February 24 / 14.40 Exeter

14.40

Good

Virgin Bet Daily Money Back Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 2f 111y
  • Class 4
  • 4 runners
RTV
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Virgin Bet Daily Money Back Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00

Form: 50/65

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well held in both hurdle runs after a long absence but he shaped with some promise when fifth of 11 here (2m5f, good to soft) three weeks ago; not sure this drop back in trip is ideal but he's still very lightly raced and is the clear second-best on the figures behind Buckhorn Rocco.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

26th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

19:39 Plumpton

Earth King

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Five-time winner over hurdles who had looked to be in the grip of the handicapper since winning at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in July; however, having come back down in the weights, he stayed on well to regain the winning thread at Hereford (3m1f, good) this month; going back up 4lb is a slight concern, but this looks an inviting opportunity if he repeats that effort.

9/4

1st

3

5th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:47 Hereford

Earth King

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Neil Mulholland

Four-time winner over hurdles who had looked to be in the grip of the handicapper since wining at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in July; however, he's now back on that winning mark and his latest fourth of four at Taunton (3m, good) in a Class 3 was encouraging; respected.

6/1

4th

2

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

16:50 Taunton

Earth King

11st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Has four wins over hurdles but is 2lb above his last winning mark; returns from a break and probably needs to come down a few pounds.

9/2

Form: /16-24

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Sandown bumper winner who made a stirring comeback from a lengthy absence when going close behind a useful rival on his hurdling debut here (2m, heavy) last month; ran to a similar level when a 3l fourth at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago and he sets a clear standard in this small field; should be very hard to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

11

16th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 3

14:25 Wincanton

Buckhorn Rocco

11st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Joe Tizzard

Began hurdling career with two very promising runs at start of this year (2m) but was turned over at very short odds on next outing (2m2f) and underperformed when upped to 2m5f three weeks ago; needs a boost from the first-time cheekpieces on today's handicap debut.

12/1

3rd

2

26th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

13:42 Exeter

Buckhorn Rocco

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Won soft-ground Sandown bumper last season and has made the frame on all three hurdling starts this term; turned over at very short odds when second of four here (2m2f, good) last month and moves up in trip with a point to prove, but his earlier form makes him a leading contender.

13/8

2nd

1

24th Feb 2023

Good

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

14:40 Exeter

Buckhorn Rocco

11st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

raced in second, jumped right 1st, ridden just before 3 out, hit 2 out, soon no impression and held

1/4

Form: 00-0

Last run: 124 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in bumper last December and same story in two runs over hurdles since; looks one for minor handicaps a bit further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:05 Taunton

Emberscombe

10st 2lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Dual point winner who is 0-13 under rules; 80-1 when pulled up in latest handicap; 7lb out of the weights.

100/1

11

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:33 Worcester

Emberscombe

10st 4lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Joe Tickle

Best caught at this time of year, having won points on Exmoor in late May 2024 (good) and again 24 days ago (good to firm); reproduction of the form of her Cheltenham hunter chase run won't suffice, however.

10/1

5th

4

2nd May 2025

Good

3m 1f 56y

Class 4

18:55 Cheltenham

Emberscombe

11st 8lb

J: Mr James Shaw

T: Miss D Kenealy

prominent, awkward jump 13th, weakened before 2 out

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 8506

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has struggled at big prices in all four runs this winter including over hurdles in last two starts; was thrown in at the deep end against Luccia in a Listed event over C&D last time but he still has stacks to find with Buckhorn Rocco here; can only be watched.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.40
Straight Forecast £5.56
Trifecta £9.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Buckhorn Rocco

RP Ratings:

Buckhorn Rocco

TOPSPEED:

Buckhorn Rocco

POSTDATA:

Buckhorn Rocco

WEST COUNTRY:

Buckhorn Rocco

The Times:

Buckhorn Rocco

Telegraph:

Buckhorn Rocco

The Guardian:

Buckhorn Rocco

Daily Mail:

Buckhorn Rocco

D Express:

Buckhorn Rocco

Daily Mirror:

Buckhorn Rocco

The Sun:

Buckhorn Rocco

The Star:

Buckhorn Rocco

Daily Record:

Buckhorn Rocco