February 01 / 15.55 Exeter

15.55

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4488.85
  • 2m 7f 25y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 61-622 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner last season who's been runner-up at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) and Warwick (3m2f, soft) on his last two outings; needs extra to win this but he's in the each-way picture.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

12:30 Chepstow

Farmers Gamble

11st 8lb

T: Dan Skelton

Well handicapped on old form but has failed to complete his last four races, most recently when pulled up over 3m on recent seasonal debut at Southwell; drops back in trip here; cheekpieces refitted; revival needed.

33/1

7

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

12:30 Chepstow

Farmers Gamble

11st 8lb

T: Dan Skelton

Well handicapped on old form but has failed to complete his last four races, most recently when pulled up over 3m on recent seasonal debut at Southwell; drops back in trip here; cheekpieces refitted; revival needed.

33/1

4

3rd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:45 Southwell

Farmers Gamble

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Came well clear for the second of two staying handicap wins, at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) in February 2023; nothing comparable in a handful of starts since, although heavy ground wouldn't have been ideal on latest start in March; on a good mark now; revival possible at some stage.

33/1

20/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 323534

Last run: 62 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Wore cheekpieces on last two outings; fourth of 13 at Wincanton (3m, good to soft) two months ago on latest start was the best he's produced since going handicapping but he needs to improve on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

The Bold Thady

11st 3lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Has been running well for a while over hurdles at up to 3m and made a respectable chase debut when fourth over C&D in June; possible.

10/1

10

12th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

18:10 Worcester

The Bold Thady

10st 8lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Newcomer to fences and there are chasers in the family; has been running well for a while over hurdles at up to 3m and bumped into an in-form rival last time; could feature if finding some fluency over his fences.

10/1

2

25th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

14:58 Fontwell

The Bold Thady

12st 0lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Good-ground winner for claiming riders over 3m2f here last May and 2m7f last September; competitive on last three outings (good to soft latest) and needs respect despite this being his shortest trip for over two years.

4/1

20/1

  • Place: £7.90

Form: 44P-3P C

Last run: 33 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Thorough stayer who gained last two wins over 3m4f and 3m6f; made a respectable seasonal debut and has slipped to a good mark but he was pulled up at Haydock on second run back; hurdling for first time since 2020.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

19th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:00 Exeter

Samuel Jackson

12st 0lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Veteran who is very well suited by this track and won't fail through lack of stamina; proved he retains some ability when respectable fourth at Warwick (3m1f, soft) in January but was pulled up on three of his last four appearances and it's hard to predict whether he'll fancy the job today.

12/1

6

17th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:17 Wincanton

Samuel Jackson

11st 9lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Now a 12yo and he's struggling to recapture his best form, with a remote fourth at Warwick no real indication that he's about to turn a corner.

16/1

4th

7

22nd Jan 2024

Frozen

3m 1f 100y

Class 4

15:40 Warwick

Samuel Jackson

11st 11lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

It was over hurdles that he pulled up on his comeback and this is more his game, though he also failed to complete on his final two chases of last season; has just turned 12 and might do well to get his form back.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 221

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Second over shorter at Market Rasen and Lingfield before winning a five-runner race at Aintree (3m, good to soft) two months ago on handicap debut; raised 7lb today but stamina won it for him last time and he has more to offer in a slog.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

23

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Broadway Boy

10st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Started this season brightly, notably when second to Kandoo Kid in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft); he'd have a good shout judged on that display and going beyond 3m2f made plenty of appeal even before that; however, he disappointed at Cheltenham on New Year's Day and ran badly there last month; cheekpieces (tried at this meeting last year, tailed off) return.

66/1

23

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Broadway Boy

10st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Started this season brightly, notably when second to Kandoo Kid in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft); he'd have a good shout judged on that display and going beyond 3m2f made plenty of appeal even before that; however, he disappointed at Cheltenham on New Year's Day and ran badly there last month; cheekpieces (tried at this meeting last year, tailed off) return.

66/1

3

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Broadway Boy

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Didn't jump fluently when below par here on New Year's Day; however, he's reportedly had his knees medicated since and two starts ago was a fine second in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft); two wins here (3m/3m2f) during last season's novice campaign; in the mix if back on song.

7/1

Form: 76-214 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 8lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
12yo who ended a long losing run at Chepstow (3m, good to soft) in November; remote fourth when 20-1 in a better race there five weeks ago; perhaps it's significant that second start was easily his best form last term.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

15:00 Exeter

Bobo Mac

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Tom Symonds

A teenager now and no longer the force of old but was placed three consecutive times before clinging on to win by a short head at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) in February; pulled nicely clear of the others with a next-time-out winner there, so a 4lb rise is arguably lenient.

9/2

3

7th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

15:00 Exeter

Bobo Mac

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Tom Symonds

A teenager now and no longer the force of old but was placed three consecutive times before clinging on to win by a short head at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) in February; pulled nicely clear of the others with a next-time-out winner there, so a 4lb rise is arguably lenient.

9/2

1st

6

1st Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

14:30 Ffos Las

Bobo Mac

11st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Tom Symonds

towards rear

6/1

Form: 455-22

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
0-5 over fences but Exeter runner-up over 3m in that sphere on both starts this season and went down by just a neck on latest; that form (plus best efforts in 2021) gives her a big shout on this return to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

26th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

13:28 Wincanton

Lady Kk

11st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Jeremy Scott

Bounced back from a disappointing seasonal debut (over hurdles) to win narrowly at Taunton (2m7f, good) last month; will be fine on today's slower ground but has become a hard mare to predict and is on a career-high mark.

