April 11 / 14.15 Exeter

14.15

Good To Soft

City Of Exeter Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 0f 161y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
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City Of Exeter Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.60

Form: P12-PP D

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Bumper and 2m maiden hurdle winner but pulled up in both handicaps this year, over 3m and 2m4f; had wind surgery since but wellbeing in question and cheekpieces added now back at 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

6th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:20 Southwell

Kincardine

11st 13lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Returned to form with win in first-time cheekpieces at Exeter (2m, good to soft; first run after wind surgery) in April but was back in the doldrums at Ludlow last month; should be fine over today's trip but it's hard to predict whether he'll be in the right mood.

7/1

11th

8

9th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 3

19:00 Ludlow

Kincardine

11st 5lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Pulled up on his first two starts this season but then landed 2m Exeter handicap on the back of a wind op (also cheekpieces on) four weeks ago; still low mileage so he's not taken lightly despite a 4lb rise.

4/1

1st

8

11th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

14:15 Exeter

Kincardine

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

jumped right on occasions, made all, mistake 5 out, ridden and hard pressed from 2 out, mistake last, kept on well run-in

6/1

6/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: /38413

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Returned from wind surgery to win a 2m1f maiden hurdle in good style at Fontwell (good); had more to do under a penalty there next time and ran well in third; could well find more for the stiffer test at the trip now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

General Medrano

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Very well in with Petit Tonnerre on their Doncaster clash in January, after which he ran okay in the Grand Annual before a disappointing run at Aintree; this mark isn't beyond him and he returns with his stable ticking along very nicely.

9/2

4th

6

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

General Medrano

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Very well in with Petit Tonnerre on their Doncaster clash in January, after which he ran okay in the Grand Annual before a disappointing run at Aintree; this mark isn't beyond him and he returns with his stable ticking along very nicely.

9/2

10th

5

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

General Medrano

11st 5lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Generally quite progressive over the winter and there shouldn't be much between him and Dr T J Eckleburg on Haydock form (2m, soft) in November; however he couldn't play a part in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March and he's been left on the same mark in another warm race.

10/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 453-15

Last run: 91 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Bumper promise confirmed when winning 2m1f novice hurdle in November (good); faded on handicap debut at Doncaster in January (2m3f, good); had wind surgery since; non-runner three times on heavy/soft and the ground is key.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 4

15:40 Fontwell

Maclaine

12st 2lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Now only 1lb higher than for emphatic win at Newbury (2m6f, good to soft) in March 2024 but absent since a lesser effort the following October and entitled to benefit from this outing.

6/1

8

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

16:28 Exeter

Maclaine

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Richard J Bandey

Did not jump well enough when disappointing favourite at Ayr on final start last season but came good over fences with ready win at Newbury (2m6f, good to soft) in March and still has plenty of scope to progress from that performance.

4/1

7th

12

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:50 Ayr

Maclaine

10st 5lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

On a career-high mark after going up 8lb for winning at Newbury (2m6f, good to soft) but impressed with how he jumped and travelled that day (won easily); that was also a new trip for him, offering plenty of encouragement for this far.

8/1

Form: U31

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Dual 2m Flat winner, on AW and turf; has taken well to hurdles, dividing subsequent winners on first completion at Wincanton (1m7f) before making all in emphatic fashion over 2m4f there last month (good to soft); acted with a stiff finish on the Flat; should make a go of it on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:45 Taunton

Gyenyame

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

On a losing run but he's proving a consistent sort and came in a good second of eight in 3m1f handicap chase at Wincanton 19 days ago; he's firmly in the picture again off an unchanged mark.

3/1

2nd

5

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:40 Wincanton

Gyenyame

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Sole win since taking a 2m4f maiden hurdle on this card in 2023 came in a weak three-runner beginners' chase; respected on the form of November's Exeter 0-130 second (3m, good), however, with a tough task at the weights and (latest) desperate ground viable excuses either side of that.

6/1

3rd

2

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

16:55 Newton Abbot

Gyenyame

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Seemingly aided by blinkers when runner-up in two Class 4 handicap chases at Taunton (2m5f/2m7f) in February/March but can't be recommended in this company.

20/1

Form: -23153 D BF

Last run: 12 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Consistent mare who has C&D form; only 1lb higher than her latest winning mark, at Newbury in December (2m, good to soft), and probably found soft ground slower than ideal at Warwick 12 days ago; not far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:12 Ffos Las

Midnight Ginger

12st 0lb

J: Dillon Butler

T: Andrew J Martin

On a long losing run but she wasn't discredited on the back of wind surgery when fourth of six in 2m3f Warwick handicap 60 days ago; possibilities off a falling mark.

12/1

4th

3

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 5

16:05 Warwick

Midnight Ginger

11st 11lb

J: Dillon Butler

T: Andrew J Martin

Runner-up at Ludlow last February and now 8lb lower; however, this 10yo has struggled to get competitive since; has had wind surgery since last time, which needs to make a big difference.

14/1

Form: 612145 D

Last run: 165 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Four hurdle wins at 2m in France and Britain but he lost his edge at the end of his latest campaign and likely to be of more interest after this when back on a sharp track and sound surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 2122 D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Three hurdle runs in French provinces at about 2m1f, winning on heavy last June; hard to assess on sole run for this yard when a remote last of two at Haydock in March but no great surprise if he comes on a good deal now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

26th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

14:05 Ayr

Jolly Nellerie

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won over hurdles (2m1f, heavy) in France; has failed to reproduce that form in four British starts, latest switched to fences, but this new trip and first-time headgear are possible sources of improvement; sole runner on the card for Venetia Williams; interesting off a reduced mark.

