April 19 / 19.00 Exeter

19.00

Good To Soft

Heavitree Brewery Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 1f 109y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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Heavitree Brewery Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 073

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Improved on his hurdle debut effort when seventh at Taunton (2m3f, good) in February, before making the frame at Plumpton (2m, soft) later that month; open to improvement now going chasing and looks interesting from a workable mark; tongue-tie goes on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:10 Plumpton

Hidalgo Des Bordes

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Impressed on chase debut at Exeter (2m2f, good; first-time tongue-tie) in April and next race only six days on perhaps came too soon; ran better the following month and has had wind surgery during his break; might be on a tough mark but respected.

3/1

1

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:10 Plumpton

Hidalgo Des Bordes

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Impressed on chase debut at Exeter (2m2f, good; first-time tongue-tie) in April and next race only six days on perhaps came too soon; ran better the following month and has had wind surgery during his break; might be on a tough mark but respected.

3/1

3rd

1

26th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

15:14 Fontwell

Hidalgo Des Bordes

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Made an impressive winning chase debut at Exeter (2m2f, good; first-time tongue-tie) last month but disappointed under a 7lb penalty at Warwick (2m, good; 4-5) six days later; perhaps the race came too soon (he reportedly made a respiratory noise) and he is shortlisted, despite another 6lb rise, if back on song.

7/2

9/4

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 2-07PF

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Best hurdling effort came on good ground last spring (1m7f, first-time hood) and he shaped well back on a sound surface on his 2m Huntingdon chase debut last month, upsides under hand riding when falling at the last; capable of winning a handicap chase off a mark in the 90s on that evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 4

16:07 Newbury

Dunstall Rambler

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Tom George

Weakened to be beaten 22l last time at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) and all his three wins have been at about 2m; wouldn't be the obvious answer no matter how well the new headgear works.

25/1

4th

3

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

13:02 Southwell

Dunstall Rambler

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Tom George

Won for the third time over fences at Worcester in October (2m, good; by 18l); has a chance on that run but best form has been at shorter (jumped poorly when well beaten on last completed run at 2m4f); acts on good to soft but he's not a real mudlark.

7/1

1

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:57 Worcester

Dunstall Rambler

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Tom George

Consistent sort who won twice over fences last term; stable's first runner over fences this season and may have more to give.

10/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 5/7-P5

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Placed in a soft ground bumper; showed some ability over hurdles without going close to winning; weakened out of it on his recent chase debut at Hereford (2m, soft); blinkers go on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

7th Jun 2024

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:20 Market Rasen

Hooky Street

10st 13lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Dickin

Placed at Exeter (2m1f, good) in April on his second start over fences but he's struggled in both runs since; now drops back in trip but overall record stands at 0-13 and others are preferred; tongue-tie added.

12/1

6th

4

16th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:10 Fontwell

Hooky Street

11st 5lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Dickin

led, headed 7th, led again 8th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened

9/1

6th

4

16th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:10 Fontwell

Hooky Street

11st 5lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Dickin

Placed in a bumper and also over fences, the latter coming at Exeter (2m1f, good; first-time blinkers) on his penultimate start; weakened quickly when pulled up at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) latest; return to further could help him be more competitive.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: -P7544

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
2m3f hurdle winner (good to soft) last spring; well-held fourth here latest but could give him a chance based on his Hereford fourth prior to that; not ruled out in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Samtara

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Marshall

T: Ms Claire Hart

1-31 and not always a strong finisher under rules previously, but really dug in to wrest the prize back at Mollington latest (2m4f, good to firm); plenty to find on peak ratings but confidence restored at least.

33/1

5

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Samtara

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Marshall

T: Ms Claire Hart

1-31 and not always a strong finisher under rules previously, but really dug in to wrest the prize back at Mollington latest (2m4f, good to firm); plenty to find on peak ratings but confidence restored at least.

33/1

8th

7

30th May 2024

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

18:10 Warwick

Samtara

11st 4lb

J: Mr Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Not the best of strike-rates but sound run when second over fences at Huntingdon last time (2m7f, good); well handicapped at present; a possible back hurdling.

10/1

Form: 77PP

Last run: 111 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Irish point runner up who is hard to make a strong case for based on his form under rules so far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

7th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

16:10 Exeter

Hellstopatthetop

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Richenda Ford

0-4 in points and 0-14 under rules (0-9 chasing); out of form late last year and out of the handicap this afternoon.

