January 29 / 15.02 Exeter

15.02

Heavy

Kennford Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £3812.2
  • 2m 5f 137y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
RTV
View Course
Kennford Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 05

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Never dangerous-fifth at Ffos Las (2m, soft) switched to hurdles last time; may benefit from this longer trip but needs a big step forward to get off the mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

14:37 Wincanton

A Great Excuse

11st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

Early casualty behind Touquet two runs ago and 2m3f looked too far for him last time out, but he appeared value for a greater rise than 5lb for his Lingfield success (2m, good to soft; Touquet over 1l third) before all of that; remains of interest.

4/1

3rd

3

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 51y

Class 5

15:30 Catterick

A Great Excuse

11st 11lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

Off the mark on third chase start when scoring at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) in December; fair run over this trip at Ffos Las on previous start but he fell last time out; a possible on earlier form.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dam runner-up in point, out of bumper winning half-sister to 2m-2m6f hurdle/chase winner Inchiquin Castle; Henderson runner and sole newcomer in the field; heed the market signals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:45 Newton Abbot

Dyno Dave

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Appreciated better ground when opening his chase account at the fourth attempt at Exeter (3m, good to soft) in March, but took a heavy fall back there the following month; still has more to offer in this sphere and he's respected if that latest effort hasn't dented his confidence.

9/4

1

7th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

16:40 Exeter

Dyno Dave

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Didn't hang about over hurdles and seemed to appreciate getting away from slow ground when edging home in a C&D good-ground handicap three weeks ago, on only his fourth run over fences; up 5lb but probably improving.

5/4

1st

1

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:05 Exeter

Dyno Dave

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Unseated rider on seasonal/chase/handicap debut in December and was safely held on next two outings (both on slow ground) but he'll appreciate this ease in grade and may yet come good for his top stable.

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Raced twice in Irish points, better effort when runner-up last time; sold for 20,000euros since; hard to gauge and the betting should offer further guidance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 150y

Class 4

14:51 Taunton

Fat Faced Columbo

11st 8lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Improver who made it 2-3 over fences when scoring at Chepstow (3m, soft) last month; the leader fell two out in that race but this 6yo was in a clear second at the time and he eventually won by 8l in that big-field handicap; up 6lb but he's still lightly raced and should have more to offer in this sphere.

2/1

1st

14

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:47 Chepstow

Fat Faced Columbo

11st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Very close second to progressive rival on seasonal/handicap/chase debut in November, then was left clear to score at Taunton (2m7f, good; final-fence faller won next time out) last month; 8lb higher here and not sure to be ideally suited by the slower ground, but still commands respect.

3/1

3rd

2

28th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:35 Ffos Las

Fat Faced Columbo

11st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Promising effort in the second of two Irish points; dropped out into a very remote fourth of five finishers on hurdle debut here (2m6f, heavy) this month but it wouldn't surprise to see a better show here.

20/1

Form: 00/6-

Last run: 478 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Hurdles debutant who has poor claims on bumper form and badly lacks recent match practice having been absent since October 2023.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

23rd Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

17:25 Taunton

Hectors Hope

11st 5lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

raced in third, briefly went second 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, jumped right last

100/1

Form: 25-

Last run: 304 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Both starts in bumpers last March, better effort when close second at Southwell (soft) on debut; may yet confirm that promise; market should give extra guidance on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

7th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 3

14:42 Bangor-on-Dee

JAime El Mars

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Stayed on well to go close in a soft-ground bumper at Southwell and the ground was heavy when below that level at Ffos Las in another bumper won by Potters Charm; out of a half-sister to Un De Sceaux and remains promising.

10/1

5th

5

7th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 3

14:42 Bangor-on-Dee

JAime El Mars

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Stayed on well to go close in a soft-ground bumper at Southwell and the ground was heavy when below that level at Ffos Las in another bumper won by Potters Charm; out of a half-sister to Un De Sceaux and remains promising.

10/1

Form: 3

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Solid start to career, having finished third in Irish point and Warwick maiden hurdle (2m5f, good to soft); has place possibilities as things stand and win possibilities if showing progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Libre De Choeur

11st 11lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Runner-up at Warwick (2m5f, good to soft) in December on second handicap start and bounced back from lesser run to win at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) last month; up 5lb but he's still unexposed and is open to more progress in staying handicaps; big player.

3/1

1st

6

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:52 Ffos Las

Libre De Choeur

11st 8lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

December's Warwick 2m5f handicap second (good to soft) suggested he has races in him, but he didn't improve for a stayers' trip as expected back there latest; form of 2m6f maiden third on sole previous visit here a year ago needs improving on significantly.

