January 24 / 14.45 Exeter

14.45

Soft

Chudleigh Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 0f 161y
  • Class 5
  • 16 runners
RTV
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Chudleigh Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 22-3P6 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two maiden hurdles towards end of last season (2m1f/2m4f); made very disappointing handicap debut in the autumn but last month's Fontwell sixth (2m5f, good) was more encouraging and he may still have potential; had wind op just before Christmas; drops back in trip here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Dusky Days

11st 8lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

After a break he's been tailed off behind Wee Alki and here on Monday faded into sixth over 2m6f; others preferred.

16/1

6th

2

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:48 Cartmel

Dusky Days

11st 11lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Made all over 2m1f here (good) last July and came second here on next two outings (2m6f/3m1f); probably needed recent reappearance run and has a big role to play if back on song.

5/1

12th

3

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

20:15 Hexham

Dusky Days

11st 8lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Three sound efforts on last three starts last summer (good/soft), winning over 2m1f at Cartmel and finishing creditable second over 3m there on final start; off for 252 days and likely to be better for the run.

12/1

Form: 20335-

Last run: 385 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Placed in two 2m3f Hereford novice hurdles towards end of 2021 but absent since underwhelming handicap debut over that C&D just over a year ago and entitled to benefit from this outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Mojito Royale

10st 12lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

pressed leaders early, prominent from 3rd, pushed along after 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out

50/1

2

5th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

14:45 Ffos Las

Mojito Royale

11st 10lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Placed in two 2m3f Hereford novice hurdles (both on good) in late 2021; however, safely held on handicap debut last January and soon under pressure when pulled up at Fontwell (2m6f) when next seen five weeks ago; wore cheekpieces last five starts but now has tongue-tie and blinkers.

50/1

5

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:15 Fontwell

Mojito Royale

11st 9lb

J: James Best

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

raced lazily, prominent, lost ground after 3rd, towards rear 6th, struggling and reminder with one circuit to go

25/1

Form: 57B9

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Unable to land a significant blow in three maiden/novice hurdles towards end of last year but wasn't beaten far when ninth of 15 at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last time and is open to improvement in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

29th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

18:18 Fontwell

Celtic Fortune

11st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

0-17 under rules and absent since a poor performance in March but came second in consecutive chases during the winter (3m1f/2m7f) and will be favoured by the forecast rain here; contender if back on song.

6/1

3

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

14:20 Wincanton

Celtic Fortune

11st 12lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

in touch with leaders, mistake 3rd

7/2

2nd

6

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

15:05 Huntingdon

Celtic Fortune

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

in rear

5/1

Abandoned

Form: 645-0P

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Ex-French mare who has struggled on all three British starts, the last twice in 2m3f handicaps in the autumn; big leap of faith needed to support her here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

4th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:10 Southwell

Kalpaga

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Tim Vaughan

Posted a win then a near-miss over hurdles last April (2m3f/2m6f, good to soft); unable to match that form over fences this season but she was a fair fourth at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) in December and has had a wind op since being pulled up last time; no surprise if she goes well now back hurdling.

7/1

2

26th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 5

12:27 Wetherby

Kalpaga

11st 12lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Tim Vaughan

Finished 3l fourth in similar event at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) three weeks ago, producing her best effort since switched to chasing; looks favourably weighted on best hurdles form and can't be ruled out.

5/2

Form: 5976-8

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 6yo; made low-key stable debut in recent Huntingdon novice hurdle but makes his handicap debut in a low-grade event here; no surprise if he gets more competitive this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 12y

Class 4

13:45 Taunton

Any Biscuits

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Won twice over hurdles in spring 2023 (2m2f, soft/good) and returned from long absence with good second in October (2m2f, heavy); below form after racing too freely last time (2m3f) but remains one to be interested in and this drop back in trip could be a good move on chasing debut.

7/2

4th

5

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 12y

Class 4

13:45 Taunton

Any Biscuits

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Won twice over hurdles in spring 2023 (2m2f, soft/good) and returned from long absence with good second in October (2m2f, heavy); below form after racing too freely last time (2m3f) but remains one to be interested in and this drop back in trip could be a good move on chasing debut.

7/2

5th

3

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

14:35 Hereford

Any Biscuits

11st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Aided by addition of tongue-tie when winning twice over 2m2f towards end of 2022-23 season (soft/good) and, following a long absence, he ran a big race in defeat at Stratford (2m2f, heavy) last month; may still have more improvement to come; leading contender.

