October 30 / 15.30 Newton Abbot

15.30

Heavy

Celebrating David Freeman’s 35 Years Service Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £9849.06
  • 2m 5f 122y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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Celebrating David Freeman’s 35 Years Service Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 33121-

Last run: 194 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Has won two of his three handicaps and the defeat came at the hands of a well-treated stablemate; up 10lb since the latest win at Ayr (3m, soft; won going away) but dropping back to 2m5f shouldn't be too damaging; improving and respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

19

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Catch Him Derry

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Gained a fourth handicap hurdle success when roaring back to form with a clearcut win at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft; Jeriko Du Reponet third) in February; backed that up with a fine third (Jeriko Du Reponet second) of 24 to Doddiethegreat in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft), faring best of those held up; yard is seeking a fourth win in this since 2019.

9/2

5th

19

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Catch Him Derry

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Gained a fourth handicap hurdle success when roaring back to form with a clearcut win at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft; Jeriko Du Reponet third) in February; backed that up with a fine third (Jeriko Du Reponet second) of 24 to Doddiethegreat in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft), faring best of those held up; yard is seeking a fourth win in this since 2019.

9/2

OUR TIP

20/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 370-05

Last run: 139 days

W: 12st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Last three wins have been at about 3m but he returned in good form at about this time last year after joining this yard and there's always a chance that he could rediscover some spark in the new headgear (replacing blinkers); potentially well treated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

Flight Deck

11st 1lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Deborah Cole

Has never tried this sort of trip with heavy ground but it could help; however, pulled up in this race in 2023 on his only visit to Sandown, went off the boil last January-May and although there's been a partial revival since, he needs better to take this warm race; 5lb claimer enlisted.

20/1

5

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

Flight Deck

11st 1lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Deborah Cole

Has never tried this sort of trip with heavy ground but it could help; however, pulled up in this race in 2023 on his only visit to Sandown, went off the boil last January-May and although there's been a partial revival since, he needs better to take this warm race; 5lb claimer enlisted.

20/1

4th

4

29th Nov 2024

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 1

15:05 Newbury

Flight Deck

11st 2lb

J: Chris Ward

T: Deborah Cole

Gradually finding his form this term; now 0-7 for current yard and appears to have the worst chance at the weights in this field but could perform well, having finished 2l third in this race last year.

25/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 22314-

Last run: 214 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
The win had been coming but he was probably flattered to score quite so easily that day at Warwick (3m2f, soft) and an 8lb rise told at Haydock, albeit in a warmer race; back down 2lb for this reappearance but may be vulnerable once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:45 Newton Abbot

Astronomic View

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sue Gardner

Didn't appear to stay 3m5f at Bangor two starts ago but fared little better when pulled up at Exeter last month back at a trip that should have suited; had been in good form prior to those runs and would hold at least place claims if able to rekindle that earlier spark.

10/1

6

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

14:55 Exeter

Astronomic View

11st 9lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

In good form over fences prior to heavy defeat at Bangor where he failed to stay 3m5f; could go well now back down in trip on first hurdle start since December 2024.

16/1

6th

8

25th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

16:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Astronomic View

11st 4lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

0-7 over fences but has been running well, not beaten at all far the last twice in races at about 3m; however, although a 3m2f winner over hurdles, 3m6f appeared too far at Exeter in December.

10/1

Form: F3172- D

Last run: 202 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Maiden winner who doubled his tally in a handicap at Ludlow (2m5f, soft; by 12l) and finished well behind an idling winner last time at Taunton (3m, soft); every chance should he resume where he left off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

16:33 Hereford

Canty Bay

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Last won when scoring by 12l off this mark at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) in February 2024; only one start last term and he finished eighth of 13 on his comeback at Lingfield three weeks ago; that run wasn't devoid of promise, though; could step forward.

10/1

8th

1

19th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

14:20 Lingfield

Canty Bay

12st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Dual hurdle winner in 2023-24 season (2m3f/2m5f); absent since respectable fourth at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) in October 2024 but resumes on a good mark; market may guide.

12/1

4th

3

30th Oct 2024

Heavy

2m 5f 122y

Class 3

15:30 Newton Abbot

Canty Bay

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

prominent, hit 3 out, switched left and went third 2 out, weakening when hit last

13/2

Form: 23421-

Last run: 189 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Consistent last season and deserved his win off 5lb lower at Taunton (2m3f, good) where he saw off a subsequent winner; probably still on a reasonable mark but, although effective on soft, it's questionable whether he wants it heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Bertie Wooster

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Only 1-24, the win coming over this far as a hurdler nearly two years ago; however, twice runner-up over fences this season (2m7f) and capable of going well.