6/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Rules debutant who needs major improvement on his form in two British points.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:50 Chepstow

Mad At Midnight

11st 6lb

J: Miss Thomasina Eyston

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Two runs in 2m4f points at Larkhill, pulling up in the first and well held in the second.

100/1

9th

8

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

13:50 Chepstow

Mad At Midnight

11st 6lb

J: Miss Thomasina Eyston

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Two runs in 2m4f points at Larkhill, pulling up in the first and well held in the second.

100/1

Form: 5-333

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Showed promise in a bumper here last April and has proved consistent (form figures 333) over hurdles this term, running well at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) most recently; ties in with Tommy The Tank on that effort; solid chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

8th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Not So Woolly

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Consistent five-race maiden who ties in with a couple of these opponents; however, chance of opening his account largely depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.

14/1

2nd

8

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:25 Taunton

Not So Woolly

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-race maiden who has consistent form figures and steadily progressive RPRs; ran well at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) most recently, taking hurdles record to 333; solid contender who has a good chance at the weights and could open his account.

9/4

2nd

8

4th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:25 Taunton

Not So Woolly

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-race maiden who has consistent form figures and steadily progressive RPRs; ran well at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) most recently, taking hurdles record to 333; solid contender who has a good chance at the weights and could open his account.

9/4

Form: 3-5

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point bumper winner who has raced at Exeter in both rules starts, never-dangerous fifth switched to hurdles (2m, soft) for new yard latest; needs to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

14:55 Exeter

Pyleigh Master

12st 2lb

J: Miss Ella Herbison

T: Nigel Hawke

Tailed off at Chepstow in December on sole run this season and could do with settling better (2m7f, good to soft; attracted market support on that handicap debut); however, he readily made all under Ella Herbison in a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) last April and retains potential.

12/1

1st

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:12 Ffos Las

Pyleigh Master

11st 5lb

J: Miss Ella Herbison

T: Nigel Hawke

Point winner who has made an encouraging start to his hurdling career this year; no match for short-odds winner when second here (2m6f, heavy) in February and ideally needs to learn to settle better, but he's a contender.

7/2

1st

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:12 Ffos Las

Pyleigh Master

11st 5lb

J: Miss Ella Herbison

T: Nigel Hawke

Point winner who has made an encouraging start to his hurdling career this year; no match for short-odds winner when second here (2m6f, heavy) in February and ideally needs to learn to settle better, but he's a contender.

7/2

Form: 42-054

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Best bumper form when close second at Punchestown for previous yard; two respectable efforts since switched to hurdles and the latest (2m7f) suggests this drop back in trip will suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

16:35 Wincanton

Seatoit

12st 1lb

J: Aamilah Aswat

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Yet to get his head in front and he didn't look the easiest of rides when a fair fourth of nine in 3m1f Warwick handicap 22 days ago, hanging left late on; still no forlorn hope off the same mark.

9/2

4th

7

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

14:37 Warwick

Seatoit

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

No wins in eight but nearly put that right on soft at Ffos Las (3m) and drier ground put forward as an excuse here on New Year's Eve; with rain about, he has to be feared.

9/1

4th

5

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:15 Lingfield

Seatoit

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

pressed leaders, led 4th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened

6/1

Form: 22

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Point winner in 2023; already threatening to win a race under rules, having finished second in a couple of maiden hurdles, latest at Ascot (2m5f, good to soft) where he was one place in front of Not So Woolly; leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:40 Wincanton

Tommy The Tank

12st 0lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Stays this far when all's well with him, but his jumping didn't pass muster on December's chasing debut; hopes rest with the wind procedure received since stopping quickly here latest and/or the cheekpieces.

33/1

6

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:02 Wincanton

Tommy The Tank

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Did well as a novice hurdler, winning a 3m1f maiden at Hereford; jumping failed to stand the test at Sandown on his chase debut and now tackling his first handicap over hurdles; could go well.

25/1

2

28th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

16:20 Fontwell

Tommy The Tank

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Won British maiden point by 7l on debut in April 2023; absent until second this season in maiden hurdles here (near 2m4f) and at Ascot (extended 2m5f) before easily going one better when 8-13 at Hereford (3m2f); last two of those (his best form) were on good to soft, unraced on good; perhaps more of a staying prospect but he's promising.

11/8

Form: 044-62

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Belied her 66-1 odds with second-place finish at Southwell (3m, soft) last time, behind a rival who ran well in Grade 2 since; thereabouts provided she backs up that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Verdict

On bare form TOMMY THE TANK holds the best chance, narrowly ahead of Not So Woolly who wasn’t far behind the selection last time and warrants respect in this rematch. Libre De Choeur is a solid third choice.[Steve Boow]