6/4

Abandoned

Form: 4-09F5

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Didn't get far on last month's stable debut but significant positives can be drawn from his fifth of 17 at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft; cheekpieces refitted) on Boxing Day, albeit he was well held in the end; no headgear today; still worth a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

3rd Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:03 Huntingdon

Pak Army

10st 10lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

raced in second, led after 3 out, headed after 2 out, kept on but no match for winner

4/1

2nd

5

3rd Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:03 Huntingdon

Pak Army

10st 10lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

raced in second, led after 3 out, headed after 2 out, kept on but no match for winner

4/1

1

10th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:08 Exeter

Pak Army

12st 0lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Returned to form with emphatic Flat win in May and has been placed over hurdles twice since; just a respectable fourth at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) last month but is 2lb lower here and can cope if the ground softens.

12/1

Form: 40-765

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Now 2lb lower than when winning at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) last winter but hasn't really fired on any of three appearances this season; dropped back in trip with first-time blinkers tried here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 5y

Class 5

14:50 Bangor-on-Dee

After The Fox

10st 8lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Below best over hurdles this season and has made inauspicious start to chasing career this spring; seems versatile regarding ground but is yet to convince stamina-wise over 3m; not the percentage call.

10/1

4

8th Apr 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

14:15 Newton Abbot

After The Fox

10st 11lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Both hurdle wins gained on soft; not at his best this season and finished some way behind Kap Chidley when both made their chasing debuts at Chepstow last month; work to do, therefore.

7/1

5th

10

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:25 Chepstow

After The Fox

11st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Won a soft-ground handicap hurdle here 13 months ago off a 4lb higher mark; hasn't found his best form this season though and now tried his hand over fences.

16/1

Form: 809

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Good-ground point winner in December 2021; well beaten in three 2m novice hurdles this season and needs to take a big step forward on today's handicap but is with a top stable and very unexposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

20th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

16:40 Market Rasen

Yeomen Warder

10st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

soon in rear, hit 4th

14/1

10th

5

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:23 Warwick

Yeomen Warder

11st 4lb

J: David England

T: Dan Skelton

always towards rear

15/2

5

31st Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 5

15:35 Lingfield

Yeomen Warder

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Hard to work up enthusiasm for what he achieved in novice hurdles but he won his only point completion last winter and this modest event could be a ripe plum for picking now he goes handicapping up in trip.

100/30

Form: P27/97

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Ran well for a long way at Warwick (2m3f, soft) on New Year's Eve, his second start after a long absence, but was well beaten in the end; now 0-5 over hurdles; others have more pressing claims.
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

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 066

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Placed on four of his eight Flat starts for Richard Hannon; unable to land a significant blow in three novice hurdles for Neil King but wasn't beaten far over C&D (heavy) this month and the forecast better ground ought to be in his favour on today's handicap hurdle debut; improvement possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(10)

20th May 2023

Good To Soft

1m 3f 197y

Class 5

17:50 Doncaster

Clay

9st 12lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Neil King

took keen hold, disputed lead, raced in second after 1f, shaken up when led under 3f out, ridden when headed 2f out, weakened from over 1f out

14/1

2nd

2

(4)

9th May 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

15:25 Lingfield (AW)

Clay

9st 9lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Neil King

Maiden on Flat for Richard Hannon and over hurdles (modest form) for current yard; runner-up twice over C&D in early 2021 but has seemingly regressed overall; others preferred.

12/1

5th

9

27th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

18:25 Taunton

Clay

10st 7lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Creditable third of 17 in a Doncaster handicap (2m, good) in January but he's not hit the same level in his two runs since and is now 0-14; others are more persuasive.

14/1

Form: 7-9P5

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Struggled on first two hurdling starts but made quite a lot of the running when fifth (well held in the end) at Taunton (2m, soft; first-time blinkers) two weeks ago and is open to further progress in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

8

30th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

16:24 Plumpton

Champagne Mesdames

11st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Struggled on first two hurdling starts but was prominent for a long way and displayed some promise when fifth in first-time blinkers at Taunton (2m, soft) this month; needs to improve again here but has potential.

12/1

5th

2

9th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:30 Taunton

Champagne Mesdames

11st 8lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Perhaps needed the experience on sole bumper run; has achieved nothing in two novice hurdles (2m/2m3f) since but first-time headgear is a possible source of improvement.

25/1

Abandoned

Form: 7/502-

Last run: 561 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Outran 50-1 odds when second to short-priced favourite at Newton Abbot (2m2f, soft) for Chris Down in July 2021 but the value of that form is open to question and today's stable/handicap debut comes after a long absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

17:15 Taunton

Hazy Dream

11st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Joe Tickle

Had looked limited until running away with a C&D handicap two weeks ago on the back of wind surgery (second run in a tongue-tie); that was after an absence of 350 days so this is a quick turnaround, but a 6lb rise should be manageable.

4/1

5th

8

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

17:15 Taunton

Hazy Dream

11st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Joe Tickle

Had looked limited until running away with a C&D handicap two weeks ago on the back of wind surgery (second run in a tongue-tie); that was after an absence of 350 days so this is a quick turnaround, but a 6lb rise should be manageable.

