April 08 / 17.10 Newton Abbot

17.10

Heavy

William Hill Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5487.39
  • 2m 0f 167y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
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William Hill Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

25/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.00
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 09F5P7

Last run: 53 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Three Flat wins in Ireland but unplaced in 15 starts over hurdles, the latest four since arriving in Britain; return of blinkers/tongue-strap a conceivable help but others have stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

3rd Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:03 Huntingdon

Pak Army

10st 10lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

raced in second, led after 3 out, headed after 2 out, kept on but no match for winner

4/1

2nd

5

3rd Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:03 Huntingdon

Pak Army

10st 10lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

raced in second, led after 3 out, headed after 2 out, kept on but no match for winner

4/1

1

10th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:08 Exeter

Pak Army

12st 0lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Returned to form with emphatic Flat win in May and has been placed over hurdles twice since; just a respectable fourth at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) last month but is 2lb lower here and can cope if the ground softens.

12/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 4599

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Showed promise on hurdle debut last November but hasn't built on it, especially when beaten 40l on last month's handicap debut; hopes pinned on a tongue-strap offering some help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

11th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

17:10 Taunton

Talimar Pearl

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Runner-up twice over hurdles last spring (2m1f/2m3f) and also at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy) in December, after a break; contender if judged on those exploits but not at best on either start this year and now 0-9.

10/1

5th

3

14th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

16:20 Fontwell

Talimar Pearl

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

took keen hold

12/1

7th

4

4th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

12:58 Hereford

Talimar Pearl

11st 9lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Runner-up in his last three handicaps and was beaten by an improver on his comeback run at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy); up just 1lb and entitled to be sharper all round this time.

6/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 8/86-5

Last run: 291 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Two Flat wins but was running moderately when last seen in the autumn; first start over hurdles for ten months and unplaced in all seven attempts but has shown just enough to make him worth a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(2)

11th Nov 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

19:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Zillion

9st 0lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Sue Gardner

Four turf wins at up 2m on the Flat; now only 1lb higher than for last success (August 2023) but he was tailed off at Bath on his recent return and is 0-12 on AW; down the list.

25/1

8th

7

(2)

11th Nov 2024

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

19:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Zillion

9st 0lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Sue Gardner

dwelt start, in rear

25/1

10th

2

(6)

21st Oct 2024

Heavy

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

14:07 Bath

Zillion

11st 4lb

J: Miss Alice Tregoning

T: Sue Gardner

dwelt start, towards rear

8/1

Form: 463P6

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Better of two handicap attempts when sixth at Taunton last month; may do better but that is certainly needed if he's to figure strongly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:15 Newton Abbot

Coconut Twist

11st 8lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Daisy Hitchins

Won three times in early part of year and was back in good nick when close fourth (hampered close home) over C&D (good) last month but may find others better handicapped in this stronger race; cheekpieces refitted.

16/1

2

29th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

16:50 Newton Abbot

Coconut Twist

11st 12lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Won three times in early part of this year, most recently here (3m2f, good) in April, but seemed to have gone off the boil on last two outings in May/June and current mark demands a career-best performance.

5/1

15

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Uttoxeter

Coconut Twist

10st 5lb

J: Mr Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Ridden by Robbie David on last eight outings; won four of his 15 races last season, with a stack of place returns as well; latest win was off a 5lb lower mark at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in April, followed by a creditable second there but he was pulled up at Southwell five weeks ago; has bounced back before but this is a tough race in which to do it.

16/1

Form: 241442 D

Last run: 4 days

W: 11st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Modest effort two starts ago but quite consistent apart from that, mainly in chases; runner-up on most recent hurdling start, last November, and no reason why he shouldn't figure but has won just one of last 23 starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Lingfield

Shaws Cross

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

Runner-up at Plumpton (2m3f, good to soft) in December and respectable fourth in his last two runs but this 13yo is now 1-24 over fences and that win was over two years ago; down the list.

7/1

4th

11

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:48 Lingfield

Shaws Cross

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

Veteran who scored over hurdles here (heavy) in 2019 and broke a long losing run two years ago over fences at Plumpton; no joy since but, even though he's 2lb out of the weights today, he's regularly shown enough to be given a place chance.

16/1

4th

11

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:48 Lingfield

Shaws Cross

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

Veteran who scored over hurdles here (heavy) in 2019 and broke a long losing run two years ago over fences at Plumpton; no joy since but, even though he's 2lb out of the weights today, he's regularly shown enough to be given a place chance.

16/1

16/1

Form: 5-008P

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in three novices and usual hood missing on last month's handicap debut, when he ran himself into the ground; tends to be too keen even in the aid but might just have the potential for better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

14th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Daany

10st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Joe Tickle

Turned his attention to chasing fairly late in life but made a solid start when second of six at Wincanton in April; didn't back that up when never travelling at Hereford (also 2m, good) nine days ago and has a question to answer after that.

16/1

4

5th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

20:17 Hereford

Daany

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joe Tickle

Four-time hurdle winner, all at around 2m; made a belated switch to fences last month and shaped with plenty of encouragement when runner-up at Wincanton (2m, good), which also represented a return to some form; needs to back that up but he remains well treated and is one to consider.

6/1

2nd

4

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 149y

Class 5

15:27 Wincanton

Daany

10st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Joe Tickle

Three-time Flat winner and successful four times over hurdles; however, hasn't been running all that well under either code following a year on the sidelines and this is a belated first attempt at chasing.

