January 01 / 14.10 Exeter

14.10

Good To Soft

Peter Holland Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 5f 137y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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Peter Holland Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: PP2-4P CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Lacked fluency on chasing debut in May and was pulled up in November, after a break; reverts to hurdling with a point to prove but won over C&D (good to soft) last season and is on a workable mark if the first-time cheekpieces get the best out of him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

15th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

19:10 Fontwell

Danton

11st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Harry Fry

Out of sorts when pulled up on last two appearances (chase/hurdle); does return from a break on a fair mark so difficult to dismiss.

10/1

7th

5

15th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

19:10 Fontwell

Danton

11st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Harry Fry

Out of sorts when pulled up on last two appearances (chase/hurdle); does return from a break on a fair mark so difficult to dismiss.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 61-72 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 6yo who won a 2m maiden here (good) last spring and was a good second on last month's handicap debut at Bangor (2m3f, soft); ought to make his presence felt again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

7th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

16:40 Exeter

Saint Cyr De Pail

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Hurdle/chase winner, over 2m and 2m3f; last to finish when third over 2m3f here 21 days ago and this represents a significant hike in trip.

3/1

3rd

5

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 4

15:30 Exeter

Saint Cyr De Pail

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Early exit here last time made it two non-completions from five chase attempts; successful over C&D in December but that Class 5 race fell apart and only two finished.

4/1

2

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Saint Cyr De Pail

11st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Comfortably beat Valirann Gold over C&D just before Christmas after being left clear three out; never really threatened to follow up off a 7lb higher mark at Wincanton but that was a Class 4; tongue-tie now added; respected.

4/1

Form: 225929

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on all three starts for Anthony Charlton in the autumn, the last twice over fences; cheekpieces the headgear of choice today; difficult to enthuse over at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

15:33 Fontwell

Thirtyfour Thirty

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Joe Tickle

Kept on for respectable third at Worcester (2m7f, good; no threat to easy winner) 12 days ago and will be suited by today's longer trip but often looks unenthusiastic, and it's hard to predict the extent to which he'll warm to the task today; cheekpieces refitted.

6/1

2

25th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

15:33 Fontwell

Thirtyfour Thirty

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Joe Tickle

Kept on for respectable third at Worcester (2m7f, good; no threat to easy winner) 12 days ago and will be suited by today's longer trip but often looks unenthusiastic, and it's hard to predict the extent to which he'll warm to the task today; cheekpieces refitted.

6/1

3rd

8

13th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Thirtyfour Thirty

11st 2lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

This time last year he posted back-to-back seconds over 3m2f on good ground at Fontwell and Warwick; well handicapped on that form but he hasn't been running well of late.

12/1

Form: 4163

Last run: 86 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Won a fast-ground maiden at Stratford (2m) last summer and coped well soft ground when third on handicap debut there (extended 2m2f) in October; 1lb lower today and pedigree suggests this new trip will suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Paddys Island

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Won a fast-ground maiden at Stratford (2m) last summer and coped well soft ground when third on handicap debut there (extended 2m2f) in October; 1lb lower today and pedigree suggests this new trip will suit.

3/1

4

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Paddys Island

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Won a fast-ground maiden at Stratford (2m) last summer and coped well soft ground when third on handicap debut there (extended 2m2f) in October; 1lb lower today and pedigree suggests this new trip will suit.

3/1

3rd

4

7th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

16:27 Stratford

Paddys Island

11st 6lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Kept on well to win course maiden (2m, good to firm) in July, and his two runs here either side of that (2m2f/2m) were perfectly respectable; not obviously well treated for this handicap debut but open to improvement if suited by the forecast slower ground.

11/2

Form: 6516/0 C

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo; made low-key return from long absence in November but is now 1lb lower than when dead-heating here (2m, good) in March 2023 and should be fine over today's trip; a possible if that autumn run did him good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

Looking For Larry

12st 0lb

J: Mr Jake Bament

T: Tim Dennis

Rewarded heavy market support when winning by 6l here (2m5f, soft) at start of 2025 but not much has gone to plan since and his two runs this year were no better than respectable; needs to up his game.

16/1

6th

4

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 5f 82y

Class 5

13:05 Wincanton

Looking For Larry

11st 11lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Tim Dennis

Well-backed winner at Exeter (2m5f, soft) last January, on his second run after a long absence; looked a bit of a handful in next two runs but he returned after another layoff with an encouraging effort at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) last month; continues to edge down the weights and has possibilities if he can build on that last run.

12/1

7th

6

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 4

15:35 Taunton

Looking For Larry

11st 10lb

J: Mr Jake Bament

T: Tim Dennis

Landed a gamble when winning by 6l at Exeter (2m5f, soft) on New Year's Day, his second run after a long absence, but misbehaved and looked unenthusiastic on recent chasing debut; quickly switches back to hurdling here; has a point to prove.

