October 22 / 15.18 Exeter

15.18

Good To Soft

Happy Retirement Victor And Gerald Dartnall Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £3828.72
  • 2m 1f 109y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
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Happy Retirement Victor And Gerald Dartnall Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £26.00
  • Place: £5.40

Form: 565-PP

Last run: 146 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Modest maiden hurdler who was pulled up on both most recent efforts in May, tried in cheekpieces latest (now removed); hard to make a case for on chase debut from out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:42 Fontwell

Wellwillya

10st 5lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Helen Nelmes

Record of 2-7 over fences and he ran a big race in defeat at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) last month; is also well suited by this track and he should be in the mix again after a short break.

10/1

2nd

10

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Wellwillya

10st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Helen Nelmes

2-6 over fences and was running well when last seen 12 months ago; trip/ground fine and on a competitive mark, while has won after a break in the past.

13/2

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 5-P598 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Three-time hurdle winner in 2023; well handicapped on those efforts but has been out of form this year; makes chase debut with the stable in fine fettle but she comes with risk.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

25th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:12 Uttoxeter

Lady Gwen

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Only fifth of eight on her return to hurdles at Worcester (2m, good) last month, but despite some iffy jumping she was only caught on the run-in; has dropped to a handy mark and could go well; stable also runs Gerard Mentor.

14/1

5th

6

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:20 Worcester

Lady Gwen

11st 3lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Quirky mare who returned from a layoff with a below-par chase run six weeks ago; reverts to hurdling on a tempting mark but others in this field look less risky.

8/1

50/1

  • Place: £14.30

Form: U404P6

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
10-race maiden over hurdles; has failed to build on an encouraging return in September on two starts since, most recently when a 28l sixth of ten at Hereford (2m, good) in first-time cheekpieces (omitted here); makes little appeal on chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

28th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:17 Chepstow

My Mate Polly

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

took keen hold, prominent, lost ground before 4th, midfield 11th

12/1

11

28th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:17 Chepstow

My Mate Polly

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

took keen hold, prominent, lost ground before 4th, midfield 11th

12/1

Form: P0-PP5

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in three of his first four chases but did offer more when fitted with a tongue-tie and finishing a 12l fifth of 11 at Stratford (2m3f, soft) just over two weeks ago; all the same he has a bit to do from 9lb out of the handicap.
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: 4770-7

Last run: 157 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
0-8 over hurdles and failed to show any significant improvement for the switch to fences at Bangor (3m, good to soft) in May; down significantly in trip with blinkers now added, back from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:00 Warwick

John W Creasy

11st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Dual chase winner on slow ground (2m/2m3f) but out of sorts last term and has a lot to prove.

14/1

5th

9

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:42 Ffos Las

John W Creasy

10st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Dual chase winner on slow ground last season (2m/2m3f) but out of sorts this term and has a lot to prove.

40/1

Form: -P5056 C

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Didn't run badly when a respectable sixth of 18 in a 2m handicap hurdle here 12 days ago; reverts to fences off a lower mark but more exposed than most and probably needs more; cheekpieces go on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

Miss Marette

10st 4lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

2m hurdle winner on fast ground; returns to this discipline after being well beaten in several chases; blinkers go on; plenty to prove.

33/1

11

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:35 Newton Abbot

Miss Marette

10st 4lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

2m hurdle winner on fast ground; returns to this discipline after being well beaten in several chases; blinkers go on; plenty to prove.

33/1

5

22nd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:05 Ffos Las

Miss Marette

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Chris Down

1-20 over hurdles and 0-5 as a chaser; refused to race three runs back and tailed off since then on either side of wind surgery.

20/1

Form: /445P- C

Last run: 211 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
2m heavy-ground hurdle winner here in January last year; first two runs over fences were encouraging but form dipped back from a break in February and was last seen pulling up here (2m3f, heavy) in March; chase experience will serve him well but he needs to have been freshened up by the break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

1st Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ffos Las

Moorland Rambler

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Made all to win this race in pretty good style off 3lb lower in 2025 (heavy ground) and returns here after making the frame on both starts this year (2m5f, good to soft/soft); ought to make a bold bid.

3/1

4th

4

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:07 Ludlow

Moorland Rambler

11st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Very up and down; had one of his better days at Exeter last month (2m5f, good to soft) but was behind Shuil Ceoil and wouldn't be certain to back that up.

12/1

Form: 6-3366

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
14-race maiden who continues to slip down the weights; handles most ground but the pick of his form has come over further and others make more obvious appeal for the win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

5th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 5

17:22 Ffos Las

Lelant

11st 6lb

J: Osian Radford

T: Mrs C Williams

Two good-ground wins during the winter but nothing positive to take from his last two races and the weather forecast doesn't bode well.

