January 13 / 14.38 Exeter

14.38

Soft

Desert Orchid Restaurant Dining For £99 Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £8079.93
  • 3m 0f 54y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
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Desert Orchid Restaurant Dining For £99 Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.10
  • Place: £2.20

Form: PP1P-P D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
A capable stayer on his day but it was all or nothing last season for Charlie Longsdon and made a laboured debut for this yard over 3m6f here in December on the back of a wind operation; thorough stayer so that trip was no excuse; bit risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

17:05 Chepstow

Well Dick

12st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Emma Lavelle

Stamina to spare at this trip as a winner at up to 3m5f, but hard to place maximum faith in one with three wins and five pulled ups from their last eight starts, and genuinely good ground would ask a new question.

12/1

1

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

17:05 Chepstow

Well Dick

12st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Emma Lavelle

Stamina to spare at this trip as a winner at up to 3m5f, but hard to place maximum faith in one with three wins and five pulled ups from their last eight starts, and genuinely good ground would ask a new question.

12/1

5

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Well Dick

11st 12lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Emma Lavelle

His profile is all or nothing and when winning at Exeter last month (3m, soft) only two others completed; however, he's a relentless galloper and this is his sort of race.

13/2

7/4

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 133-13 BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 12st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Improved for the switch to fences when winning by 8l over 3m2f at Carlisle (good to soft) and coped well on the step up to Class 3 level when third back there off a 7lb higher mark; up another 2lb but that latest race has worked out well with the front two successful since; good shout despite the big weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

16:03 Wincanton

Illico De Cotte

12st 2lb

J: Mr Frederick Philipson-Stow

T: Will Biddick

Lightly raced gelding who did well in handicap chases last season for Dan Skelton before losing his way; beaten in two points for current yard and he'll need more here; has won on heavy.

4/1

3

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Illico De Cotte

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Scored by 8l on seasonal/chase debut at Carlisle (3m2f, good to soft) in October and was placed over 3m on next two outings; finished very weakly when upped to 3m5f at Warwick last month, which is a concern, but could plausibly still have untapped potential over marathon trips.

10/1

3

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Illico De Cotte

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Scored by 8l on seasonal/chase debut at Carlisle (3m2f, good to soft) in October and was placed over 3m on next two outings; finished very weakly when upped to 3m5f at Warwick last month, which is a concern, but could plausibly still have untapped potential over marathon trips.

10/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 2-368

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Won three Irish points and runner-up in a hunter chase; joined Evan Williams for £20,000 in May; hasn't been offering a lot over hurdles but this should be more his game; he's the dark one in this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Neo King

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Mrs C Williams

Lightly raced chaser for whom the cheekpieces are making a difference as he won going away at Windsor (soft) and came from the clouds to be third in Haydock's Grand National Trial (again 3m4f; good to soft; 1lb lower) when ahead of Deafening Silence, Git Maker and Grand Albert; unlikely to be anywhere near the front at the start here but he could be in the finish; stays 4m and he'll surely get this far.

9/1

3rd

11

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Neo King

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Evan Williams

Built upon previous chasing promise to get off the mark at the seventh attempt over fences in first-time cheekpieces at Windsor last month (extended 3m4f, soft; from Holokea); from out of the handicap he's 9lb higher today but is unexposed in the headgear and further improvement is possible.

16/1

1st

13

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 162y

Class 3

15:35 Windsor

Neo King

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Evan Williams

0-9 under rules (0-6 over fences) but runner-up three times in a row (3m3f-3m6f, various ground) before beaten about 10l when sixth of 11 in the Borders National at Kelso (4m, soft), where his jumping help him back; it's possible he'll find greater fluency today in first-time cheekpieces; chance.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 21P-28 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who won twice over hurdles at this track (2m5f, soft/heavy) early last year; despite mistakes, he returned with a good second back over fences at Fontwell (3m3f, good), but then had another off-day back over hurdles a month ago; not entirely sure what to expect from him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

27th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:40 Southwell

Feivel

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 7th, headway on outer and went second before 2 out, weakened approaching last

11/2

3rd

5

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:23 Warwick

Feivel

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Chase form includes a good effort off 4lb higher in the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good) on seasonal debut; two poor efforts since but could revive in new headgear; four-time hurdles winner.

