October 10 / 17.18 Exeter

17.18

Good

Haldon Hill Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 2f 111y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Haldon Hill Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

4/7 (Won)

  • Win: £1.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 0P0-41 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Out of form for Adam West in early part of this year but, following a break, won easily on stable debut at Southwell (2m4f, good) a week ago; slower ground won't bother him, and he's 4lb well in under his 7lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 3

18:50 Stratford

In The Air

11st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Won five over hurdles for previous yards and three over fences last term for current trainer; may have needed the run when seventh of eight finishers at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last month after six-month layoff but probably needs to come down the weights.

6/1

7th

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

14:15 Chepstow

In The Air

11st 10lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alastair Ralph

Five-time hurdle winner who did well over fences in the second half of last year, with three wins and two seconds; returns after six months off but he's only 2lb higher than for his last success and he has won when fresh in the past; needs close look back over hurdles.

8/1

6

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

14:10 Chepstow

In The Air

10st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Record of 2-8 over fences, with both wins gained this summer in small-field handicaps on good ground; put in his place by an improver in a novice last time; dangerous if allowed to dominate (front runs).

7/4

33/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 7661-8 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Seven-time hurdle winner, most recently in this race on good to firm ground a year ago; only 2lb higher today but recent Flat/hurdle form has been underwhelming and he'd prefer the rain to stay away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

15:50 Newton Abbot

Thahab Ifraj

11st 6lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Alexandra Dunn

Veteran with modest strike-rate in recent years; only beaten about 1l when fourth of seven here (2m1f, good) last month, after a break, and remains on a good mark but younger rivals appeal more all the same.

9/1

4th

6

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:57 Newton Abbot

Thahab Ifraj

11st 7lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: Alexandra Dunn

Seven-time hurdle winner; produced his best effort last season when narrowly denied at Exeter (2m2f, good) in October, but was well beaten next time and was pulled up in November on his final start; returns from 224 days off with something to prove.

14/1

2

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

12:20 Huntingdon

Thahab Ifraj

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Alexandra Dunn

pressed leader, pushed along briefly after 5th, lost ground quickly and reminders before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out

8/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: F-83U4 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Lost his way after last November's commendable Haldon Gold Cup third over fences here (2m1f, good to soft) but has made the frame in his last two hurdle races (2m1f/2m5f) and ought to be very competitive again today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 3

15:40 Plumpton

War Lord

11st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Very useful chaser in his prime but last month's hurdling win at Fontwell (2m5f, good) came off a hugely reduced handicap mark and it's not easy to predict whether his revival will gather momentum.

4/1

1st

2

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

17:20 Fontwell

War Lord

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has been through a quiet spell but he ran respectably when fourth at Worcester (2m4f, good; tongue-tie refitted) last time; likely to need more.

13/2

6

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Worcester

War Lord

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Very useful chaser in his prime but this year's efforts, in three hurdles and a chase, make him tough to recommend.

14/1

Form: 1840-2 C

Last run: 154 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won twice here last November (2m, good to soft) and was back in good form when second at Stratford (2m, good) in May; current mark demands a career-best effort but she has each-way claims if ready to roll after her break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

17:40 Exeter

Asian Spice

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Jimmy Frost

Three of her four wins have come here on good or good to soft, including over this trip; well treated on her form of late 2024; has been well below that level since over both hurdles and fences; back down in grade for this return to hurdles but there's a bit to prove at present.

9/1

6

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 150y

Class 4

14:51 Taunton

Asian Spice

11st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Jimmy Frost

Won twice over hurdles towards the end of 2024 but has lost her way since and things have not gone well in two chase runs (tailed off/unseated) this winter; has something to prove and she's never won over this far.

25/1

6th

9

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:02 Warwick

Asian Spice

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Jimmy Frost

4-15 over hurdles; absent since modest fourth of seven in low-grade Newton Abbot handicap (2mf, good) in May, though, and set a tough assignment on this chasing debut; cheekpieces removed after one use.

33/1

Form: 54PP-P D

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in two chases towards end of last season and also looked out of sorts when back over hurdles six weeks ago; needs to turn a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 118y

Class 3

13:15 Ascot

Hardy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Visored last three starts and staged a revival on last two, winning well in seven-runner race at Market Rasen (extended 2m7f) 11 days ago; back up 5lb but he used to be capable of a bit better still.