8/1

Form: 3232/0

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
0-11 over hurdles but was placed in four consecutive handicaps (2m3f-2m4f) during 2022-23 season and ran very much as though in need of the outing when returning from a long layoff in October; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

17th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:45 Ffos Las

Drash On Ruby

12st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

held up in rear, outpaced after 3 out, no chance from 2 out, rallied and some headway run-in, not pace to challenge

3/1

5th

1

17th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:45 Ffos Las

Drash On Ruby

12st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

held up in rear

3/1

9

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

16:50 Wincanton

Drash On Ruby

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

0-17 but she was a fair third on her first two starts this year (2m5f/2m3f, soft) then went close off this mark when upped to 3m at Taunton (heavy) last Thursday; also effective on good to soft; she could have more to offer over this sort of trip and is one to consider in first-time cheekpieces.

3/1

Form: P53-P0

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Pulled up over fences in November, after a long absence, and struggled over C&D when back over hurdles two weeks ago; needs to prove some ability remains.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

19:30 Taunton

Blackhillsofdakota

10st 5lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Alexandra Dunn

in touch with leaders, prominent after 5th, outpaced from 3 out, kept on run-in

25/1

7th

8

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

19:30 Taunton

Blackhillsofdakota

10st 5lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Alexandra Dunn

Sole hurdle win was in 2019 and he's struggled over fences and hurdles in three runs after a long absence; mark is tumbling but he has plenty to prove after another break.

25/1

5th

7

1st Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Blackhillsofdakota

11st 0lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Alexandra Dunn

Pulled up over fences in November, after a long absence, and struggled over C&D when back over hurdles two weeks ago; needs to prove some ability remains.

33/1

Form: 1/P6P- D

Last run: 339 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Signed off for Robert Walford with a 2m3f chase win in April 2023 but looked out of sorts on all three starts for Ben Lund last season and returns from 339-day absence with a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

16:45 Exeter

William Philo

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Ben Lund

Made a bright start to last year with a good second over C&D on New Year's Day, but his form has taken a marked downturn since and recent efforts have been poor; new headgear needs to spark a revival.

50/1

10

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

14:50 Ffos Las

William Philo

10st 3lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Ben Lund

Won on soft ground at Fontwell in a hurdle race in 2021 and a 3m2f chase in 2023; however, there was an echo of that in only one (runner-up in January last year) of his eight starts for current yard.

25/1

8

7th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:20 Exeter

William Philo

10st 9lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Ben Lund

Belied triple-digit odds when second over hurdles here (2m5f, soft) on seasonal debut in January but two disappointing runs have followed and it's hard to know what to expect from him on this return to fences; refitted blinkers replace cheekpieces.

20/1

Form: 5U87/9

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
11-race maiden; well handicapped on some of her old form but, following a long layoff, was a tailed-off 80-1 shot over C&D last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:15 Southwell

Instant De Bonheur

10st 10lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Still a maiden and posted her best effort over fences; has achieved little in two hurdles starts since returning from lengthy layoff; enough to prove.

25/1

Form: 8075

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Ran in snatches and was unable to land any sort of blow when fifth on handicap debut at Hereford (2m, good to soft) in November but remains unexposed and may fare better over today's longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Missy Mole

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

always behind, still plenty to do when slightly hampered after 9th, tailed off

12/1

6th

9

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Missy Mole

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Runner-up in a point on good going last April and she's yet to tackle such ground in a handicap; could be a lively one.

12/1

Form: 00/7-P

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Pulled up at triple-digit odds at Taunton (2m3f; first-time hood) in November, after a long layoff, and is now 0-7 over hurdles; considered only if much stronger in the betting here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Of Corse I Can

10st 3lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Back-to-back 3m2f wins at Fontwell and Newton Abbot last October (good and good to soft) suggest he'll enjoy this sharp track but the drop back from a stayers' trip doesn't rate an obvious plus.

14/1

8

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

16:15 Fontwell

Of Corse I Can

10st 2lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

0-12 over hurdles but came good in C&D (good) chase this month, his second start over fences, and battled gamely to follow up in conditional jockeys' race at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good to soft) on Saturday; escapes a penalty here and has obvious claims.

7/4

Selections

POSTDATA:

Saint Cyr De Pail

SPOTLIGHT:

Paddys Island

D Express:

Danton

The Star:

Instant De Bonheur

RP RATINGS:

Paddys Island

WEST COUNTRY:

Saint Cyr De Pail

The Times:

Saint Cyr De Pail

Telegraph:

Saint Cyr De Pail

The Guardian:

Saint Cyr De Pail

Daily Mail:

Saint Cyr De Pail

Daily Mirror:

Saint Cyr De Pail

Daily Record:

Saint Cyr De Pail