14/1

2

13th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:38 Exeter

Feivel

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Front-runner who won twice over hurdles at this track (2m5f, soft/heavy) early last year; despite mistakes, he returned with a good second back over fences at Fontwell (3m3f, good), but then had another off-day back over hurdles a month ago; not entirely sure what to expect from him.

12/1

Form: 3BP-6F D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner who is 0-5 over fences and his third non-completion in this discipline when taking a heavy early fall at Haydock two weeks ago; the cheekpieces tried there are replaced by a visor in which he does have form; still lightly raced and conditions won't faze him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 222-16

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
One win and four seconds when he completed last season as a novice hurdler; reeled in an idling leader to make a winning start over fences at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) and it was his first run away from soft or heavy ground when tailed off over 3m1f at Cheltenham (good to soft); this race looks a better fit and can be given another chance on the stamina front.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Livin On Luco

10st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Failed to fire in the Eider at Newcastle on penultimate start; commendable otherwise this season, making all in the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good to soft), fourth in Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (3m7f, good to soft) and short-headed at Exeter (3m7f, good) five weeks ago; raised another 2lb but has place claims.

12/1

2nd

4

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Livin On Luco

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Made all in Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good to soft) on seasonal debut in November and was commendable fourth in Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (3m6f, good to soft) just after Christmas; didn't fire in last month's Eider at Newcastle but still features prominently in calculations; placed the only time he raced on good ground.

11/4

6th

6

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Livin On Luco

10st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Made all under Callum Pritchard in the Southern National at Fontwell (extended 3m3f, good to soft) on reappearance in November, clear from four out and holding on by a neck from a strong finisher; came from mid-division when creditable fourth in the Welsh National at Chepstow (extended 3m6f) and having a crack at 4m+ now makes appeal; one to consider.

7/2

Form: 11-198 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
8lb out of the weights on his penultimate run but could still have done more and then again disappointing over 3m at Uttoxeter (soft); it's all gone a bit pear-shaped since bringing up a hat-trick last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

13

28th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:27 Uttoxeter

Imperial Alex

10st 4lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Back in top form this season; justified favouritism at Stratford (3m3f, good to firm) last time, taking chase record to 5-19; however, the memory of his dismal effort in this contest two years ago (when bidding for a four-timer) tempers enthusiasm.

10/1

1st

2

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:20 Stratford

Imperial Alex

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Four-times winning chaser over around 3m; returned to his best when beaten a neck at Ffos Las (3m, good) 25 days ago with 15l back to the third; nudged up 4lb but holds claims if he gets home over this marathon trip.

7/4

2nd

4

5th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

16:18 Ffos Las

Imperial Alex

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

In career-best form last summer over 3m on good ground; soundly beaten in his last three races, disappointingly so at Warwick last time when back on his favoured surface (good); bit to prove now.

10/1

Form: 21-424 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won a 3m1f handicap chase at Wincanton 11 months ago and nearly went in again there last month (soft); below par over C&D last time when cheekpieces were replaced by blinkers and those aids are persevered with again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

9th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

14:15 Plumpton

Pachacuti

11st 12lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Stays 3m1f; has become inconsistent over fences and hurdles but ran encouragingly, clear second, in new headgear at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) most recently; still well treated on peak form; possibilities in the retained visor.

2/1

8

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:23 Newton Abbot

Pachacuti

11st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Inconsistent over fences last season and absent since a down-the-field hurdle run in March; resumes on a workable mark but he's 1-10 in this sphere and is probably not the percentage call; equipment reapplied.

14/1

8

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:23 Newton Abbot

Pachacuti

11st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Inconsistent over fences last season and absent since a down-the-field hurdle run in March; resumes on a workable mark but he's 1-10 in this sphere and is probably not the percentage call; equipment reapplied.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £32.30
Straight Forecast £25.47
Tricast £129.47
Trifecta £182.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Illico De Cotte

Telegraph:

Livin On Luco

TOPSPEED:

Well Dick

WEST COUNTRY:

Pachacuti

POSTDATA:

Feivel

RP RATINGS:

Illico De Cotte

The Times:

Illico De Cotte

The Guardian:

Illico De Cotte

Daily Mail:

Illico De Cotte

Daily Mirror:

Illico De Cotte

The Sun:

Illico De Cotte

Daily Record:

Illico De Cotte

D Express:

Livin On Luco

The Star:

Well Dick