March 10 / 15.35 Exeter

15.35

Good

Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5809.1
  • 2m 0f 161y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 12 D

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won sole start in Irish points and beat a subsequent winner on British/hurdling debut in November; just denied at Leicester the following month and now makes handicap debut off what looks a fair mark; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Red Dirt Road

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

He can have his off days but he's 4-12 over hurdles and he ran well to be fourth in a Pertemps qualifier over C&D before dropping out in the final furlong after racing up with the pace; he was always likely to prove a sitting duck when it mattered at Cheltenham and better can be expected here.

15/2

19th

9

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Red Dirt Road

10st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Two wins last winter, latterly at Sandown (extended 2m7f, heavy; by 8l making all); pulled up on next two starts, with 322 days off in between, but fourth in the Haydock qualifier last month was a big step back in the right direction; now needs to make another but he's only 1lb higher than at Sandown.

33/1

4th

4

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

15:50 Haydock

Red Dirt Road

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Low-mileage 9yo; won at Aintree (soft) and Sandown (heavy; made all for an 8l verdict) last winter but pulled up at Uttoxeter on final start and suffered a similar fate on his Sandown reappearance a fortnight ago; needs to have come on a lot in a short time.

14/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: P-17P2 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Two French hurdle wins and easily the pick of three efforts in Britain when second at Ffos Las a month ago, when seeming to find 2m4f just too far; repeat of that puts him in the reckoning, at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Issam

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Tom Symonds

Seemed a non-stayer over 3m on penultimate start; readily justified favouritism at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft) latest, taking chase record to 3-6 and overall strike-rate to 9-25; largely progressive and a useful 3lb is claimed with Callum Pritchard back on board; one to consider.

8/1

1st

3

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:07 Kempton

Issam

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tom Symonds

Out of the money over 3m at Ascot last time, seeming a non-stayer; solid record otherwise since switched to fences, winning twice and posting two sound efforts; may have more to offer back down in trip; not ruled out.

9/2

6th

2

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

Issam

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tom Symonds

Overall strike-rate is 8-23; solid set of form figures (1213) since switch to fences, keeping on for creditable effort at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) most recently; should be thereabouts provided he stays this new trip.

9/1

Form: 722P13 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Consistent hurdler and followed his game Uttoxeter win with a close third at Warwick (goes well there); remains on a fair mark and should run well but others in this line-up are less exposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

16:30 Newton Abbot

Opening Bid

12st 1lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Chris Down

Multiple winner over hurdles and fences; went down narrowly after a break at Uttoxeter (2m5f, good) and he's hard to knock, other than the handicapper knowing all about him.

13/2

1st

1

14th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

16:30 Newton Abbot

Opening Bid

12st 1lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Chris Down

Multiple winner over hurdles and fences; went down narrowly after a break at Uttoxeter (2m5f, good) and he's hard to knock, other than the handicapper knowing all about him.

13/2

2nd

1

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:45 Uttoxeter

Opening Bid

11st 12lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

led, headed 3 out, hit 2 out, kept on well

8/1

Form: 411-2P D BF

Last run: 40 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
His Wincanton second in December reads very well but problems at Southwell the following month (2m4f+), when he lost his action; best forgiven that mishap and the earlier effort makes him very interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Shallow River

11st 12lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Won a 3m handicap hurdle on soft ground at Carlisle in December 2024 but hasn't been out since; looks his stable's second string.

14/1

1st

4

15th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:07 Carlisle

Shallow River

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Tailed off on his stable and seasonal debut at Newton Abbot in October but may have needed the run and a good case can be made on last winter's form, including a win at Exeter (2m7f, heavy) in February; chance.

8/1

1st

4

15th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:07 Carlisle

Shallow River

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Tailed off on his stable and seasonal debut at Newton Abbot in October but may have needed the run and a good case can be made on last winter's form, including a win at Exeter (2m7f, heavy) in February; chance.

8/1

Form: 531324

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Four creditable efforts since arriving in Britain; close second at Hereford on handicap debut and not disgraced at Sandown last month; may need a shade more to win this but entitled to consideration.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Jilaijone

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: David Pipe

Just one win from his last 18 starts but that came by a wide margin over C&D (good to soft) in January and he ran another big race when fourth of 17 at Ascot (2m7f, good) last time; every chance he'll be thereabouts.

10/1

3

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 118y

Class 3

13:15 Ascot

Jilaijone

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: David Pipe

Had to wait over two years for his second win but when it came at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago it was by a huge margin; back up 8lb and that's the furthest he's been, but now the possibility arises that he'll be interesting at this trip as well.

10/1

Form: 815/PP D

Last run: 73 days

W: 12st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Has been pulled up in both starts this season after a long absence (too free in the first, soft ground reportedly unsuitable in the second); may yet return to form but obvious risks until he gives more positive signs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

11th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:10 Ludlow

Paros

11st 12lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland

jumped right throughout, took keen hold, led, headed 3 out, weakened quickly before 2 out

10/1

3rd

3

1st Sep 2023

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

15:38 Fontwell

Paros

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland

raced in third and jumped slightly right throughout, not fluent 1st, weakened after 2 out

4/1

2

16th Jul 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:30 Perth

Paros

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland

didn't jump well, led, headed before 2 out, weakening when fell last

6/5

Form: 51-646 D BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Only 3lb higher than when scoring in comfortable style last April but hasn't found top form in three outings this season; both wins on good but reportedly unsuited by it when beaten favourite at Catterick last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

25th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:30 Newton Abbot

American Gerry

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Hughie Morrison

This was the trip for his Taunton win in April (good) and he might have even surpassed that form with his recent seconds over C&D; has the same mark as last time and should have a big say.

9/2

2nd

3

5th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:40 Newton Abbot

American Gerry

11st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Hughie Morrison

Good second over C&D 16 days ago ridden by Freddie Gingell, keeping on well; could prove vulnerable for the win back up 3lb but with his chase experience he's likely to be thereabouts.

5/2

2nd

7

20th May 2024

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:43 Newton Abbot

American Gerry

11st 8lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Hughie Morrison

midfield

9/1

Form: 674

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Lost his way on the Flat last year and yet to be placed after three attempts over hurdles (long way behind Red Dirt Road in the second of them); better when fourth at Ffos Las latest and could be a different proposition now handicapping off 110 (recorded RPR of 92 at his peak on the Flat).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Kempton

Thunderclap

12st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

Only 4lb higher than when a convincing winner of this race last year (on soft) and ran as though his run 15 days ago would bring him on; couldn't discount.

8/1

5th

1

7th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Kempton

Thunderclap

12st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

Only 4lb higher than when a convincing winner of this race last year (on soft) and ran as though his run 15 days ago would bring him on; couldn't discount.

8/1

6th

3

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

13:55 Huntingdon

Thunderclap

11st 9lb

J: David Bass

T: Hughie Morrison

towards rear

10/1

Non-runners

American Gerry, Thunderclap

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.80
Straight Forecast £9.64
Tricast £33.30
Trifecta £32.30

Selections

RP Ratings:

Red Dirt Road

TOPSPEED:

Issam

POSTDATA:

Jilaijone

SPOTLIGHT:

Shallow River

WEST COUNTRY:

Red Dirt Road

The Times:

Red Dirt Road

Telegraph:

Red Dirt Road

The Guardian:

Red Dirt Road

Daily Mail:

Red Dirt Road

D Express:

Red Dirt Road

Daily Mirror:

Red Dirt Road

The Sun:

Red Dirt Road

Daily Record:

Red Dirt Road

The Star:

Issam