February 01 / 13.00 Exeter

13.00

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4488.85
  • 2m 2f 111y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
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Virgin Bet Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.40
  • Place: £3.10

Form: 4-595F

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 5yo who was travelling quite well and looked very much in contention before falling at third-last flight here (2m, heavy) on last month's handicap debut; can't be ruled off off same mark today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 136y

Class 4

15:50 Chepstow

Gingerbred

10st 8lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Carroll Gray

Runner-up twice in December (2m7f and near 3m3f) but right out of form since, way behind Lightonthewing last time; headgear first time.

25/1

OUR TIP

3/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: P-63 BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Very useful on the Flat in his prime; pulled up in Grade 2 juvenile hurdle on last season's stable debut but shaped with significant promise in lesser company on both appearances this winter and ought to have some improvement to come in handicaps; cheekpieces refitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

29th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Pleasant Man

11st 0lb

J: Mr Simon Walker

T: Joey Ramsden

On a losing run and he beat only one in 11.5f Lingfield handicap ten days ago; not ruled out though if back on his A-game.

16/1

7th

2

(4)

19th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 133y

Class 5

14:10 Lingfield

Pleasant Man

9st 9lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Joey Ramsden

Five wins from 43 starts, the most recent at Southwell (1m6f, AW) last January off a mark 10lb higher than today's; bounced back from a disappointing run when fourth of six at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm) 17 days ago and has place claims.

10/1

14/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: 475-13 D

Last run: 89 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Posted career-best performance when winning readily on seasonal debut at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) in October and also ran well when placed at Fontwell (2m3f, soft) the following month; each-way claims at least if returning from 89-day break in similar form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

21st Jul 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

15:35 Newton Abbot

Wavering Down

11st 9lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jeremy Scott

Won here (2m5f, good) in 2022 and returns here after three good efforts this spring (2m4f-3m1f, good); still on a workable mark and enters calculations; seems best on good ground but handles good to soft.

11/2

2nd

10

6th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:18 Uttoxeter

Wavering Down

10st 13lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Hasn't won since October 2022 but plenty of sound placed efforts last season and again when second off this mark at Warwick last month (3m1f, good; fourth has since won over this C&D); contender.

11/4

2nd

7

11th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

19:35 Warwick

Wavering Down

11st 9lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Dual hurdle winner on good ground; placed on both starts last summer (2m7f/2m4f) and returned from break with another good effort last month; could still have untapped potential over this sort of trip and can make his presence felt again.

4/1

Form: 11-U43 C BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Came good over hurdles with two wins (one here) towards end of last season and posted another good effort when placed over fences here (2m3f, heavy) last month; ought to make his presence felt again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

15:30 Newbury

Hititi

12st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Has been racking up the places since completing a hat-trick two years ago, a sure sign that he's high in the weights; however, again ran well at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) last time and finished just ahead of last week's Pertemps Final runner-up Jeriko Du Reponet; raised another 2lb for that but he's very solid.

3/1

2nd

1

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 2

15:33 Exeter

Hititi

12st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Completed a hat-trick in spring 2023 but has been chalking up the seconds since; two of those have been at this track in this race last year and a 3m chase on penultimate start (has worn cheekpieces this term); form dipped at Windsor latest and he's probably vulnerable if back on song for this return to hurdling.

14/1

Form: 432413 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Kept on strongly to win Class 5 handicap over C&D (good to soft) in December and has made the frame on his other five appearances this season but will probably find at least a couple better handicapped today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

16:30 Ludlow

Karakoram

10st 6lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Third over 2m5f in May (good) took his record here to 31823; no trip or ground issues and mark never lower, but poor the last twice.

20/1

Form: -52211 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Course bumper winner who opened account over hurdles in small field at Leicester (1m7f, good to soft) in December and took form to whole new level when bolting up at Ffos Las (2m, soft) three weeks later; another 10lb higher today but must be considered in current mood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:50 Chepstow

Colonial Empire

11st 12lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

Close second of 16 at Taunton (3m, good) in December, after a break, and again ran well in defeat at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in January; more exposed than some of these but still respected.

7/1

Form: 1210-3 C

Last run: 97 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Dual winner in novice company last winter (once here); just a respectable third in Worcester handicap (2m4f, soft) on seasonal debut in October and not seen again since but remains lightly raced.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:50 Taunton

Kingofthewest

11st 10lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

raced in second, fell 3rd

5/2

2nd

4

13th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:10 Lingfield

Kingofthewest

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

prominent, left in third 9th, stayed on run-in, went third towards finish, no match for winner

7/2

Form: 52-255

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Made satisfactory seasonal/handicap debut when second of five at Hereford (2m5f, good to soft) in November but below that form twice since (3m/2m3f); needs help from the first-time cheekpieces here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 4

15:55 Haydock

Bonza Boy

11st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Jeremy Scott

Added to his strong chase record at Exeter with a win over the extended 2m1f there (good to soft) in January; just as good when runner-up over 2m4f on heavy at Wincanton since; bold show likely off the same mark.