7/2

1st

1

30th Nov 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

13:25 Taunton

Lady Kk

12st 0lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Seemingly boosted by first-time cheekpieces when winning small-field mares' chase here (2m5f, good) in March but was pulled up on both subsequent outings (chase/hurdle) and has become a hard one to predict.

10/1

0

6

29th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

16:04 Wincanton

Lady Kk

11st 11lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Ran poorly on last season's sole run over hurdles, while taking well to fences until a respiratory noise was reported on final outing; cheekpieces last two; needs to be back at her best on this first run since wind surgery.

16/1

Form: 224-4P D

Last run: 37 days

W: 12st 2lb

14 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Front-running veteran who proved suited by the switch back to hurdling last term and he won off 2lb higher last January; his reappearance this time round was better than in the previous two seasons, but he then took a backward step at Wincanton on Boxing Day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

1st Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

15:55 Exeter

Jepeck

12st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

led

14/1

10

26th Dec 2022

Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 2

15:13 Wincanton

Jepeck

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Anthony Honeyball

Front-running veteran who proved suited by the switch back to hurdling last term, including for a 2m5f win under 5lb claimer here and he also ran well here on next two outings; stamina isn't a problem and he goes well in the mud; his reappearance this time round was better than in the previous two seasons and he could have a say if that run has helped to put him right.

11/1

Form: 1-25 CD BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Dual point winner; C&D win on soft last March was a promising start over hurdles and he ran creditably when next seen at Carlisle (2m3f) in November; however, flopped when favourite for handicap debut at Chepstow (3m, soft) five weeks ago, so there are mixed messages.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

21st Nov 2023

Soft

2m 7f 110y

Class 3

13:45 Lingfield

Just A Dime

10st 12lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Ben Clarke

Couldn't land any sort of blow in his two handicap hurdles last winter but there were plenty of positives to take from his novice runs and this point runner-up is an interesting contender on chase debut, especially with a decent record fresh; had wind op.

4/1

Form: 23-4F2

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Short-headed on sole start here; absent 380 days before this season; made up a lot of late ground when 40-1 second of ten at Hereford (3m2f, soft) on latest start, which she needs to build on but there's now renewed hope and her form early in 2021 was 9lb better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

16th Dec 2023

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 2

13:00 Hereford

Aimee De Sivola

11st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Formerly a very capable hurdler; has returned to fences the last twice and been well held, latterly behind Shirocco's Dream over C&D.

25/1

5th

2

6th Nov 2023

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

14:20 Hereford

Aimee De Sivola

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

midfield, outpaced 11th, detached after 4 out, no impression from 3 out

12/1

4th

5

29th Sep 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:15 Worcester

Aimee De Sivola

10st 9lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Fairly useful hurdler in her prime and went close in a C&D chase in 2021 but wasn't at her best last season and is not favoured by the weights on this first start for five months.

25/1

25/1

Form: 433456

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
2m5f Ludlow winner last March (off 5lb lower after wind surgery) and good second over almost 3m next time; rather mixed last summer and heavy defeats on both starts this winter but he needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

31st May 2023

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:00 Newton Abbot

Itacare

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

Scored off 3lb higher at Ludlow (2m5f, good) last spring but he's been out of sorts in his last five runs, including on his return after another wind operation at Worcester (tailed off) three weeks ago; has plenty to prove and he needs a major revival.

14/1

7th

12

8th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Worcester

Itacare

11st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Scored off today's mark at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in March 2022 and was placed over C&D (good) off 9lb higher last summer; out of sorts when last seen in the winter but had another wind op (his third) during subsequent 96-day break and can't be ruled out.

12/1

10th

6

1st Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

15:55 Exeter

Itacare

11st 9lb

J: Philip Armson

T: David Pipe

midfield

25/1

Form: 2P2-FU

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
0-9 under rules but runner-up in four and running creditably when falling two out at Ffos Las (3m, soft) in November; visored first time and not so good when he went three out at Plumpton six weeks ago; the headgear is retained but he's back over hurdles for first time in nearly two years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

1st Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

15:55 Exeter

Poldark Cross

11st 1lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Harry Whittington

in touch with leaders

10/1

6

20th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

15:00 Plumpton

Poldark Cross

11st 3lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Harry Whittington

0-8 under rules but was second in two 2m3f chases last season and was running a big race before penultimate-fence fall at Ffos Las (3m, soft) last month; still very unexposed over this sort of trip and can play a major role if the first-time visor has a positive effect.

3/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £56.00
Straight Forecast £41.55
Tricast £1445.42
Trifecta £1427.40

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Broadway Boy

SPOTLIGHT:

Lady Kk

TOPSPEED:

Just A Dime

RP Ratings:

Aimee De Sivola

The Star:

Farmer's Gamble

The Times:

Broadway Boy

Telegraph:

Broadway Boy

Daily Mirror:

Broadway Boy

The Sun:

Broadway Boy

Daily Record:

Broadway Boy

D Express:

Just A Dime

The Guardian:

Lady Kk

Daily Mail:

Lady Kk

POSTDATA:

Aimee De Sivola