February 01 / 14.45 Exeter

14.45

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 3f 48y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 44-3F7

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 8lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Maiden after ten starts; creditable third on her chasing debut at Worcester in October, despite jumping right; fell at the first next time (favourite) and beaten 30l at Hereford (2m5f, soft) on latest, so has a big question to answer despite edging down the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

22nd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

15:27 Bangor-on-Dee

Lazy Sunday

11st 12lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

All three chase wins in 2023, at 2m3f-2m5f (good and good to soft) so is on a losing run but she's been in good form on soft over the winter and the return to good ground will be appreciated; in the mix.

6/1

2nd

3

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

14:05 Leicester

Lazy Sunday

11st 13lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

disputed lead, pressed leader before 8th, raced in second before 4 out, no chance with winner run-in

5/2

7/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 425/43

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Two runs for new yard (tried pointing last season) and back to her best form when third of ten in a mares' novice hurdle at Warwick (2m5f, soft) on latest; needs to improve on that on today's chase debut under rules.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

23rd Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 2

15:00 Warwick

Lagonda

10st 12lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Venetia Williams

Blinkers are turned to after finishing tailed off a month ago and her previous thirds were no great advertisement for her prospects here; probably wants softer ground as well.

33/1

3rd

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:22 Wincanton

Lagonda

11st 5lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Venetia Williams

Third in a quite valuable Hereford mares' chase (3m1f, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in December and also ran well when filling same position in Bangor marathon (3m5f, soft) last month; might not be ideally suited by the quicker ground here but still respected.

9/4

3rd

7

25th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

16:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Lagonda

11st 7lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Venetia Williams

Third over 3m1f at Hereford last time (soft; first-time cheekpieces), making the frame in that handicap for the second successive season; consistent but perhaps doesn't win as often as she should (1-15 over fences and runner-up five times); unraced beyond about 3m1f.

12/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 2F-33P

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
0-17 under rules and he's made two backward steps since a creditable reappearance in October; down the weights and his step back up in trip should be fine if he's back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

27th Jun 2023

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

19:00 Newton Abbot

Eros

10st 11lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

Frustrating performer; 0-15 over fences (placed in nine of them) and pulled up when tried in cheekpieces on latest; first hurdle start since March 2021 and hard to be confident this will be his golden hour.

20/1

8

17th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Worcester

Eros

11st 4lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

Longstanding maiden who was disappointing at Exeter last month and it's hard to be confident after that; however, he went there on the back of two good seconds (2m4f/2m, good/soft) and it's possible he'll be able to bounce back in first-time cheekpieces and a reapplied tongue-tie; not written off.

10/1

Form: 55-3U3

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Sole win (17 races) was over 3m2f on good to soft at Taunton in December 2021; running creditably this season (3m/3m2f) but the step back down in trip asks a big question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

24th Apr 2024

Good

3m 2f 57y

Class 4

17:50 Taunton

Kingsmill Gin

10st 5lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jackie Du Plessis

Defied a similar mark in good fashion at Exeter 13 months ago (3m, good to soft; only four runs back); ran well for a long way on reappearance but was tired when pulled up again on heavy ground at Exeter 17 days ago; under these less demanding conditions she should go well if as good as she was.

8/1

5th

8

24th Apr 2024

Good

3m 2f 57y

Class 4

17:50 Taunton

Kingsmill Gin

10st 5lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jackie Du Plessis

Defied a similar mark in good fashion at Exeter 13 months ago (3m, good to soft; only four runs back); ran well for a long way on reappearance but was tired when pulled up again on heavy ground at Exeter 17 days ago; under these less demanding conditions she should go well if as good as she was.

8/1

8

7th Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:45 Exeter

Kingsmill Gin

10st 10lb

J: James Best

T: Jackie Du Plessis

Returned to form with 6l C&D (good to soft) win just under a year ago and put in good front-running shift when fifth on heavy ground here on seasonal reappearance in January; one to consider.

8/1

Form: 2P-382 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Won this race last year by 13l off 5lb lower; back down in trip and back near that form when second at Ludlow (2m4f) six weeks ago on latest start, so he is back in serious calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

16:18 Chepstow

Judex Lefou

10st 8lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Gave good account when second off today's mark at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft) in December and both runs this year have been very respectable but his career strike-rate is just 1-28, and he may better suited by right-handed tracks.

5/1

3rd

2

15th Feb 2023

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

16:10 Hereford

Judex Lefou

11st 7lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Exeter winner a year ago but only fifth when attempting to land the same race recently; still 5lb above the winning mark and career record stands at 1-27; others preferred.

7/1

5th

6

1st Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 4

14:45 Exeter

Judex Lefou

10st 9lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Won this race last year by 13l off 5lb lower; back down in trip and back near that form when second at Ludlow (2m4f) six weeks ago on latest start, so he is back in serious calculations.

