January 31 / 16.45 Exeter

16.45

Good To Soft

Haldon Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 7f 25y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Haldon Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 13-225 C

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Easy winner of an Irish point and Exeter bumper (heavy) on first two starts; however, turned over at 8-13 on his next three outings and made an underwhelming handicap debut when second favourite at Ascot (2m7f) on latest start, so others are now preferred for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

1st May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Wrappedupinmay

12st 0lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: S Curling

Four wins in five races in points, the defeat inflicted by Hunters Yarn at Moig South last autumn; that rival seemed to be getting the upper hand when they both fell three out in the Fairyhouse race won by Five Star Getaway; useful second-string for champion-elect points trainer.

10/1

10

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 180y

17:30 Fairyhouse

Wrappedupinmay

12st 0lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: S Curling

Wide-margin point winner in 2023; useful hurdler for Paul Nicholls, sold cheaply after two failures over fences; beaten 8l by Hunters Yarn at Moig South on return to pointing; reversed form with the winner at Dromahane and won readily at Carrigarostig in January; intended runner at Cheltenham until withdrawn because of concerns about the ground; valuable 7lb off.

7/4

10/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: P81-14 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

11 yo Mare

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Veteran mare who ended last season with a win at Chepstow (near 3m, soft) and finished well for narrow win here (2m5f, good to soft) when back in action in November; creditable fourth, just behind Longshanks, here one month ago and this step back up in trip will help; considered each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

14:20 Chepstow

Chloes Court

10st 12lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Robert Walford

12yo who is 5-36 over hurdles, the latest win at Wincanton (3m, soft) last March off 2lb lower; needs much better than she's delivered last two starts, a start to the campaign which contrasts starkly with last term but her trainer has had recent winners.

14/1

7

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

14:20 Chepstow

Chloes Court

10st 12lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Robert Walford

12yo who is 5-36 over hurdles, the latest win at Wincanton (3m, soft) last March off 2lb lower; needs much better than she's delivered last two starts, a start to the campaign which contrasts starkly with last term but her trainer has had recent winners.

14/1

7/1

  • Place: £4.20

Form: 872

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Maiden pointer; easily his most competitive show came one month ago when second of 16 in a maiden hurdle here (2m2f, heavy) at 50-1; needs another burst of improvement but stuck to his task admirably that day and this radical change in trip could be just the ticket on today's handicap debut.
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: 34-1PP

Last run: 99 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Upped to 3m1f when making all in a Warwick maiden (3m1f, good) last May; pulled up in handicaps on both starts since (May and October) so a great deal seems to depend on November's wind surgery.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Exmoor Forest

11st 9lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Placed in three consecutive chases during the winter (2m7f-3m, good to soft) but this first hurdling start since March 2024 comes after a five-month break, so his fitness must be taken on trust.

12/1

2

18th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:35 Taunton

Exmoor Forest

11st 10lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Creditable third over C&D (good to soft) in December, after a wind op, and probably bettered that performance when filling same position at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) last month; remains on a workable mark and seems likely to be right in the thick of things again.

9/2

12/1

Form: 631425 CD

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Consistent sort who won three times last year, latest in September; well below form in December on latest start but that was after 79 days off, when 20-1 and over just an extended 2m5f, whereas most of his runs last year (and the wins) were over 2m7f-3m; place chance if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:52 Worcester

Halifax

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Grace Harris

Best effort this term when second in this grade at Market Rasen (2m7f, good) on penultimate start; on last winning mark so holds a fighting chance from a handicapping perspective.

8/1

7

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

16:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Halifax

10st 9lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Grace Harris

Well handicapped and looked booked for a return to winning ways at Market Rasen (2m7f, good) until reeled in late on; strongly considered on the back of that effort.

3/1

2nd

7

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

19:28 Market Rasen

Halifax

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Grace Harris

Back on same mark as Kempton win in May 2024 (3m, good); likely to be all the better for his latest run (first for 290 days); interesting.

8/1

Form: 351-

Last run: 373 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Shaped with promise on first two hurdling starts, then took a big step forward to win a Ffos Las maiden (2m4f, good to soft); that win was last January and the layoff asks a question but he did look a promising candidate for handicaps and moving up in trip; one to note.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

1st Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

13:50 Newbury

Hercules Morse

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Won 2m4f Ffos Las maiden last January; looked a promising candidate for handicaps after that, but tailed off on handicap debut at Exeter (2m7f, again good to soft) one month ago when next seen, making the early running at 6-1; back down in trip and may strip fitter this time, for in-form yard.

9/1

6th

2

31st Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

16:45 Exeter

Hercules Morse

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Shaped with promise on first two hurdling starts, then took a big step forward to win a Ffos Las maiden (2m4f, good to soft); that win was last January and the layoff asks a question but he did look a promising candidate for handicaps and moving up in trip; one to note.

