December 21 / 15.25 Exeter

15.25

Soft

Get Daily Tips At racingtv.com Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4955.32
  • 2m 0f 161y
  • Class 4
  • 16 runners
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Get Daily Tips At racingtv.com Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 12-0 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Eyecatching bumper form (on soft) in winning at Hereford and then coming up shy under a penalty behind one who has since finished second in a Listed race; weak 10-1 chance when tailed off on hurdling debut at Chepstow; he's better than that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Alcedo

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

All four wins have been from 2m to 2m4f (on good to soft to heavy), two of those over fences; clearly in fair nick after a win and two seconds in his last three races (3m/2m4f; all in cheekpieces) but he'll be into unknown territory a long way from home over this distance; too risky.

14/1

2nd

1

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:05 Warwick

Alcedo

11st 11lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

8yo who is lightly raced for his age and won in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in November; close second at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) since; fully effective on testing ground and he holds leading claims.

13/8

9/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 34-1 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Brother to good Flat/hurdle winner Navajo Pass; built on last season's promise to overcome trouble in running and win a Newbury bumper on good to soft last month; there's some substance to that form and he looks to have a future.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

13:15 Cheltenham

Navajo Indy

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tom Symonds

Began last season in excellent form, notably when winning Gerry Feilden at Newbury (2m, good to soft); off since staying on to snatch third in William Hill Hurdle there (2m, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in February but, on that evidence, he's well worth another crack at 2m4f; no headgear today.

11/2

5/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£64,000 3yo; fifth foal; half-brother to French 1m5f AQPS Flat winner Effix De Brion; dam 1m4f/1m7f AQPS Flat and 2m3f hurdle winner; one to note in the betting for his powerful connections.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

13:50 Kempton

Juventus De Brion

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, hung left and weakened from 2 out

9/2

6th

5

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

13:50 Kempton

Juventus De Brion

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, hung left and weakened from 2 out

9/2

2nd

4

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:00 Newcastle

Juventus De Brion

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Fell at the first flight in Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow (17-2) on penultimate start and never threatened to justify evens favouritism with an underpowered display in a maiden there (again about 2m4f on good to soft) later in October; last February's third at Ascot is the best form in this field but a lot now seems to depend on the wind surgery he had in November; also now tongue tied.

4/5

Form: 4

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £60,000 after easily justifying favouritism in three-finisher Irish point; only 11-4 for his hurdling debut at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) and didn't look at home under those conditions; the winner finished behind Alcedo in one of his bumpers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

7th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

15:37 Huntingdon

Davidoc

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

0-8 over fences for Ben Pauling and seemingly a tricky horse to win with but scores good marks for his consistency and 2m4f on good ground suits him well; sports first-time hood on stable debut (same owners); probably won't be far away.

11/2

2nd

3

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:05 Worcester

Davidoc

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Winning hurdler who is 0-7 over fences but has been running well in defeat at up to 2m6f; must have every chance; cheekpieces tried last time are now dispensed with.

5/2

5

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:30 Stratford

Davidoc

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

0-6 over fences but has twice run well in defeat over 2m4f at Warwick (good) this spring, latterly behind A Dublin Job; moves up in trip and sports first-time cheekpieces here; major player.

9/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Strong in the market when pulled up in his first two points but came good in the third earlier this year and changed hands for £40,000 soon afterwards; should have a future under rules.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

14:55 Chepstow

Totowolfe

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

towards rear

33/1

9

12th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

14:18 Hereford

Totowolfe

10st 4lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

in rear, headway into midfield 8th, not fluent 11th, weakened before 2 out (usual 3 out), pulled up last (usual 2 out)

20/1

7th

11

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Totowolfe

10st 7lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

towards rear, midfield when mistake 3rd

25/1

Form:

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Cost just 1,000euros as a 3yo but she finished mid-division in a Wincanton bumper (good to soft) and that wasn't a bad start; still features down the pecking order on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:15 Newton Abbot

Elusiveness

10st 12lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

3-3 since swapping cheekpieces for blinkers, the latest win gained at Haydock (3m, good) in April; subsequent six-month break may have checked her momentum but today's drop back in trip should not be a problem.