11/4

Form: /P455/ D

Last run: 698 days

W: 12st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Last won in February 2019, lightly raced and right out of form in his next two seasons; well held in two small-field points last March/April; way down the weights but it's hard to know whether enough ability remains.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

28th May 2023

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 4

14:40 Fontwell

Not Another Muddle

10st 12lb

J: Jamie Moore

T: Gary Moore

Still capable of running reasonably well, as he did at Plumpton latest, but it's more than four years since he won; may be vulnerable again.

7/2

3rd

5

14th May 2023

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

14:45 Plumpton

Not Another Muddle

11st 0lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary Moore

in touch with leaders, ridden after 3 out, briefly went third before 2 out, went third again run-in, not pace to challenge

9/2

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2023

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

14:00 Plumpton

Not Another Muddle

12st 0lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary Moore

Long in the tooth now and no longer the force of old but was placed in a good-quality Kempton handicap (2m4f, good) in February and also ran well when second here (2m1f, soft) a fortnight ago; sure to appreciate today's significant drop in class; major player.

13/8

Form: 48U64-

Last run: 474 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Debut for Dr Newland when winning by 9l at Worcester (2m, good; 2lb lower today ) in May 2021 but out of form afterwards; has separately tried tongue-tie, cheekpieces and blinkers among last four starts; absent 474 days; new trainer had a back-to-form chase winner at turn of the year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:18 Newton Abbot

Blue Ribbon

10st 11lb

J: David Noonan

T: Ryan Chapman

Winning hurdler; no wins in 11 over fences and hard to make a compelling case; finished last of the four to complete here three weeks ago.

10/1

4th

7

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:18 Newton Abbot

Blue Ribbon

10st 11lb

J: David Noonan

T: Ryan Chapman

Winning hurdler; no wins in 11 over fences and hard to make a compelling case; finished last of the four to complete here three weeks ago.

10/1

4th

5

7th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Blue Ribbon

10st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: Ryan Chapman

prominent, outpaced before 2 out, weakened last

10/1

Form: 143-8P D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Has sparked only twice in the last two years, when winning at Chepstow (extended 2m3f, heavy) early in 2021 and 2022; this season has seen him tailed off at Chepstow and pulled up at Ffos Las; now 3lb below his last winning mark and the betting was a very good pointer to last season's win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

1st Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 4

14:45 Exeter

Destin Dajonc

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Has sparked only twice in the last two years, when winning at Chepstow (extended 2m3f, heavy) early in 2021 and 2022; this season has seen him tailed off at Chepstow and pulled up at Ffos Las; now 3lb below his last winning mark and the betting was a very good pointer to last season's win.

20/1

1

5th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 199y

Class 4

14:00 Ffos Las

Destin Dajonc

12st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Has sparked only twice in the last two years, when winning at Chepstow (extended 2m3f, heavy) early in 2021 and 2022; tailed off back at Chepstow on his return last month; back to 1lb above his last winning mark and the betting was a very good guide to last season's win.

6/1

9

31st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Warwick

Destin Dajonc

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Won off 1lb lower at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) in January but he's not matched that form in only three runs since and was tailed off back at Chepstow on his return this month; has something to prove and he needs to get back on track.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 11/3-5 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles (2m3f/3m2f) in March 2021 in his first two handicap starts; off 580 days before beaten 20l on chase debut in December; competitive if he returns to his best and hopefully he will have come on since that latest run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 5

19:37 Chepstow

Windance

11st 12lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Martin Sweetland

Landed back-to-back Fontwell and Wincanton staying handicap chases three years ago (good to soft); blameless exit behind Stumps Or Slips latest (hampered) but capable of throwing in his own errors or jumping right; form of this year's completed efforts falls well short of the required.

33/1

9

7th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

17:10 Exeter

Windance

11st 12lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Martin Sweetland

Four wins under rules divided between hurdles and fences but at an ordinary level; 66-1 when tailed off behind Macklin here last month.

66/1

5th

11

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:13 Exeter

Windance

11st 12lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Martin Sweetland

Dual handicap winner in 2023 but last year's point/hunter chase form was uninspiring and he was a long way behind Crawter when reappearing in a Larkhill point this month.

50/1

Form: 6354-P CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 6lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Three C&D wins, the latest in March 2020; also scored at Ffos Las (3m) in May 2021 but went off the boil last winter and pulled up when reappearing at Ffos Las (heavy) four weeks ago; well down the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

20th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

13:50 Exeter

Tudors Treasure

10st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Robert Stephens

Three-time course winner who was runner-up at Chepstow in February but he struggled otherwise last season (including here) and this 12yo is 6lb out of the handicap today.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £40.50
Straight Forecast £41.57
Tricast £223.03
Trifecta £243.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Judex Lefou

WEST COUNTRY:

Windance

The Times:

Lagonda

D Express:

Not Another Muddle

Telegraph:

Lagonda

Daily Mirror:

Windance

The Star:

Windance

RP Ratings:

Judex Lefou

POSTDATA:

Judex Lefou

The Guardian:

Judex Lefou

Daily Mail:

Judex Lefou

The Sun:

Judex Lefou

Daily Record:

Judex Lefou