9/2

Form: 214-82

Last run: 32 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Made excellent progress last season, winning five times along the way (1m7f-2m1f), and looked back in prime form when second at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in December; probably still on a workable mark; highly respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

17th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 4

16:07 Uttoxeter

Lime Drop

11st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Three chase wins last season, the first two over C&D (good/good to soft); not beaten far when last of six at Cheltenham in April but remains on career-high mark for this reappearance run and takes on some unexposed rivals.

10/1

6th

1

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 62y

Class 3

16:30 Cheltenham

Lime Drop

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Outclassed in a Listed race two runs back but admirably consistent otherwise and a 4lb rise for beating Ostrava Du Berlais at Warwick the last time (2m, good) is more than fair; strong claims.

7/2

6th

1

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 62y

Class 3

16:30 Cheltenham

Lime Drop

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Outclassed in a Listed race two runs back but admirably consistent otherwise and a 4lb rise for beating Ostrava Du Berlais at Warwick the last time (2m, good) is more than fair; strong claims.

7/2

Form: 487-80

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Chase and dual hurdle winner (all on slow ground) when trained in Ireland but signed off for Jim Dreaper with two disappointing efforts in the autumn; needs to have been refreshed by the subsequent regime change.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

7

31st Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 4

16:15 Exeter

Forrard Away

11st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Ryan Chapman

Won two hurdles and a chase in Ireland, the latter in May 2021, but low key over hurdles and fences in Britain over the last 12 months.

33/1

0

1

21st Dec 2023

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

13:25 Exeter

Forrard Away

12st 0lb

J: Mr Martin McIntyre

T: Ryan Chapman

In Ireland he won a chase and two hurdles, all on slow ground; yet to show the same level of form in three starts for current yard.

25/1

Form: 4114-P

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won two juvenile hurdles in summer 2021 (good/good to firm) but, following a long absence, struggled on handicap debut at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in December; not the obvious answer here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

24th Aug 2023

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

18:15 Fontwell

Scrappy Jack

10st 13lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

Continues to operate below the level of his two 2021 Newton Abbot juvenile hurdle wins, mistakes confining him to the rear-division throughout his recent chasing debut (2m4f, good); 5lb drop is not persuasive.

14/1

7th

3

1st Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Worcester

Scrappy Jack

11st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

Both wins in 2m1f hurdles at Newton Abbot in the summer of 2021 but his form since returning from 16 months off last December has been very ordinary; has much to prove now chasing.

28/1

8th

4

14th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:40 Newton Abbot

Scrappy Jack

11st 9lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

held up in rear, ridden after 3 out, no telling impression

16/1

Form: 52-342

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won three times on slow ground last season and returned from layoff with good effort in defeat here (2m, heavy) last month; still on a workable mark and will be fine over this longer trip; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

4th May 2023

Soft

1m 6f 44y

Class 6

16:55 Salisbury

Global Agreement

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Milton Harris

Runner-up over hurdles in January but out of form in his five starts since, including on first Flat run since 2020; 0-12 overall on Flat.

25/1

13

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:00 Hexham

Global Agreement

11st 4lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Milton Harris

Not been in the best of form on the Flat and over hurdles recently; has won on heavy but this forecast better ground suits and could bounce back; tongue-tie now tried.

16/1

7th

4

(6)

7th Apr 2023

Soft

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

14:50 Bath

Global Agreement

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Milton Harris

Well beaten over hurdles on his last three starts; however, perhaps this first run on the Flat since 2020 will trigger a revival and he ran well over jumps as recently as January (on heavy ground); not discounted.

12/1

Form: /7611-

Last run: 424 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Smart on the Flat in France a few years ago and got his act together over hurdles in Britain with two 2m handicap wins in late 2021; remains open to significant further progress in this sphere but has fitness to prove after 424-day absence; market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

14th Apr 2024

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

16:25 Plumpton

Naturally High

11st 6lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Paddy Butler

held up in rear

16/1

6

14th Apr 2024

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

16:25 Plumpton

Naturally High

11st 6lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Paddy Butler

held up in rear

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £60.30
Straight Forecast £45.82
Tricast £522.16
Trifecta £645.30

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Pleasant Man

SPOTLIGHT:

Lime Drop

The Guardian:

Gingerbred

Telegraph:

Colonial Empire

POSTDATA:

Hititi

RP Ratings:

Global Agreement

The Star:

Naturally High

The Times:

Pleasant Man

Daily Mail:

Pleasant Man

D Express:

Pleasant Man

Daily Record:

Pleasant Man

TOPSPEED:

Lime Drop

Daily Mirror:

Lime Drop

The Sun:

Lime Drop