January 24 / 15.55 Exeter

15.55

Soft

Two Mile Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £3812.2
  • 2m 0f 161y
  • Class 4
  • 18 runners
RTV
View Course
Two Mile Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 18 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 00

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

15:05 Plumpton

Abbeyhill

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Dual hurdle winner last season (once over C&D) but was pulled up on reappearance outing in October and has largely been disappointing over fences since (five starts); seems very versatile regarding ground but reverts to hurdling with quite a bit to prove; swaps cheekpieces for first-time blinkers.

7/2

4th

5

3rd Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

15:05 Plumpton

Abbeyhill

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

led, awkward jump and reminders 1st, headed 1st, bad mistake and lost ground 10th, weakened before 2 out

7/2

4th

4

23rd Feb 2025

Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

16:30 Fontwell

Abbeyhill

10st 6lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Won two staying handicap hurdles last winter, on good to soft and heavy; hasn't reached the same heights this season (sent chasing for last four runs) but the upside is that he's back on a very good mark.

9/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Coilrock

10st 3lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: D J Jeffreys

Remote fourth in his two chases and now returns to hurdles, over which he has run well off higher marks; ground/trip fine and blinkers are now tried (effective in cheekpieces); possibilities.

16/1

10

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Coilrock

10st 3lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: D J Jeffreys

led, headed after 8th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up approaching last

16/1

4th

6

8th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

17:00 Carlisle

Coilrock

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: D J Jeffreys

raced in third, dropped to last before 2 out, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened

10/1

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 93/5-0

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

14th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Daany

10st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Joe Tickle

Turned his attention to chasing fairly late in life but made a solid start when second of six at Wincanton in April; didn't back that up when never travelling at Hereford (also 2m, good) nine days ago and has a question to answer after that.

16/1

4

5th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

20:17 Hereford

Daany

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joe Tickle

Four-time hurdle winner, all at around 2m; made a belated switch to fences last month and shaped with plenty of encouragement when runner-up at Wincanton (2m, good), which also represented a return to some form; needs to back that up but he remains well treated and is one to consider.

6/1

2nd

4

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 149y

Class 5

15:27 Wincanton

Daany

10st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Joe Tickle

Three-time Flat winner and successful four times over hurdles; however, hasn't been running all that well under either code following a year on the sidelines and this is a belated first attempt at chasing.

16/1

Form:

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

16

8th Oct 2023

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

17:15 Uttoxeter

Heresmax

10st 2lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Modest maiden on the Flat (runner-up twice over 1m4f/1m5f) who accomplished little in his three runs over hurdles (first two were for Polly Gundry); absent 232 days before latest; handicap debut in this sphere comes off a basement mark.

33/1

5th

3

18th Sep 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Worcester

Heresmax

11st 4lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

took keen hold, held up in rear, headway after 4 out, outpaced before 3 out, weakened before 2 out

33/1

4

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 49y

Class 4

15:25 Fontwell

Heresmax

11st 10lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Polly Gundry

Twice runner-up (1m4f and 1m5f) off basement Flat marks last summer for Micky Hammond; 100-1, beaten 53l in novice hurdle at Exeter (2m, heavy) on debut for new connections and best watched despite now having tongue tied.

100/1

Form: 335-4

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

26

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Hunter Legend

10st 9lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Reserve; Venetia Williams and Lucy Turner combined to win this at 40-1 in 2022 and this fellow was in pretty good heart over 3m this winter; however, today's stiffer test of stamina poses a question and he was soundly beaten at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last time; wears first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

5th

8

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Hunter Legend

10st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Has posted consistent efforts over 3m of late but gives the impression he ideally needs a drop back in trip, especially when conditions are testing; yet to win beyond an extended 2m6f.

14/1

2nd

6

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Hunter Legend

10st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Has done his winning at up to 2m6f; not disgraced over 3m the last twice but gives the impression he ideally needs a drop back in distance, at least when conditions are testing; strong suspicion he's going to be outstayed.

10/1

Form: 4-46

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Jack Sprat

11st 13lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: James Moffatt

Capable on his day for Jamie Snowden, winning three times; didn't sign off for that yard in bad form and he joined this one for £12,000; could go well.