3/1

4th

3

23rd Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:50 Newcastle

Jolly Nellerie

11st 12lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Heavy-ground hurdle winner in France; early days with current yard and his free-going tendencies ultimately came at a cost when beaten 15l on his return in a Uttoxeter handicap hurdle; chasing could be the making of him.

9/4

Form: 6-31

Last run: 274 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Little encouragement in first two runs but was much improved when winning at Newton Abbot last July (2m2f, good); is bred to do better yet but has been off a long time and is eligible for lower grades than this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

11th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

14:15 Exeter

Haloa Mail

10st 7lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Jackie Du Plessis

midfield

14/1

Form: 2-8240 D

Last run: 151 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Improver on Flat in 2021 but made no progress over hurdles after making a winning debut for Gordon Elliott last spring (2m, good to soft) and was a remote finisher on debut for this yard at Cheltenham in November (cheekpieces added, now discarded); hard to predict major turnaround.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

16th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

12:40 Taunton

Platinumcard

11st 11lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

Well beaten on all five starts for David Pipe, the last two on heavy ground last month; comes here with a lot to prove but combination of better ground and first-time blinkers may enable an upturn.

16/1

6th

7

21st Oct 2023

Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:15 Newton Abbot

Platinumcard

11st 0lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

led

25/1

0

12

13th Oct 2023

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

16:33 Chepstow

Platinumcard

10st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Plenty of competitive form on the Flat and over hurdles for previous yards but has looked cold as ice in three runs for this one; could yet turn a corner and well treated if he did.

25/1

Form: 4/76/6 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Much higher-rated chaser in earlier times for Paul Nicholls, when winning over 2m3f here in 2019, but he didn't show much when back from two years off 16 days ago; not yet one to be interested in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

31st Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 4

16:15 Exeter

Saintemilion

10st 10lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

C&D winner in 2019 but he hasn't been in much form since returning from two years off last March.

66/1

6

1st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

15:20 Exeter

Saintemilion

11st 1lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Jimmy Frost

Has not seen much action in recent years and he returned from another absence with two heavy defeats here (hurdle/chase) last month; mark is tumbling but he's well into the veteran stage now and has plenty to prove.

33/1

6th

1

21st Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

15:55 Exeter

Saintemilion

12st 0lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

Had two long layoffs in recent years and there's hardly been an echo of his old form; way down the weights but his last win was in 2019 and he has plenty to prove on this return to chasing.

25/1

7/1

Form: -12233 BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won soft-ground hurdle in France; early promise in Britain but he faded in Plumpton handicap last month (2m4f, soft); return to shorter should help and yard continues in tremendous form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Le Patron

11st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase here (1m7f, heavy) in December 2023 and comfortably won handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) last November; the return to Sandown is an interesting angle but he's been well beaten the last twice and needs to be better than ever today; headgear applied.

16/1

8

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Le Patron

11st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase here (1m7f, heavy) in December 2023 and comfortably won handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) last November; the return to Sandown is an interesting angle but he's been well beaten the last twice and needs to be better than ever today; headgear applied.

16/1

5

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 8y

Class 1

15:37 Ascot

Le Patron

11st 10lb

J: David Noonan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Record of 4-7 over fences includes a Grade 1 novice win last term and impressive handicap performance at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance; perhaps unsuited by the return to Cheltenham last time; has something to find at the weights but looks interesting as a second-season chaser who could rate higher still.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: -1116P D

Last run: 168 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won maiden and three novice hurdles at up to 2m5f in the first half of 2022 (on good and good to soft) but she struggled in a Grade 2 in October and was pulled up on handicap debut at Chepstow later that month; has something to prove with regular cheekpieces left off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

14:30 Stratford

Gentle Connections

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear, struggling before 4 out, no telling impression

5/2

2nd

3

8th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 5

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Gentle Connections

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear

8/1

4th

4

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:55 Warwick

Gentle Connections

11st 2lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, briefly led 7th, lost third 4 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out

6/1

25/1

Form: 12-P6P D

Last run: 106 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Promising for Dan Skelton in 2021 but was sidelined for 16 months and a shadow of his old self since, pulled up for the second time when cheekpieces fitted in December (discarded here); can only watch for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

11

11th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

14:15 Exeter

Gregor

11st 1lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

held up in rear

25/1

2

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

11:55 Market Rasen

Gregor

11st 12lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, lost position and pushed along briefly 3rd, reminders after 4th, ridden and struggling after 5th

10/1

6th

7

9th Dec 2022

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

15:17 Doncaster

Gregor

11st 9lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

Won a Stratford novice (2m, good) last summer but after 486 days off he was pulled up on his handicap debut at Warwick (2m3f, soft; weak 18-1 shot) last month; still unexposed in this sphere but that was a laboured effort last time and he is best watched unless market is persuasive.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £75.30
Straight Forecast £65.41
Tricast £263.42
Trifecta £370.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Gyenyame

TOPSPEED:

Midnight Ginger

Daily Mail:

Bannister

Daily Mirror:

Jolly Nellerie

POSTDATA:

Le Patron

RP Ratings:

General Medrano

WEST COUNTRY:

Platinumcard

Telegraph:

Gyenyame

The Guardian:

Gyenyame

D Express:

Gyenyame

The Star:

Gyenyame

Daily Record:

Gyenyame

The Times:

Midnight Ginger

The Sun:

Bannister