16/1

Form: 9P8-P5

Last run: 69 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
French Flat winner in 2021; little to show for first four starts over hurdles but much better, in a tongue-strap, when fifth at Sedgefield in January; 6lb lower and, while more is needed, isn't ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(2)

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 3f 99y

Class 5

16:20 Windsor

Agent Empire

9st 11lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Oliver Signy

prominent

16/1

7th

10

8th Apr 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:10 Newton Abbot

Agent Empire

10st 3lb

J: James Davies

T: Oliver Signy

towards rear on outer

11/2

5th

11

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

16:20 Sedgefield

Agent Empire

10st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

held up in rear

25/1

20/1

Form: U-3P46

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in two handicap hurdles but they were over 2m5f and he ran well for a long way in the first; just possible that dropping down in trip with a tongue-strap fitted can provoke a more positive display.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

18

8th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:50 Chepstow

Demothi

10st 2lb

J: Angus Cheleda

T: Jimmy Frost

raced wide, midfield, not fluent 5th, lost ground quickly before 3 out

25/1

8th

11

8th Apr 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:10 Newton Abbot

Demothi

10st 2lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Jimmy Frost

prominent on outer, in touch with leaders 3rd

20/1

6th

8

27th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 5

17:00 Wincanton

Demothi

10st 2lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Jimmy Frost

midfield, prominent 6th, pushed along and dropped to rear after 3 out, weakened 2 out

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3-6414 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Back from a break to gain a first hurdling success, at Lingfield in February; two solid efforts have followed, the latest on rare AW Flat outing, and entitled to be firmly involved again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

22nd Feb 2024

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:05 Chelmsford (AW)

Good Time Ahead

9st 3lb

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Won over hurdles in November but no Flat success since July 2018; 5lb lower than when fourth of nine at Wolverhampton (16.5f, Tapeta) in December, but well held in three starts (AW/hurdles) since; others more solid.

20/1

3rd

1

16th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

13:40 Fakenham

Good Time Ahead

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Jim & Suzi Best

midfield, not fluent and lost position 5th, ridden after 4 out, went modest third from 2 out

6/4

7th

5

18th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 5f 66y

Class 6

13:20 Chelmsford (AW)

Good Time Ahead

9st 5lb

T: Jim & Suzi Best

His AW wins were all in 2017; won twice over hurdles in 2023 and penultimate start (Wolverhampton 2m) showed all is not lost on AW, but he ran poorly (14-1; made most) with blinkers reinstated over C&D one week ago behind two of today's rivals; others look a bit more solid.

16/1

Form: -68F4P D

Last run: 26 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

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

8

26th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

17:35 Fontwell

Privatory

10st 4lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Paddy Butler

Won his first two starts over hurdles (one in France) but 0-14 since and very much on the downgrade; addition of a tongue-tie needs to have a dramatic effect.

33/1

8

26th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

17:35 Fontwell

Privatory

10st 4lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Paddy Butler

Won his first two starts over hurdles (one in France) but 0-14 since and very much on the downgrade; addition of a tongue-tie needs to have a dramatic effect.

33/1

12

12th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

15:50 Plumpton

Privatory

10st 13lb

J: Rob Hargreaves

T: Paddy Butler

Became disappointing for Gary Moore last season and was pulled up when 50-1 for recent stable debut at Fontwell (2m1f, good); swaps blinkers for first-time cheekpieces here.

33/1

Form: 3-068

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Third in a bumper but well beaten in three novice hurdles; tailed off at Sandown in February but his tenth at Chepstow last October is better than it looks; interesting on handicap debut off this mark with tongue-strap on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

14

24th Oct 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 125y

14:28 Clonmel

Tik Tok

10st 10lb

J: Miss P Elvin

T: P J Rothwell

Early promise in a Sedgefield bumper when trained by Christian Williams and while he hasn't shone over hurdles so far, he's worth a market check on first start for Philip Rothwell.

20/1

4

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:40 Taunton

Tik Tok

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Christian Williams

held up in rear, mistake 4 out, mistake and struggling 3 out

10/1

7th

9

14th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

17:07 Hereford

Tik Tok

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Soundly beaten in three 2m novice hurdles last season and makes handicap debut after a one-year absence but remains very unexposed and market support will make him of interest.

10/1

Form: 0345

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Maiden; ability on the Flat but yet to sparkle over hurdles; already in trouble when blundering at Chepstow on last month's handicap debut; 4lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

12

29th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

13:25 Hereford

Loudspeaker

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Seamus Mullins

Fair Flat-racer; well beaten over hurdles this month but finished well to lead close home on recent chasing debut at Doncaster (2m, good); effectively 5lb higher here but, given the Flat ability, could still have a bigger run in him over fences.

9/4

1st

9

17th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 78y

Class 5

13:00 Doncaster

Loudspeaker

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Seamus Mullins

Has some fair Flat form on his CV but his record over hurdles is not inspiring and he's not bred for chasing; 1lb out of the weights here; others have much stronger claims.

33/1

8th

14

10th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

Loudspeaker

10st 7lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Seamus Mullins

Has been most competitive on the Flat (stays well) but remains a maiden and achieved nothing in two soft-ground handicap hurdles last season.

33/1

Non-runners

Privatory, Tik Tok

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £56.60
Straight Forecast £54.05
Tricast £413.97
Trifecta £481.50

Selections

RP Ratings:

Good Time Ahead

SPOTLIGHT:

Tik Tok

WEST COUNTRY:

Coconut Twist

POSTDATA:

Privatory

The Times:

Loudspeaker

The Star:

Agent Empire

Daily Record:

Shaw's Cross

D Express:

Zillion

Daily Mail:

Tik Tok

Telegraph:

Good Time Ahead

The Guardian:

Good Time Ahead

Daily Mirror:

Good Time Ahead

The Sun:

Good Time Ahead