33/1

4th

5

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

18:40 Exeter

Jack Sprat

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Course scorer who went freely when a below-par seventh of ten in 3m Wincanton handicap 25 days ago; drops back in trip now.

9/1

7th

8

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:45 Wincanton

Jack Sprat

11st 9lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Jamie Snowden

Three-time hurdle winner who seemed to have been refreshed by a 12-week break when a very respectable fourth over C&D (good to soft) in refitted cheekpieces this month; in the mix if in similar form.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

33

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Johnnywho

10st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Fine over these fences in November; laboured from before three out when a well-beaten fifth to Haiti Couleurs in Irish National last April; that was in the mud, though, and his top efforts have been on good to soft; they include his neck second in the 3m2f Kim Muir at Cheltenham last March and, equipped with first-time cheekpieces after wind surgery, a 3m1f win from Jagwar at this year's Festival; able to race here off the same mark as last time (due to go up 6lb) and he wasn't stopping in either of those big races at Cheltenham; seriously considered.

12/1

1st

7

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Johnnywho

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Neck second in the Kim Muir here (3m2f, good to soft) 12 months ago; promise in defeat on his first two runs this season; not quite at the top of his game at Haydock last time but wind op since and cheekpieces are added; remains one to be interested in, especially given his Festival form.

11/1

5th

2

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:00 Haydock

Johnnywho

11st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Beaten just a neck in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival (3m2f, good to soft) last March and finished strongly for close third in the Silver Cup at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last month; every chance he'll be bang there.

3/1

Form: 7

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(3)

19th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 133y

Class 5

14:10 Lingfield

Kings Castle

9st 6lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

Won at Ffos Las (1m2f, good to soft) and Sandown (1m2f, good) last summer, but he wasn't able to build on those victories in three subsequent starts; absent since October but has place claims on this reappearance.

7/1

Form: P

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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: 85

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

24th Feb 2023

Good

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

14:40 Exeter

Rapid River

11st 5lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

held up in last, pushed along after 5th, weakened and behind after 4 out

33/1

6th

4

12th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 1

15:30 Exeter

Rapid River

11st 5lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

Well beaten at big odds on all three starts; outclassed here.

200/1

10th

10

3rd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

13:30 Chepstow

Rapid River

11st 2lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

50-1, no impact in two Exeter bumpers; one to watch now hurdling.

150/1

Form: 75

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Rivers Corner

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Easy win at Wincanton (3m2f, heavy) in January and bounced back from Haydock flop to win at Exeter (3m6f, good) recently, despite a bad mistake; clearly on the up and his stable has won two of the last six runnings.

9/2

1st

3

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Rivers Corner

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Tended to jump left on last two outings but that didn't stop him beating recent Midlands Grand National winner Isaac Des Obeaux by 21l at right-handed Wincanton (3m2f, heavy; first-time tongue-tie) on first occasion; pulled up in valuable Haydock marathon since but will be fine on the forecast good ground here and is a contender if back on song.

9/2

8

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Rivers Corner

10st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Running well in defeat this season, including over an extended 3m4f, before producing a career-best in a first-time tongue-tie to win easily at Wincanton (extended 3m2f, heavy); hit with a 9lb rise but he was impressive last time and could have more to offer in the tongue-tie; respected.

8/1

Form: 7

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:07 Ludlow

Shuil Ceoil

11st 12lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Placed on last two starts, though was some 23l and 11l behind the winners (tried a visor last time); still needs a second look with him back in some sort of form and he goes well in the mud.

5/1

16

10th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:55 Chepstow

Shuil Ceoil

11st 3lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

2-14 over hurdles; suited by this C&D but absent since a below-par run in April and others in this line-up have much more potential.

25/1

Form: 3/5

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

6th Jan 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:05 Wincanton

Starevitch

11st 2lb

J: Will Featherstone

T: Jamie Snowden

Won a point and placed in a bumper before going absent for 638 days; minor form in three novice hurdles and a handicap chase last season; returns to hurdles with low mileage for an 8yo but others have more compelling credentials.