50/1

6

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

14:05 Ffos Las

Hellstopatthetop

10st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

0-6 over fences when trained by Keiran Burke and absent since modest third in first-time blinkers (now removed) at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) last September; 7lb lower for this stable debut but others look safer.

12/1

3rd

4

24th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

13:55 Fontwell

Hellstopatthetop

10st 12lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Keiran Burke

didn't always jump with fluency, led, awkward jump 4th, joined 6th, went clear again 8th, headed 13th, soon niggled along

8/1

Form: 383/6F D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
2m hurdle winner (soft); if transferring his ability from that sphere to this, he looks well treated; could have been forgiven for needing his hurdles outing in January after a long layoff but needs confidence restoring after a heavy fall on his chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

11th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:15 Southwell

Man Of Light

10st 11lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

in touch with leaders, mistake 8th

10/1

Form: 3P-34P

Last run: 73 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Second in an Irish point; moderate form over fences and pulled up at Taunton (2m2f, good) latest; not easy to fancy from 3lb out of weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 5

19:00 Exeter

Etincelle Artiste

10st 2lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Fiona Shaw

Second in an Irish point; moderate form over fences and pulled up at Taunton (2m2f, good) latest; not easy to fancy from 3lb out of weights.

28/1

Form: -P8447

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
2m3f hurdle winner (good); best two chase efforts came last spring, including when placed over C&D (good); well treated on that form but not on anything she has shown since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

7th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

16:10 Exeter

Poets Reflection

10st 2lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Linda Blackford

1-34 overall and 0-10 as a chaser; has been in poor form for a while (hurdling most recently) and couldn't entertain from 11lb out of the weights.

66/1

7th

10

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:45 Taunton

Poets Reflection

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Linda Blackford

Sole win (33 races) was on good ground here but in 2021; results over the last year have been pretty grim (latest in first-time cheekpieces) and she's now 6lb out of the handicap; unraced beyond an extended 2m5f.

50/1

Form: 0-758

Last run: 86 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Hasn't shown much in a bumper and three hurdles at up to 2m5f; cheekpieces now added to tongue-tie for chase debut; in good hands and on a workable mark but need to see more from him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

17:05 Ffos Las

Grand Escaparde

10st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Always behind when switched to fences and fitted with cheekpieces for handicap debut at Exeter (2m1f, good) last month; not bred to benefit from today's hike up in trip and clearly needs to take a big step forward but he represents a respected stable and remains very unexposed.

14/1

3rd

10

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

17:05 Ffos Las

Grand Escaparde

10st 7lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Always behind when switched to fences and fitted with cheekpieces for handicap debut at Exeter (2m1f, good) last month; not bred to benefit from today's hike up in trip and clearly needs to take a big step forward but he represents a respected stable and remains very unexposed.

14/1

9th

9

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 5

19:00 Exeter

Grand Escaparde

10st 13lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Hasn't shown much in a bumper and three hurdles at up to 2m5f; cheekpieces now added to tongue-tie for chase debut; in good hands and on a workable mark but need to see more from him.

12/1

Form: P-907P

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Has shown precious little since being third in a Newton Abbot maiden hurdle (2m2f, good) three years ago; pulled up on chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

21st Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

13:15 Wincanton

Mr Sociable

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

prominent, went second 7th, struggling when lost second 11th, weakened 4 out, pulled up 3 out

13/2

8

21st Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

13:15 Wincanton

Mr Sociable

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Chris Down

prominent, went second 7th, struggling when lost second 11th, weakened 4 out, pulled up 3 out

13/2

3rd

14

27th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

15:52 Wincanton

Mr Sociable

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Chris Down

pressed leader early, raced in second after 3rd

16/1

Form: 4/0P27

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
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.
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

Non-runners

Play By The Rules, Pencil, Mawlood

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £32.70
Straight Forecast £50.02
Tricast £436.12
Trifecta £203.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dunstall Rambler

The Times:

Hidalgo Des Bordes

POSTDATA:

Hooky Street

RP RATINGS:

Lustleigh

WEST COUNTRY:

Dunstall Rambler

The Guardian:

Dunstall Rambler

Daily Mail:

Dunstall Rambler

D Express:

Dunstall Rambler

The Star:

Hidalgo Des Bordes

Daily Record:

Hidalgo Des Bordes

Telegraph:

Hooky Street

Daily Mirror:

Lustleigh