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

20

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Beachcomber

10st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Last win came in 3m Kempton handicap in Christmas of 2024; third to Bill Baxter in this race last year but not at best this season, chasing home a clear winner at Ludlow last time (only two finishers); 7lb lower than last year so don't rule out.

14/1

2nd

6

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

Beachcomber

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Appeared to get his campaign back on track when third over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) and, when a 10l fifth over C&D since, he was softened up by getting competitive a good way out; he doesn't have a convincing profile but his pure ability is respected.

7/1

5th

1

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Beachcomber

12st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Out of form over fences this season but turned things around with creditable third over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m good to soft) last month and it will be interesting to see whether he can build on that performance on this return to chasing.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

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0

3

1st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

14:10 Exeter

Contramar

11st 6lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

With a good stable but was well beaten on his first two hurdling starts (1m7f/2m) and needs the addition of cheekpieces to make a massive difference.

66/1

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

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3

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:45 Uttoxeter

Diesel Line

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Both wins over hurdles have been over C&D, the latest in September off 6lb lower; will have benefited from his recent pipe-opener when fourth at Market Rasen (2m,good) and should run well.

11/2

4th

1

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:33 Market Rasen

Diesel Line

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Dual winner on good ground at Uttoxeter last summer; still in good form when last seen in the autumn and probably still on a workable mark but has fitness to prove after four months off and recent rain reduces his appeal.

7/2

Form: 3

Last run: 91 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

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3

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:00 Newton Abbot

Doc McCoy

11st 11lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Five-time hurdle winner but 0-6 over fences; hasn't had much go his way since scoring in October but he was still in contention when unseating three out over fences last time in a race won by Dunkerque; now 10lb better off with that rival and he should be competitive given a change in fortune; forecast rain is a concern though.

11/8

2

11th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:12 Southwell

Doc McCoy

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Strike-rate of 5-13 over hurdles and he's rated 10lb lower as a chaser (0-5); however, hasn't offered a lot in this discipline and it's over a year since he last went chasing.

8/1

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 3

16:00 Wincanton

Doc McCoy

11st 11lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Strike-rate of 5-12 over hurdles and won easily at Warwick (2m5f, good) before pulling up at Ascot in October; he does have a bit to prove off this mark even if returning in good order.

13/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

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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

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Form & Verdict
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17

27th Apr 2024

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Goonhilly

10st 4lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

0-2 in bumpers and now 0-7 over hurdles, having been turned over at odds-on in two of his last three races; travels well but seems very one paced when it matters.

28/1

17

27th Apr 2024

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Goonhilly

10st 4lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

0-2 in bumpers and now 0-7 over hurdles, having been turned over at odds-on in two of his last three races; travels well but seems very one paced when it matters.

28/1

2nd

3

27th Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

16:00 Wincanton

Goonhilly

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Runner-up three times, latterly in a soft-ground maiden here last month; returns to this level after finishing midfield in the Imperial Cup (lost a shoe); major form claims in the new cheekpieces.

Evs

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
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4th

1

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 2

16:40 Sandown

Go West

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Didn't jump well enough when well beaten in Kempton Grade 2 novice in February last time but had doubled his chasing tally with ready success at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks earlier, and will be dangerous if back in similar form.

7/2

4th

1

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 1

14:25 Kempton

Go West

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

5-9 over jumps; posted a personal best when winning novice handicap at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago, seeing off several challengers from four out; goes well with positive tactics; should be involved again.

11/4

1st

2

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 3

13:25 Musselburgh

Go West

11st 8lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Form dipped last time (unable to lead) but otherwise a largely progressive sort; penultimate effort has been boosted by the winner since; may well rebound, especially if he returns to dominating (all wins from the front); shortlisted.

4/1

Form: 4

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

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2nd

1

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:30 Market Rasen

Inoui Machin

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

took keen hold, prominent, reminder and led after 2nd, not fluent 3rd, faced challenge after 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened from last

9/2

2nd

1

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:30 Market Rasen

Inoui Machin

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

took keen hold, prominent, reminder and led after 2nd, not fluent 3rd, faced challenge after 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened from last

9/2

3rd

2

24th Oct 2024

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

17:05 Ludlow

Inoui Machin

11st 6lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

Peak hurdling RPRs around Hereford and Kempton bode well with another flat right-hander awaiting him; last-time success over 2m5f at the latter venue is the furthest he's gone so far, and dual-purpose pedigree isn't abundant with stayers, but he'd be unfazed by a dryout.

2/1

Form: 5

Last run: 91 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

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2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Royal Defender

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Struggled to cope with heavy ground when upped to 2m5f for recent handicap debut but was placed in a 2m novice on good to soft in the autumn and remains unexposed; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers here.

14/1

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:50 Southwell

Royal Defender

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Struggled to cope with heavy ground when upped to 2m5f for recent handicap debut but was placed in a 2m novice on good to soft in the autumn and remains unexposed; swaps cheekpieces for blinkers here.

14/1

6

25th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

15:20 Exeter

Royal Defender

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Bought for 155,000gns after winning Irish maiden point (3m) in May 2022; his rules form has been patchy but he was a fair third in a Lingfield novice hurdle (2m, good to soft) last November and is open to improvement now up in trip in first-time cheekpieces on handicap debut; watch the betting.

5/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Horse

OR:

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

4

10th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

15:55 Newton Abbot

Townhill

11st 9lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Tom Lacey

Three wins last year, the third coming over C&D (good) in June, when making all; not in the same form since but he's now 1lb below that last winning mark and could bounce back for a yard that was among the winners at Aintree on Saturday.

15/2

6th

4

10th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

15:55 Newton Abbot

Townhill

11st 9lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Tom Lacey

prominent, lost position 3 out, weakened before 2 out

15/2

Abandoned

Form: 8

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
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

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Form & Verdict
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No / Draw
Date / Going /
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Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
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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
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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]