8/1

4th

2

2nd Mar 2023

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:35 Ludlow

Starevitch

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Irish maiden point winner; third in a bumper in March 2021 but, with wind surgery last August, he did not race again until well held in three novice hurdles this winter (latest at Newbury last month); now makes chase debut and goes beyond 2m3f for the first time under rules.

9/2

Abandoned

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

1st Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

15:20 Exeter

Starwalker

11st 9lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sue Gardner

0-5 in points last year and makes no significant appeal on today's rules debut.

100/1

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 86 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

16:00 Chepstow

The King Of Ryhope

10st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

C&D winner at a different meeting last October on his reappearance and later ran well in a 3m Grade 2 at Ascot until a costly late mistake; disappointed the final time in a strong handicap at Aintree but went off favourite that day off a 1lb higher mark and evidently failed to give his running; remains an interesting handicapper.

4/1

8th

9

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

The King Of Ryhope

10st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced 3m point winner whose best hurdle run came over 3m, and he tackled that trip for the first time over fences in a Grade 2 novice at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in February, travelling well into contention but making a race-losing mistake at final fence (finished 3l fourth of five); there will be a slight doubt about him if he's back on soft/heavy but he's unexposed over staying trips and could be better than his current mark.

5/1

8th

9

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

The King Of Ryhope

10st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced 3m point winner whose best hurdle run came over 3m, and he tackled that trip for the first time over fences in a Grade 2 novice at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in February, travelling well into contention but making a race-losing mistake at final fence (finished 3l fourth of five); there will be a slight doubt about him if he's back on soft/heavy but he's unexposed over staying trips and could be better than his current mark.

5/1

Abandoned

Form: 4-963

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

15:55 Chepstow

Casts Tasha

10st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Clarke

Had a near miss at Leicester in December (2m4f, soft) but now has to bounce back from three lesser efforts; wears a first-time visor.

20/1

7th

5

17th Feb 2026

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

16:30 Newbury

Casts Tasha

11st 13lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Ben Clarke

Has performed moderately the last twice but her near miss behind One Eye On Vegas at Leicester in December (2m4f, soft) brings her into this; hard to be confident about her chances, though.

25/1

5th

2

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Ffos Las

Casts Tasha

12st 1lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Ben Clarke

Campaigned mostly over further (stays 2m6f); ran poorly last time, failing to back up her reappearance effort; 2-2 at Ffos Las but this drop back in trip presents a question mark.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

17:10 Taunton

Stopherandgo

10st 2lb

J: James Robottom

T: Kevin Pickard

On a lengthy losing sequence and she has been pulled up in handicap chases at Wincanton (3m1f) and Ludlow (2m4f) either side of Christmas; reverts to hurdles with lots to prove.

25/1

12

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 5

14:17 Ludlow

Stopherandgo

10st 2lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Kevin Pickard

Regressive mare who was pulled up when returned to fences and tried in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) last month; drops back in trip with tongue-tie added here; 7lb out of the weights.

33/1

Form:

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

15:47 Fontwell

Tuscan Rose

11st 1lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Last seen winning a 3m handicap hurdle at Ffos Las in April (good to soft) off a 5lb lower mark; bred to make a chaser so has to be of interest.

4/1

1st

8

17th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:45 Ffos Las

Tuscan Rose

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

midfield on outer, towards rear 5th, headway 8th, not fluent 4 out, led 2 out, hung right and bumped rival before last, ridden out run-in, always doing enough

4/1

1st

8

17th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:45 Ffos Las

Tuscan Rose

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

midfield on outer, towards rear 5th, headway 8th, not fluent 4 out, led 2 out, hung right and bumped rival before last, ridden out run-in, always doing enough

4/1

Verdict

The King Of Ryhope is greatly feared but JOHNNYWHO could be a top prospect. He had none other than the Challow winner Hermes Allen trailing in his wake when winning his Irish point, and he really needs to be winning this as well to justify his Grade 1 entry at Cheltenham. Hunter Legend is the other one to bear in mind.[Alistair Jones]