 Oct 25 | Ffo Ffos Las | 16f Sft | 5NHF | 10-8 | 4/9 | Barrow Hill Lad (4½L) | 10/11F | - | 101 |
| 22 Feb 25 | Kem Kempton | 16f GS | 3NHF | 10-6 | 3/6 | Our Boy Stan (3½L) | 11/1 | - | 95 |
Looks more one for handicaps
P66
Age: 5
Weight: 11-7
OR: -
Days: 28
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan 26 | Wcn Wincanton | 15f Sft | 4MdH | 11-8 | 6/10 | Gaelic Pride (30L) | 22/1 | - | 80 |
| 10 Dec 25 | Her Hereford | 16f GS | 4MdH | 11-4 | 6/12 | Soomaroy (26L) | 250/1 | - | 94 |
| 26 Oct 25 | Fon Fontwell | 17.5f GS | 4MdH | 11-3 | PU/12 | Idaho Sun () | 28/1 | - | - |
5-1 but tailed off on course bumper debut in November
Age: 5
Weight: 11-7
OR: -
Days: 77
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Nov 25 | Tau Taunton | 16.5f GF | 5NHF | 11-2 | 10/11 | Canty's Cove (68L) | 5/1 | - | 26 |
BF
Beaten Favourite - Losing favourite last time out
Bumper winner but beaten at short odds on 2m4f Sedgefield hurdle debut
17-32
Age: 5
Weight: 11-7
OR: -
Days: 69
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Dec 25 | Sed Sedgefield | 20f Sft | 4MdH | 11-4 | 2/4 | Buddah Castle (½L) | 4/11F | - | 107 |
| 13 Jun 25 | Nab Newton Abbot | 17f GS | 4NHF | 11-4 | 3/6 | Three Pikes (3½L) | 1/2F | - | 100 |
| 1 Jan 25 | Chl Cheltenham | 17f Sft | 4yNHFL | 11-0 | 7/16 | Precious Metal (9¾L) | 5/1 | - | 88 |
| 5 Dec 24 | Wcn Wincanton | 15f Sft | 53yNHF | 11-0 | 1/10 | Precious Metal (1L) | 4/1 | - | 99 |
Runner-up in first of two bumpers; promising third on Hereford hurdle debut; will improve
293
Age: 5
Weight: 11-7
OR: -
Days: 31
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Jan 26 | Her Hereford | 16f GS | 4NvH | 11-3 | 3/14 | Loaded And Locked (4L) | 66/1 | - | 112 |
| 25 Nov 25 | Her Hereford | 16f Gd | 5NHF | 11-2 | 9/14 | Smile John Boy (15½L) | 9/1 | - | 92 |
| 15 Oct 25 | Wor Worcester | 16f Gd | 5MdNHF | 11-1 | 2/8 | Loaded And Locked (1L) | 100/30 | - | 95 |
Tailed off in a bumper and two hurdles
6-07
Age: 5
Weight: 11-0
OR: -
Days: 28
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan 26 | Wcn Wincanton | 15f Sft | 4MdH | 11-1 | 7/10 | Gaelic Pride (31L) | 200/1 | - | 72 |
| 5 Dec 25 | Exe Exeter | 16.5f GS | 4NvH | 10-7 | 16/16 | Gentleman Toboot (99L) | 300/1 | - | 27 |
| 23 Feb 25 | Her Hereford | 16f Sft | 44yNHF | 10-9 | 6/7 | Forthfactor (32L) | 33/1 | - | 48 |
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%)
Third on her completed start in points but Way Of Stars is likely yard's main hope here
Form:
Age: 5
Weight: 11-0
OR: -
Days: -
Hot Recent Form Jockey - 9 wins from 21 in the last 14 days (43%)
Hot Recent Form Trainer - 9 wins from 26 in the last 14 days (35%)
Flat win in France; bounced back from poor hurdle debut to chase home useful sort over C&D
P2
Age: 4
Weight: 10-9
OR: -
Days: 35
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Jan 26 | Tau Taunton | 16.5f Gd | 4MdH | 10-9 t1 | 2/9 | Onlyforfrankie (17L) | 7/2 | - | 93 |
| 26 Oct 25 | Fon Fontwell | 17.5f GS | 43yH | 11-0 | PU/5 | Galactique () | 7/2 | - | - |
| 28 May 25 | Stb Strasbourg | 12f GS | 3y | 9-0 | 2/8 | Sedano (3½L) | 48/10 | - | - |
| 3 May 25 | Lem Le Mans | 16f GS | 3y | 8-11 | 1/9 | Possible (2L) | 76/10 | - | - |
Fourth in two hurdles in Ireland and won't need to up his game too much for new yard
44
Age: 4
Weight: 10-9
OR: -
Days: 45
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Dec 25 | Leo Leopardstown | 18f Gd/Y | 3yH | 11-0 t | 4/15 | Lynches Knock (6¾L) | 14/1 | - | 99 |
| 4 Nov 25 | Fai Fairyhouse | 17f Sft/Hy | 3yH | 11-0 t1 | 4/14 | Minella Yoga (20L) | 17/2 | - | 80 |
Hot Recent Form Trainer - 4 wins from 11 in the last 14 days (36%)
Useful on Flat; too free when third on hurdle but can improve if settling better in hood
3
Age: 4
Weight: 10-9
OR: -
Days: 56
| Date | Course | Race | Type | Weight | Pos | 1st/2nd | SP | OR | RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Dec 25 | Exe Exeter | 16.5f Hy | 43yMdH | 11-2 | 3/4 | Klycot (7½L) | 4/1 | - | 105 |
| 26 Sep 25 | Hay Haydock | 14f GS | 33yHc | 9-0 | 4/6 | Sing Us A Song (3¼L) | 16/1 | 88 | 91 |
| 6 Sep 25 | Hay Haydock | 14f Gd | 23yHc | 8-11 | 7/10 | Valiancy (7½L) | 16/1 | 89 | 91 |
| 5 Jul 25 | Hay Haydock | 14f Gd | 23yHc | 9-2 | 4/10 | Pole Star (2L) | 7/1 | 87 | 94 |
| 20 Jun 25 | Goo Goodwood | 14f GF | 4Md | 9-1 | 1/7 | Earnest Belief (7L) | 5/6F | 84 | 92 |
| 7 Jun 25 | Don Doncaster | 14.5f Gd | 23yHc | 9-1 | 4/10 | Many Men (2L) | 7/1 | 84 | 92 |
Verdict
It turns out BABYKEN was up against a very useful one over C&D last month and he's taken to build on that promise for his in-form yard.
Babyken
Betting Forecast:
3/1 Western Cross,
100/30 Babyken,
Way Of Stars,
4/1 Circle Of Secrets,
9/2 Marhaba Prince,
20/1 Louis Des Landes,
25/1 A King Of Magic,
50/1 Follow The Plan,
66/1 Corner Forward,
100/1 Deauville Lady
Relevant Tips
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Recent Winners
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