January 10 / 13.35 Exeter

13.35

Heavy

Exeter On Haldon Hill Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £9505.8
  • 3m 0f 54y
  • Class 3
  • 4 runners
RTV
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Exeter On Haldon Hill Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50

Form: F314-2 D BF

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Winner of soft-ground 2m3f maiden and 2m7f novice hurdles; he never seriously threatened on chase debut for new yard at Ffos Las in November (2m3f, soft) but it was still a likeable start and he can improve over this longer trip; first-time tongue-tie fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:53 Newton Abbot

Blackjack Magic

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Well treated on old form but his last win was in November 2023 and he's generally struggled since then; has something to prove and all of his wins have come on good to soft or slower.

12/1

4th

4

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Carlisle

Blackjack Magic

11st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Ran quite well when fifth in valuable final of this veterans' series at Sandown (3m, good) in January but was well beaten there later that month and has become far too inconsistent to support with any confidence; tried in a visor for the first time.

11/2

4th

4

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Blackjack Magic

10st 3lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Proved somewhat resurgent, following several non-completions, in the Veterans' Final over C&D on seasonal debut; however, needs to build on that effort and prove that he's still capable of peak form, on which he's admittedly well treated.

14/1

Form: 84-151 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
3-3 in points; dual hurdle winner on heavy/good to soft; first two chase starts didn't go especially well but she travelled nicely before winning convincingly back over fences at Fontwell last month (3m2f, good) when Freddie Gingell rode without irons late on; up 5lb; has more to give.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Rose Of Arcadia

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has run well on good ground here and won at Sandown (3m, good to soft) in March; reappeared with solid third at Exeter (3m, good to soft) last month and she should be fine with today's test (albeit well beaten 12 months ago); 2lb out of the handicap but not discounted for bang-in-form yard.

11/1

5th

11

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Rose Of Arcadia

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

prominent, outpaced after 3 out, lost fourth approaching last

11/1

6

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

16:28 Exeter

Rose Of Arcadia

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Thorough stayer who gained last season's chasing win at Sandown (3m, good to soft) in March; not quite in same form at Plumpton later that month but has good record when fresh and begins her new campaign on a workable mark; had wind operation in August; good chance.

4/1

Form: /1P-3F

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Smart in bumpers and made winning hurdle/yard debut at Leicester last February (2m4f, soft); just two completions since but was getting into contention on chase debut here on New Year's Day only to take a heavy fall three out; needs to show confidence is unaffected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Anglers Crag

10st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

The final leg of his four-timer for Brian Ellison two winters back was this race off 4lb lower than today; never fired on all cylinders last term but reappeared for new yard in November with a sparkling win, employing new tactics as he made all at Carlisle to come home 9l clear; back up 8lb, so needs to be back at his very best, but he's one for the shortlist.

5/1

5

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:17 Perth

Anglers Crag

11st 5lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Brian Ellison

Has had a patchy campaign and was pulled up in the Midland National last time; however, he showed some spark at Musselburgh (3m7f, good to soft) in February and is just 1lb higher than when winning the Eider at Newcastle (4m1f, heavy) last season; not ruled out now back down in trip/grade.

8/1

5

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:17 Perth

Anglers Crag

11st 5lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Brian Ellison

in rear, outpaced 5 out

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2/4-2P D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 10lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Smart staying hurdler on soft/heavy who missed 2020 and 2021; retained a fair chunk of ability over hurdles and on belated chase debut last spring but was struggling from a long way out before pulled up back over hurdles at Wincanton on Boxing Day; is hard to call after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

10th Jan 2023

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

13:35 Exeter

Eminent Poet

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Smart staying hurdler on soft/heavy who missed 2020 and 2021; retained a fair chunk of ability over hurdles and on belated chase debut last spring but was struggling from a long way out before pulled up back over hurdles at Wincanton on Boxing Day; is hard to call after that.

6/1

5

26th Dec 2022

Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 2

15:13 Wincanton

Eminent Poet

11st 5lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Missed 2020 and 2021; both starts this year (February and May, chase debut last time) showed that plenty of ability remains and he needs a second look, particularly if the ground is heavy, on which he has registered all but one of his eight wins; 7lb claimer is recruited.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.50
Straight Forecast £6.49
Trifecta £10.10

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Blackjack Magic

SPOTLIGHT:

Rose Of Arcadia

The Times:

Blackjack Magic

The Guardian:

Blackjack Magic

Daily Mail:

Blackjack Magic

D Express:

Blackjack Magic

The Sun:

Blackjack Magic

Daily Record:

Blackjack Magic

RP Ratings:

Rose Of Arcadia

POSTDATA:

Rose Of Arcadia

WEST COUNTRY:

Rose Of Arcadia

Telegraph:

Rose Of Arcadia

Daily Mirror:

Rose Of Arcadia

The Star:

Rose Of Arcadia