13/2

3rd

1

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 5

14:40 Plumpton

Bertie Wooster

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

0-6 and generally disappointing during first season over fences, signing off with a poor performance in April; returns from six-month break on a good mark, though, and last month's wind op could quite plausibly aid a return to form; cheekpieces (worn for last three runs) discarded.

5/2

Form: 22211- D

Last run: 204 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
On a roll back in the spring at Hereford, winning a maiden by 9l and following up at odds-on when 4-9 for his handicap debut (again on soft); hard to grumble with a 6lb rise; has to be feared.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

El Granjero

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-5 over fences but three times runner-up in this discipline and latest Warwick conqueror (3m5f, good to soft) was completing a hat-trick; likely to run well off an untouched mark.

7/1

2nd

1

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 3

16:48 Warwick

El Granjero

12st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Ran poorly dropped back to 2m4f at Sandown last time but consistent otherwise and has shown clear signs that he's capable of winning a chase; possibly open to improvement at this new trip and one to consider.

7/1

Form: /62PP/

Last run: 590 days

W: 10st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Useful chaser back in the day but absent since pulled up on consecutive appearances in March 2023 and unraced over hurdles since 2019; returns with a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

23rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 2f 208y

Class 4

14:40 Hereford

Golden Whisky

11st 11lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Evan Williams

Useful in his prime but has not been firing on all cylinders since returning from long layoff in the autumn (four runs); continues to slide down the weights but it's probably wise to wait for some encouraging signals from the betting.

9/1

5th

3

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 4

15:08 Exeter

Golden Whisky

11st 9lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Evan Williams

Has dropped a long way in the weights and hasn't been running too badly following an absence without suggesting he's a winner waiting to happen.

10/1

5th

3

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 4

15:08 Exeter

Golden Whisky

11st 9lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Evan Williams

Has dropped a long way in the weights and hasn't been running too badly following an absence without suggesting he's a winner waiting to happen.

10/1

Form: 42317-

Last run: 196 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Stayed on best to edge home over 2m7f at Exeter (heavy) and it wasn't a bad effort on good at Cheltenham last time; probably wants further but conditions will help in that respect; still in same ownership for this reappearance, despite another change of stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Shallow River

11st 12lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Won a 3m handicap hurdle on soft ground at Carlisle in December 2024 but hasn't been out since; looks his stable's second string.

14/1

1st

4

15th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:07 Carlisle

Shallow River

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Tailed off on his stable and seasonal debut at Newton Abbot in October but may have needed the run and a good case can be made on last winter's form, including a win at Exeter (2m7f, heavy) in February; chance.

8/1

1st

4

15th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:07 Carlisle

Shallow River

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Tailed off on his stable and seasonal debut at Newton Abbot in October but may have needed the run and a good case can be made on last winter's form, including a win at Exeter (2m7f, heavy) in February; chance.

8/1

Form: 417-

Last run: 315 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won a 2m4f maiden on soft at Ffos Las and faced much tougher opposition when tailed off under a penalty at Newbury; unexposed handicap debutant who has had wind surgery and is fitted with a tongue-tie today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:44 Exeter

Itseemslikeit

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: David Pipe

Took his form to a new level after being switched to fences following wind surgery, winning his first two races (3m, heavy) before pulling up at Newbury two weeks ago after a bad mistake five out; out-and-out stayer who could resume progress with conditions ideal.

5/2

6

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Itseemslikeit

11st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

2-2 since sent chasing after a wind operation and he was well on top late on at Uttoxeter and Ffos Las (both 3m on heavy); 7lb higher than last time but firmly on the upgrade.

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.00
Straight Forecast £20.28
Tricast £127.01

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Catch Him Derry

TOPSPEED:

Astronomic View

POSTDATA:

Shallow River

The Times:

El Granjero

RP RATINGS:

Flight Deck

Telegraph:

Catch Him Derry

Daily Mail:

Catch Him Derry

Daily Mirror:

Catch Him Derry

The Star:

Catch Him Derry

Daily Record:

El Granjero

WEST COUNTRY:

Astronomic View

The Guardian:

Astronomic View

D Express:

Shallow River

The Sun:

Shallow River