January 24 / 16.30 Exeter

16.30

Soft

racingtv.com Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £2178.4
  • 2m 0f 161y
  • Class 5
  • 14 runners
RTV
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racingtv.com Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 4

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

25th Nov 2023

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 4

13:38 Huntingdon

Beachcomber

11st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo O’Neill

made all, increased tempo before 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden when not fluent last, kept on well run-in, comfortably

5/1

4th

2

10th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 3

12:35 Exeter

Beachcomber

11st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Impressive in a Chepstow bumper (good to soft) before finishing nowhere in the big one at Cheltenham; market weakness suggested his hurdling debut was needed and he was much stronger in the betting at Kempton only for his jockey to lose his irons at the first flight (soon pulled up); hard to leave out of calculations.

7/1

0

4

22nd Oct 2023

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Kempton

Beachcomber

11st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Created good impression when winning Chepstow bumper (good to soft) by 16l in February and shaped with significant promise before fading into fifth on last month's seasonal/hurdle debut at Worcester (2m4f, good to soft); if that recent outing did him good, he might be the answer here.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
Date / Going /
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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12th

5

30th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

12:50 Taunton

Contramar

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Prominent to a point before ending up tailed off in a maiden at Wincanton (soft); Ballee looks the yard's main hope.

50/1

10th

3

29th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

14:54 Wincanton

Contramar

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

£36,000 3yo; fifth foal; half-brother to winners It's Probably Me (bumper/2m3f hurdle) and The Wild Wild Sea (2m4f hurdle); dam unraced half-sister to useful winners Kayf Grace (bumper/2m hurdle) and Missis Potts (2m-2m3f hurdle/chase); entitled to benefit from this debut outing.

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
Date / Going /
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
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Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

16th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:50 Taunton

Diesel Line

11st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

raced in second

13/8

1st

3

12th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

17:00 Exeter

Diesel Line

11st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

prominent

20/1

Form: 3

Last run: 91 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

24th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

14:25 Catterick

Doc McCoy

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Point winner who was placed in all three bumpers and made all on his hurdle and seasonal debut at Huntingdon (2m3f, good to soft) last month; strong claims under penalty for Lambourn trainer with excellent record here.

6/5

1st

3

30th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

13:50 Huntingdon

Doc McCoy

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Three solid efforts in bumpers last season and one formline through last week's Ludlow runner-up Norman Fletcher gives him an edge over Globe Player; likely contender on hurdling debut.

9/4

1st

3

30th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

13:50 Huntingdon

Doc McCoy

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Three solid efforts in bumpers last season and one formline through last week's Ludlow runner-up Norman Fletcher gives him an edge over Globe Player; likely contender on hurdling debut.

9/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
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3rd

2

12th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

14:15 Market Rasen

Endlesspossibility

11st 4lb

J: Cillin Leonard

T: Dr Richard Newland

Well down the field in Wetherby bumper on rules debut in February and has also struggled on both hurdling starts (2m4f/2m); needs to learn to settle much better.

33/1

8th

5

12th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:35 Southwell

Endlesspossibility

11st 6lb

J: Cillin Leonard

T: Dr Richard Newland

took keen hold, held up in rear, jumped right 5th

66/1

3

6th Mar 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:35 Southwell

Endlesspossibility

11st 7lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland

pulled hard, held up in rear, in touch with leaders after 1st, lost ground and dropped to last 7th, soon pulled up

16/1

Form: 2

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
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2nd

4

9th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 0f 209y

Class 3

11:10 Aintree

Goonhilly

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Minor honours in two bumpers on soft; only third when favourite at Uttoxeter (2m4f) on hurdle debut and took a tired fall at Ludlow (2m5f) next time but this drop back in trip looks a positive and he has each-way form claims.

9/2

0

3

9th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 2

15:10 Ludlow

Goonhilly

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Dan Skelton

Ran well in two bumpers but last month's third at Uttoxeter on hurdle debut (2m4f) was probably no more than satisfactory; likely to improve but looks to have a deal to find.

6/1

3rd

5

8th Oct 2023

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:15 Uttoxeter

Goonhilly

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Close second to fairly useful rival on bumper debut for Tom Weston at Hereford (soft) last November and fourth in what looked a good race here on stable debut in March; looks a good prospect for novice hurdles this season.

7/2

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

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Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
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10th

5

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

17:20 Kelso

Go West

11st 9lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

took keen hold, led

11/2

1st

3

9th Mar 2023

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

17:00 Wincanton

Go West

11st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

made all, increased tempo 3f out, pushed along 2f out, ridden and 7 lengths ahead over 1f out, pushed out final 110yds, eased towards finish

9/4

2nd

4

28th Jan 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 5

16:25 Doncaster

Go West

11st 2lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Went close in sole Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) last March and runner-up on bumper debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in November; open to improvement for top trainer and he's a strong candidate.