11/2

1

3rd Apr 2023

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

14:30 Ludlow

Hercules Morse

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Shaped with promise on first two hurdling starts then took big step forward to win Ffos Las maiden (2m4f, good to soft) ten weeks ago; that form already puts him right in the thick of things here, and he's open to further improvement.

2/1

OUR TIP

Form: 523-4P

Last run: 47 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Very promising novice hurdler in 2021-22 season but 0-6 over fences since, having been pulled up seven weeks ago on latest outing; switches back to hurdling on a tempting mark but needs to get career back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

31st Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

16:45 Exeter

Ree Okka

12st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Very promising novice hurdler in 2021-22 season but 0-6 over fences since, having been pulled up seven weeks ago on latest outing; switches back to hurdling on a tempting mark but needs to get career back on track.

11/1

Form: 58P-P6 C

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden at Ffos Las (2m6f, soft) in February 2022 but there was nothing to cheer in his three runs last season or in his two attempts (over fences) this term; tongue tied twice last season and blinkered on latest outing; back over hurdles with a major question to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

31st Oct 2024

Good

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

13:45 Newcastle

Del La Mar Rocket

11st 7lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Hannah McMahon

Bumper and 2m6f hurdle winner on soft ground; formerly with Ben Pauling, for whom he lost his way; changed hands for £2,000 in February; cheekpieces go on; best watched on first start for this trainer.

100/1

5

31st Oct 2024

Good

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

13:45 Newcastle

Del La Mar Rocket

11st 7lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Hannah McMahon

Bumper and 2m6f hurdle winner on soft ground; formerly with Ben Pauling, for whom he lost his way; changed hands for £2,000 in February; cheekpieces go on; best watched on first start for this trainer.

100/1

Form: PP8-24 CD

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
3lb lower than when winning comfortably over fences here (3m, heavy) last January; second over hurdles here (2m7f, good to soft) in November is the only bright spot since and the return to this track (after Wincanton chase last time) means he is not totally dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

21st Apr 2024

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:35 Wincanton

Raddon Top

11st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

Has won four times at Exeter and yet he has struggled in handicap hurdles there the last twice; has won over fences but tried this discipline only once in the last 12 months and he was well beaten.

14/1

4th

6

21st Apr 2024

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:35 Wincanton

Raddon Top

11st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

Has won four times at Exeter and yet he has struggled in handicap hurdles there the last twice; has won over fences but tried this discipline only once in the last 12 months and he was well beaten.

14/1

5th

4

7th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

15:00 Exeter

Raddon Top

11st 13lb

J: James Turner

T: Chris Down

Four-time course winner (twice over C&D) who will be suited by today's ground; on a good mark now but was safely held when fourth here last month and needs to up his game.

16/1

Form: F76P-3 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Two point wins for new stable in November and there was a partial revival under rules too when third of eight off a career-low mark here (2m5f, heavy) one month ago; needs to build on that, dropped another 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 94-30P

Last run: 121 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Third in July but out of form in his two starts since and he's 14lb out of the handicap for this first run for four months.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

11th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

17:38 Huntingdon

Wearapinkribbon

10st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Max Comley

In a first-time visor and making stable debut when edging home over C&D in March (good to soft) but then finished tailed off at Exeter (good to firm); hard to be confident about how he'll run here with cheekpieces back on but the ability is there.

11/2

5th

6

11th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

17:38 Huntingdon

Wearapinkribbon

10st 4lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Max Comley

In a first-time visor and making stable debut when edging home over C&D in March (good to soft) but then finished tailed off at Exeter (good to firm); hard to be confident about how he'll run here with cheekpieces back on but the ability is there.

11/2

5th

7

23rd Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

15:02 Exeter

Wearapinkribbon

10st 10lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

9yo who snapped a long losing sequence on this month's stable debut at Huntingdon (3m2f, good to soft) when wearing a first-time visor (retained) on his first outing since wind surgery; 4lb higher today but could have more to offer for this yard; should be major player.

100/30

Non-runners

Commanche Red, Honneur DAjonc, Lassue, Oak Creek

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.90
Straight Forecast £15.42
Tricast £257.38
Trifecta £280.90

Selections

POSTDATA:

Wrappedupinmay

SPOTLIGHT:

Oak Creek

Daily Mirror:

Hercules Morse

RP RATINGS:

Ree Okka

TOPSPEED:

Halifax

The Guardian:

Chloe's Court

WEST COUNTRY:

Wrappedupinmay

The Times:

Wrappedupinmay

Daily Mail:

Wrappedupinmay

D Express:

Wrappedupinmay

The Sun:

Wrappedupinmay

Telegraph:

Oak Creek

The Star:

Oak Creek

Daily Record:

Oak Creek