5/1

1st

4

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

16:25 Haydock

Elusiveness

11st 7lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

prominent, went second 2 out, challenging approaching last, ridden and led narrowly last, kept on

3/1

1st

4

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

16:25 Haydock

Elusiveness

11st 7lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

prominent, went second 2 out, challenging approaching last, ridden and led narrowly last, kept on

3/1

Form: 8

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Didn't run too badly for a 200-1 chance here last week but was beaten 28l and he's unlikely to be winning this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

3rd Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:30 Newton Abbot

Daring Plan

10st 6lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sue Gardner

Placed twice over shorter this year, runner-up at Fontwell (2m5f) last time; one of the main players on recent form but is no certainty to go one better, being 0-23 overall and not a certain stayer back up in trip.

5/2

2nd

5

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

15:30 Fontwell

Daring Plan

10st 11lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

7lb higher when going close over 2m3f here last May (good) but remains a maiden and has become inconsistent.

7/1

Form: 3F

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Close third in a slowly run good-ground bumper at Southwell; 150-1 and around 20l behind the leaders when coming down mid-race on hurdling debut at Taunton.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

27th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:23 Newton Abbot

Senor Diaz

10st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Jimmy Frost

13-race maiden who has been pulled up in both runs over fences (2m3f) and was tailed off back over hurdles at Exeter (2m, good) last time; opposable.

33/1

5th

8

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

19:10 Exeter

Senor Diaz

10st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Jimmy Frost

Placed in a bumper and a novices' hurdle (heavy) when with Seamus Mullins; has failed to complete in all three starts for his current trainer.

33/1

7

7th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

16:10 Exeter

Senor Diaz

10st 4lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Jimmy Frost

Pulled up on his chasing debut in a C&D handicap in December; went off 40-1 that day so hard to warm to.

33/1

Form: 02-0

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a Fontwell bumper (1m5f, soft) and unlikely that he gave his true running when a major fader on his switch to hurdling at Warwick (2m3f, soft); 7-1 that day and interesting to see what the market makes of him this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

10th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 50y

15:15 Cork

Mount Ferns

11st 3lb

J: G B Noonan

T: E McNamara

Hurdles win in 2024 came at Listowel (2m, soft) off 91; returned there in September for a staying-on third in same event (following 141-day absence); 6-4 favourite for handicap chase at Killarney when last seen, falling at three out when going okay; lightly raced and could go well.

11/2

3rd

3

26th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

14:33 Listowel

Mount Ferns

11st 13lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: E McNamara

Yard's runners often go well here and last year's winner is back to defend his crown off 8lb higher; that success came after a similar break so his lack of a recent run isn't a concern but he has to prove this mark isn't beyond him.

4/1

6

8th May 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 130y

17:35 Tipperary

Mount Ferns

11st 2lb

J: Conor McNamara

T: E McNamara

in rear, bad mistake 2nd

15/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Debatable what he acheived in finishing second in two small-field British points earlier in the year; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

26th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 5

16:28 Wetherby

Shady B

12st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

didn't always jump with fluency, held up in rear, not fluent 5th

5/2

1st

5

6th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:05 Ffos Las

Shady B

11st 3lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

held up in rear, headway 5 out, challenging going best 3 out, led 2 out, ridden when good jump last, went clear run-in, readily

4/1

5

6th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:05 Ffos Las

Shady B

11st 3lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Wind surgery preceded two good runs last March, including a narrow win at Chepstow (near 3m, soft; 2lb higher today); reappearance third at Uttoxeter on New Year's Eve wasn't bad and he's had another wind operation since.

4/1

Form: 8-84

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First real sign of promise under rules when 21l away in a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las last week (2m, heavy); that run entitles him to place claims here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

13th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:40 Chepstow

Inebranlable

11st 6lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Ben Clarke

Showed only minor promise in his qualifying runs and was well beaten (albeit on heavy ground) when switched to a handicap at Uttoxeter (2m) in January; moves back up in trip here; significant improvement needed.

25/1

9th

8

13th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:40 Chepstow

Inebranlable

11st 6lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Ben Clarke

Showed only minor promise in his qualifying runs and was well beaten (albeit on heavy ground) when switched to a handicap at Uttoxeter (2m) in January; moves back up in trip here; significant improvement needed.

25/1

8th

8

27th Jan 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:48 Uttoxeter

Inebranlable

11st 5lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Ben Clarke

midfield, weakened after 6th

10/1

Form: 5577

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Never that competitive in his three bumpers and finished tailed off in a Taunton novice (250-1).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Worcester

Basman Palace

11st 1lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Carroll Gray

Off the mark at the 13th attempt under rules at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in March, but finished a well-held fourth of seven at Taunton (3m, good to firm) last month; return to this trip should suit and one for the shortlist.