10/1

8th

4

25th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:30 Hereford

Lelant

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mrs C Williams

Returned from break with good-ground C&D win in October and followed up at Market Rasen (2m5f, good to soft) a few weeks later; struggled on heavy ground at Fontwell in December but has been freshened up again since and Sean Bowen keeps the ride; must be considered.

11/4

1st

6

13th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

15:12 Hereford

Lelant

10st 13lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Well treated on some of his form but it's been a while since he offered an effort of real note; best watched.

7/1

Form: 0437-3

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
A dual hurdle winner for Milton Harris; well beaten on the Flat on first two starts for this stable in June and only made a satisfactory start to his chasing career when a well-held third at Plumpton (2m1f, good; second has won since) last month; has a fitness edge over some and not ruled out with that experience behind him, off 5lb lower.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 5

15:18 Exeter

Cabrakan

12st 0lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Dickin

A dual hurdle winner for Milton Harris; well beaten on the Flat on first two starts for this stable in June and only made a satisfactory start to his chasing career when a well-held third at Plumpton (2m1f, good; second has won since) last month; has a fitness edge over some and not ruled out with that experience behind him, off 5lb lower.

11/2

3rd

4

22nd Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 4

16:20 Plumpton

Cabrakan

10st 13lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Harriet Dickin

Placed over hurdles for Milton Harris last autumn but returned from layoff with two poor Flat runs for new stable in June/July and has too much to prove on this chasing debut.

10/1

6th

4

(7)

27th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Newmarket (July)

Cabrakan

9st 3lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Harriet Dickin

Unraced beyond 1m4f on Flat but has scored over 2m and 2m4f as a hurdler; his significant Flat form was in 2022 and he was tailed off on recent return to Flat for new yard after eight months off; others have more pressing claims.

25/1

Form: 5-598P D

Last run: 61 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Has yet to reach the frame on six starts for this stable, pulled up latest when upped to 3m2f in August; the drop back in trip should suit but makes chase debut with plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

29th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:31 Newton Abbot

Greystoke

10st 2lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Jimmy Frost

Regressive 7yo who was a well-beaten 66-1 shot over C&D (good) last month and is effectively only 2lb lower today.

33/1

12

21st Aug 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Greystoke

10st 4lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Jimmy Frost

Has struggled since joining this stable, including when briefly tried over fences and in cheekpieces, but offered some hope here on heavy ground in April (2m1f); has come a long way down in the weights but returns from a break with enough to prove.

33/1

5th

7

19th Apr 2025

Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:44 Newton Abbot

Greystoke

10st 11lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Jimmy Frost

Consistent and capable under both codes when with Alan King; has yet to reach the frame on seven starts for this stable, trying fences the last time; has a lot to prove right now.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4U64-

Last run: 186 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
2-3 in points but failed to make a serious impact in four runs over hurdles with the pick of those an 11l fourth of nine in a 2m maiden here in April; likely type to improve for this switch to fences on handicap debut with Harry Cobden an interesting booking.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

13th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

18:30 Newton Abbot

Move With The Beat

11st 2lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Multiple point winner who is now on a roll over fences, making it three wins in his last four starts when doing it comfortably at Warwick (2m4f, good); the 4lb rise seems fair and he's clicked with Isabelle Ryder.

9/4

1st

1

23rd Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:02 Warwick

Move With The Beat

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Multiple point winner who has got his act together over fences with two wins since January; the tongue-tie was new when holding on gamely at Wincanton last time (2m4f, good); just 4lb higher.

4/1

1st

1

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:20 Wincanton

Move With The Beat

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Record of 5-8 in points; made his breakthrough under rules when landing a handicap chase at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft) in January but he was well held at Taunton the following month; has bit to prove again after that and he's now 1-7 over regulation fences; tongue-tie added.

9/1

Form: 7PF2-7

Last run: 156 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Held every chance before last-fence fall on chasing debut in March (2m, good) and also ran well when second over C&D the following month, but jumped poorly when well beaten at Stratford when last seen in May; has the form to figure but has tended to need a run back from a break in the past.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £195.90
Straight Forecast £165.74
Tricast £14040.12
Trifecta £3668.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Move With The Beat

WEST COUNTRY:

Dunstall Rambler

Telegraph:

Lady Gwen

POSTDATA:

Cabrakan

RP RATINGS:

Moorland Rambler

The Times:

Move With The Beat

The Guardian:

Move With The Beat

Daily Mail:

Move With The Beat

Daily Mirror:

Move With The Beat

D Express:

Dunstall Rambler

The Star:

Lady Gwen

Daily Record:

Cabrakan