15/8

Form: 4

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

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3rd

3

17th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

13:35 Doncaster

Inoui Machin

11st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

One of two to pull well clear of the others when winning good-ground course bumper in February and bettered that performance when following up under penalty at Chepstow (good to soft) in April; looks a good prospect for novice hurdles this season.

Evs

1st

1

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

17:35 Chepstow

Inoui Machin

11st 9lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Neil Mulholland

Promising debut behind subsequent winners over C&D (good to soft) and rallied well to win at Doncaster in February (good); the return to a stiff track looks sure to suit but he will do well to win under the penalty.

5/1

1st

3

22nd Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 5

16:45 Doncaster

Inoui Machin

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

prominent

Evs

Form: 5

Last run: 91 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

21st Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:10 Lingfield

Royal Defender

11st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Beat a good horse in his Irish point but opposable on what he has shown under rules, latterly finishing tailed off on his hurdling debut at Ascot when 40-1.

8/1

9th

8

4th Nov 2023

Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 3

14:40 Ascot

Royal Defender

11st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Beat a good horse in his Irish point but opposable on what he showed in two Chepstow bumpers last winter; has had wind surgery.

20/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Horse

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

24th Oct 2023

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

14:10 Hereford

Specialagent McGee

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Tailed off in a bumper in January and on this month's hurdle debut (100-1).

100/1

7th

5

4th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Specialagent McGee

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

held up in rear, no impression from 3 out

40/1

4

13th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:55 Warwick

Specialagent McGee

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Nicky Martin

Abandoned

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

6th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

15:50 Uttoxeter

Townhill

11st 13lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Tom Lacey

Irish point winner in spring 2022; soundly beaten in three novice/maiden hurdles last season (2m-2m3f) but makes his handicap debut in a low-grade event and ought to be suited by the step up in trip; no surprise if he gets more competitive this time.

8/1

7th

12

12th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:35 Southwell

Townhill

11st 6lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Tom Lacey

prominent, pushed along and lost position before 5th

25/1

11th

11

20th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:10 Taunton

Townhill

11st 5lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Tom Lacey

Out of a well-connected dam and was left clear to make winning Irish point debut last March but struggled to make any impact (albeit in good race) on last month's hurdling debut and is probably one for further down the line.

33/1

Abandoned

Form: 8

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

28th Apr 2023

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:45 Chepstow

Key Instinct

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Neil King

Second in her only Irish point; modest form in her second bumper (the first of two runs with tongue tied) but heavy defeats at 250-1 and 200-1 when racing freely in her two novice hurdles.

66/1

5th

5

1st Mar 2023

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

14:10 Wincanton

Key Instinct

10st 9lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

took keen hold, held up in last, headway 3 out, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out

100/1

Form: P

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

21st Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

17:00 Exeter

Midsummer Lass

11st 4lb

J: David Noonan

T: Sue Gardner

No worthwhile form in three bumpers and makes very limited appeal.

100/1

9th

5

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:55 Chepstow

Midsummer Lass

11st 0lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

led narrowly, headed and lost position halfway, dropped to rear and weakening over 6f out

200/1

18th

7

2nd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

16:45 Wincanton

Midsummer Lass

11st 2lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

always towards rear, pushed along early

200/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

6th Oct 2023

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

14:20 Fontwell

West Hill Moth

11st 1lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Seamus Mullins

took keen hold, towards rear, mistake 2nd

100/1

13th

14

11th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

17:05 Huntingdon

West Hill Moth

10st 12lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Seamus Mullins

towards rear, ridden over 3f out

66/1

11th

13

20th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:45 Taunton

West Hill Moth

10st 6lb

J: Daniel Sansom

T: Seamus Mullins

12th foal; closely related to St Leger second The Last Drop and two very useful Flat-racers (one also a useful hurdler), half-brother to two other Flat winners (one very useful); dam fair 7f AW winner; stable has just a fair bumper strike-rate but this newcomer has a striking pedigree.

20/1

Verdict

This bumper may go the way of GOONHILLY who is now with the Skeltons after running such a positive first race at Hereford. Inoui Machin was closing fast on Go West at Chepstow but the latter travelled with the greater purpose throughout that race and he’s feared most. Doc McCoy, Townhill, Royal Defender and Beachcomber are others of interest.[Alistair Jones]