9/1

5

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Hardy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Was out of form but off a reduced mark he pushed a progressive winner close at Wincanton 19 days ago (3m, good to soft); strong claims if he can build on that.

7/2

1st

5

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Hardy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Was out of form but off a reduced mark he pushed a progressive winner close at Wincanton 19 days ago (3m, good to soft); strong claims if he can build on that.

7/2

Form: P-4578 D

Last run: 65 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
3-32 over hurdles when trained in Ireland but well below best form there this year; didn't run badly off his lowly Flat mark on last month's stable debut but others in this line-up have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

23rd Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Bigz Belief

10st 4lb

J: Tpr Elizabeth Feakes

T: Fergal O’Brien

Best of three hurdle runs for new stable this season when second of five in soft-ground Leicester seller (2m4f) in December; reverts to this code after going close off his basement Flat mark three weeks ago but others have more compelling claims; first ride under rules for Elizabeth Feakes.

6/1

2nd

8

(2)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bigz Belief

8st 10lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Fergal O’Brien

This season's hurdling form for Fergal O'Brien was uninspiring and he was safely held when fourth in C&D classified race on Flat return in January; difficult to enthuse over.

14/1

4th

1

(6)

26th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bigz Belief

9st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Triple hurdle winner but his last success was in 2023 and he was well held at Taunton last Saturday; now returns to the Flat for the first time in 16 months and he's 1-24 in this sphere; opposable.

12/1

Form: -11337 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Newton Abbot specialist who looked as good as ever when winning twice there on good ground in the spring; not quite at same level lately, though, and the forecast rain is not ideal here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:57 Newton Abbot

Clearance

12st 0lb

J: Mr Zac Baker

T: Michael Blake

Six-time course winner, all on good ground (2m1f-2m2f); left behind a couple of poor efforts earlier in the year when a respectable fourth over 2m5f here in May but refused to line up when withdrawn here three weeks ago; well handicapped on old form and hard to dismiss if in the mood.

6/1

7

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:05 Newton Abbot

Clearance

10st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Michael Blake

Six-time course winner on good ground (2m1f-2m2f); woeful in two starts away from this track in the spring but he'd dropped to a dangerous mark when a respectable fourth here (about 2m5f, good; winner's won since) last month; will appreciate a strong gallop on this drop back in trip and can rarely be ruled out here.

10/1

7

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:05 Newton Abbot

Clearance

10st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Michael Blake

Six-time course winner on good ground (2m1f-2m2f); woeful in two starts away from this track in the spring but he'd dropped to a dangerous mark when a respectable fourth here (about 2m5f, good; winner's won since) last month; will appreciate a strong gallop on this drop back in trip and can rarely be ruled out here.

10/1

10/1

Form: 4P913-

Last run: 167 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 5yo who displayed improvement to win in first-time cheekpieces at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) in April, his second handicap, and was placed off today's mark at Perth (2m4f, soft) later that month; has fitness to prove after 167-day absence but could have more to offer this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:52 Worcester

Gustoso

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Won well at Hereford (3m1f) last December; absent since creditable second at Huntingdon in February; has a modest record when fresh but market support should be noted.

7/1

5

20th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 4

14:45 Huntingdon

Gustoso

11st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Won here last April and registered his second handicap win when comfortably in front at Hereford (3m2f, good to soft) in December; the latter was his first attempt at this sort of trip but he flopped when 7-4 favourite at Wincanton five weeks ago; major player if bouncing straight back.

7/2

12

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:10 Wincanton

Gustoso

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

visibility reduced by fog

6/1

Non-runners

Climate Precedent

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.20
Straight Forecast £8.85
Tricast £19.76
Trifecta £24.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

In The Air

TOPSPEED:

Gustoso

The Times:

War Lord

RP RATINGS:

In The Air

POSTDATA:

In The Air

LAMBOURN:

In The Air

Telegraph:

In The Air

The Guardian:

In The Air

Daily Mail:

In The Air

D Express:

In The Air

Daily Mirror:

In The Air

The Sun:

In The Air

The Star:

In The Air

Daily Record:

In The Air