Date: Thursday 12th Feb 2026
Track: Taunton (Right Handed)
Going: Heavy
Class: 3 Handicap Hurdle (2m1f)
It is going to be a proper stamina test at Taunton tomorrow. With the ground officially Heavy, we need to look past the flashy recent form figures and find horses that relish the mud and are well-handicapped for a slog.
The market has Celtic Art as the 3/1 favourite, and on the face of it, his form figures of 1-2-1 look imperious. He coasted home last time out over this course and distance. However, digging into the data, those wins came on Good to Soft. He has gone up in the weights again, and carrying 11-1 in deep ground is a different beast entirely. At 3/1, I’m happy to let him beat me if he can handle the conditions.
Brentford Hope (5/1) is the class act of the field. Rated 138, he has to lump top weight (12st), though Megan Fox’s 7lb claim is a massive help. He drops into Class 3 company after a respectable effort in a Grade 2 just 19 days ago. He is the solid option, but giving weight away all round in a bog is never a straightforward task.
The Pace Angle
The race setup looks fascinating. Jack Hyde (4/1) returns from a 90-day break. He is a confirmed front-runner who likes to dominate. However, Welsh Charger also likes to be prominent. If they get into a duel for the lead on this ground, they will set the race up perfectly for a closer.
The Verdict: Into The Park (10/1)
I am siding with the course specialist who has been completely overlooked by the market.
Into The Park won this exact race in 2024 on Soft ground. Since then, his form has looked patchy because he has been campaigning over fences, culminating in a “Pulled Up” effort last time out.
Do not let that chase form fool you. A switch back to hurdles is exactly what he needs to restore confidence.
Course Form: He loves Taunton.
Mark: He runs off 124, which is very workable (he won this off 120 two years ago).
Tactics: He tends to race mid-division. With the predicted strong pace up front, the race will fall into his lap late on.
At 10/1, he is the clear value bet of the day. He ticks the boxes for ground, track suitability, and handicap mark. Ignore the “P” next to his name; back over timber, he is a serious player.
Selection:
Win: Into The Park @ 10/1
Danger: Brentford Hope