4/1

1st

7

11th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:08 Taunton

Hazy Dream

10st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Joe Tickle

prominent early, raced in last but in touch with leaders after 2nd, headway after 8th, led 2 out, kept on well, ridden out

25/1

Abandoned

Form: 8P-346

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
0-10 over hurdles; seemingly boosted by first-time cheekpieces when placed here (2m2f, good to soft) last month but well below that form on his next two outings; visor given a whirl today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

6th Feb 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

16:50 Taunton

Gyllen

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Kayley Woollacott

in touch with leaders

3/1

1st

12

26th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 4

16:10 Sandown

Gyllen

10st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Kayley Woollacott

Good enough to win a Group 2 on the Flat in France when owned by Godolphin; went 0-12 over hurdles for two previous yards but he's come good for this one with back-to-back Taunton wins (2m3f, good; 3m/good to soft); raised 20lb for those but something has clicked and deeper ground here will be no hardship.

6/1

1st

5

14th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Gyllen

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Kayley Woollacott

Made just a fairly encouraging seasonal/stable debut in October but displayed big jolt of improvement to win easily by 13l here (2m3f, good) a fortnight ago; hiked up 13lb for that and has stamina to prove over new trip today but ought to handle the slower ground and commands respect.

7/2

Abandoned

Form: 6P2225

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
1-21 over hurdles, the win gained in weak selling handicap at Stratford (2m2f, good) in September; creditable second to next-time-out winner at Taunton (2m, good) last month but safely held on soft ground since and conditions are again a worry here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:00 Taunton

Baliyad

10st 6lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Matt Sheppard

Sole hurdle win at 2m2f in September; often competitive in defeat subsequently but has been going through a lean spell this year and was beaten a long way out over 2m4f at Uttoxeter ten days ago; others preferred.

25/1

7th

8

11th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:30 Uttoxeter

Baliyad

10st 8lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Matt Sheppard

Sole win (28 attempts) was in a 2m2f selling handicap last September; had a run of seconds over about 2m before his form dipped behind Maillot Blanc at Hereford (2m3f; soft ground a possible excuse) on penultimate start and fell two out at Wincanton on latest (looked beaten); competitive often enough to be considered.

14/1

16

2nd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

13:30 Wincanton

Baliyad

10st 4lb

J: Mr Ivor Herbert

T: Matt Sheppard

Sole win (27 attempts) was in a 2m2f selling handicap last September; had a run of seconds over about 2m before his form dipped at Hereford (2m3f) on latest start but it's possible that soft ground was against him; stamina has not been proved.

12/1

Abandoned

Form: -7P643

Last run: 61 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Placed for first time over hurdles when 40-1 third of 15 at Taunton (2m3f, good) two months ago, his 12th attempt; competes off same mark here; contender if coping with the slower ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

14th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:40 Newton Abbot

Presgrave

10st 2lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Jimmy Frost

in touch with leaders, bad mistake and nearly lost jockey 2nd, soon towards rear, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

33/1

15

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:55 Taunton

Presgrave

10st 2lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Jimmy Frost

Finished behind fellow maiden Gorcombe Moonshine at Exeter most recently but ran well (40-1 third) over 2m3f here in November and has place claims if back to that form.

16/1

7th

15

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:40 Exeter

Presgrave

10st 2lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Jimmy Frost

Ran well from the front when third at Taunton last November but nothing like as good on only start since, at that track last month; cheekpieces worn in both of those races now left off; 0-18 in career.

20/1

Form: 889-00

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
0-8 over hurdles and 0-20 overall; well beaten on both outings this season and 7lb out of the weights here; can't be recommended.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Lady Ironside

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Carroll Gray

Second at 25-1 in weak novice hurdle at Uttoxeter in February 2023; however, following a long absence she's been pulled up in two handicaps this winter (fences/hurdles) and is now 0-24.

100/1

16

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Lady Ironside

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Carroll Gray

Second at 25-1 in weak novice hurdle at Uttoxeter in February 2023; however, following a long absence she's been pulled up in two handicaps this winter (fences/hurdles) and is now 0-24.

100/1

8

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:15 Taunton

Lady Ironside

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Carroll Gray

in touch with leaders, lost ground when not fluent 5th

50/1

Verdict

Baliyad and Presgrave have claims if judged on their good-ground form, while handicap debutants Yeomen Warder, Celtic Fortune, Any Biscuits and Clay are all open to significant improvement but, in the absence of anything with a strongly compelling profile, it might be worth chancing PAK ARMY. Brian Barr’s 8yo is well handicapped on some of his Irish form and shaped quite well when fifth at Wincanton on Boxing Day. Dusky Days could still have potential and is second choice.[Chris Wilson]