13/2

6th

5

13th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Worcester

Basman Palace

11st 1lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Carroll Gray

Off the mark at the 13th attempt under rules at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in March, but finished a well-held fourth of seven at Taunton (3m, good to firm) last month; return to this trip should suit and one for the shortlist.

13/2

4th

6

9th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:25 Taunton

Basman Palace

10st 7lb

J: James Davies

T: Carroll Gray

in rear but in touch with leaders, some headway after 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, weakened approaching last

6/4

Form: F3/4/

Last run: 784 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Has had a long time off but there were positives to take from his completions behind useful opposition in two good-ground 2m hurdles; has left Dan Skelton but remains in the same ownership; had wind op; let the market guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

11:45 Market Rasen

Lustleigh

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

held up in last, pushed along 3 out, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

14/1

7

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

11:45 Market Rasen

Lustleigh

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

held up in last, pushed along 3 out, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

14/1

11th

8

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 5

19:00 Exeter

Lustleigh

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Polly Gundry

Not devoid of ability in three starts for Dan Skelton; cause for optimism from his second chase start, when second at Ludlow (2m, soft) in February; below that level at Taunton (2m, soft) since but if you can forgive that he could be competitive now 2lb lower.

7/1

Form: 5

Last run: 170 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Nice pedigree and bred to stay well; wouldn't have been helped by a slow gallop when fifth of seven runners in a Stratford bumper (only 15-2); still best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

10th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

14:52 Ludlow

Joker Jack

10st 5lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Claire Hitch

Has no form claims and being 6lb out of the weights is no help; instantly opposed.

100/1

9th

11

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

19:30 Taunton

Joker Jack

10st 5lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Claire Hitch

Pulled up on two of his three starts this season, including on chase debut in February and when tried in this headgear combination back over hurdles last time; has undergone wind surgery since but still looks best watched.

50/1

11

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

15:25 Hereford

Joker Jack

10st 5lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Claire Hitch

Has shown only the odd sign of ability over hurdles and pulled up on chase debut last month; 5lb out of the handicap back hurdling; cheekpieces (tried once) join the tongue-tie of last three starts.

50/1

Form:

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Had a lot of Flat racing in France and won a 1m3f soft-ground handicap at Windsor in April on his third run for David Pipe; left that yard after a poor final run and he showed nothing on his switch to hurdling at Taunton.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:16 Taunton

Talap

10st 5lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Gordon Edwards

0-9 over hurdles but he has won in other disciplines and his 8l second of ten to Cooler Than Me over C&D (heavy; 100-1) last time was easily his most competitive show as a handicap hurdler; considered for a place.

8/1

2nd

10

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:15 Taunton

Talap

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Gordon Edwards

0-8 over hurdles and beaten 14l or more in all four handicaps; hard to make a case for.

66/1

10th

13

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

13:52 Wincanton

Talap

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Gordon Edwards

0-7 over hurdles; ran well for a long way when eighth from out of the weights over C&D (good to soft) on Boxing Day and is effectively 10lb lower today but his overall profile remains unconvincing.

25/1

Form: 00-

Last run: 273 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed nothing in two Chepstow bumpers, in a hood and then cheekpieces; had wind surgery and now tries more new headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

1st Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Gypsy Hill

11st 2lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

No worthwhile form in two bumpers and a maiden hurdle, trying different headgear on each occasion; now tries another combination.

100/1

0

16

21st Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:25 Exeter

Gypsy Hill

10st 11lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Victor Dartnall

Showed nothing in two Chepstow bumpers, in a hood and then cheekpieces; had wind surgery and now tries more new headgear.

50/1

10th

4

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

17:25 Chepstow

Gypsy Hill

11st 0lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Wore a hood and was always towards rear when 33-1 for debut here (good to soft) last month; tried in cheekpieces today.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.20
Straight Forecast £7.31
Trifecta £32.20

Selections

The Times:

Navajo Indy

POSTDATA:

Davidoc

SPOTLIGHT:

Alcedo

Telegraph:

Joker Jack

WEST COUNTRY:

Totowolfe

The Guardian:

Davidoc

Daily Mail:

Navajo Indy

D Express:

Navajo Indy

Daily Mirror:

Navajo Indy

The Sun:

Navajo Indy

The Star:

Navajo Indy

Daily Record:

Navajo Indy

RP RATINGS:

Alcedo