April 11 / 15.15 Exeter

15.15

Good To Soft

NAF Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 3m 0f 54y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
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NAF Handicap Chase

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.90
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 3U3457

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Has only won once and she needs to sharpen up her act after below-par runs over hurdles and fences here on her last two starts; others preferred.
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

11/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 516411 C

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Left it late to try staying trips but is now 2-2 over 2m7f+ after narrow wins at Ffos Las (good) and Taunton (heavy); raised 12lb in the process but only seems to do enough and he might well cope with that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

16:20 Exeter

Haldon Hill

11st 7lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Won two in a row (good/heavy) prior to finishing second in this last year (good to soft); he's 5lb lower than 12 months ago and is one to watch in the betting, but this 11yo has been tailed off/pulled up on his two runs this season and a major turnaround is required.

10/1

0

9

22nd Jan 2024

Frozen

3m 1f 100y

Class 4

15:40 Warwick

Haldon Hill

11st 9lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Back-to-back wins at Ffos Las (3m, good) and Taunton (2m7f, heavy) last March and only 3lb higher than for the latest of those; however, he's an 11yo now and his reappearance was underwhelming even if that was over 2m4f.

9/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: -2P1F3 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Won over 3m1f at Wincanton on Boxing Day and ran another solid race back there last month; looks have to nothing in hand off his current mark but unlikely to be far away if holding his form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 85y

Class 3

15:40 Taunton

No Hubs No Hoobs

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Joe Tizzard

Ended last season in excellent form, completing a hat-trick with clearcut success at Exeter (3m6f, heavy), but made nothing better than a satisfactory reappearance in October and was pulled up in Welsh Grand National on only subsequent appearance; still on a fairly tough mark and needs to get back in the groove.

6/1

16

27th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 130y

Class 1

14:50 Chepstow

No Hubs No Hoobs

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Ended last season in excellent form on heavy ground in blinkers, winning twice over 3m1f at Wincanton before drawing 6l clear over an extended 3m6f at Exeter; should have come on markedly since October reappearance and this is only his second run over a marathon trip; could have more to offer, though seemingly the deeper the ground the better it is for him.

16/1

Form: P21-8P D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Quirky customer who was never going before pulling up at Chepstow (3m6f); that was his second quiet run since returning from a long absence and he might not be as good as he was.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

10th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 166y

Class 4

18:45 Fontwell

Sandy Boy

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Dual hurdle and chase winner at up to 3m2f, on good or slower; well below his old form in four starts over fences since well over a year off; looks best watched on his return to this discipline.

16/1

6th

7

25th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

15:25 Ffos Las

Sandy Boy

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Quirky customer who was fairly useful in his prime but hasn't fired since returning from a long absence this year; arguably ran better than eventual 38l defeat suggests at Exeter a fortnight ago but others appeal more all the same.

20/1

4th

5

11th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

15:15 Exeter

Sandy Boy

11st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Quirky customer who was never going before pulling up at Chepstow (3m6f); that was his second quiet run since returning from a long absence and he might not be as good as he was.

16/1

Form: 11-PP4 D

Last run: 5 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Not a lot to show for his last three runs (latest after wind surgery) but he came good last spring and should appreciate getting back on good ground; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 57y

Class 5

15:27 Taunton

Marettimo

11st 7lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Bill Turner

held up in rear, slow jump 2nd, headway 13th, weakened before 3 out

20/1

7th

5

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 57y

Class 5

15:27 Taunton

Marettimo

11st 7lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Bill Turner

held up in rear, slow jump 2nd, headway 13th, weakened before 3 out

20/1

7

22nd Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 5f 24y

Class 4

14:13 Fakenham

Marettimo

10st 8lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Bill Turner

Returned from long absence with fairly encouraging run at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) in October but has looked out of sorts since and has a lot more to prove than some of these.

33/1

Form: -23271

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Ex-French; just his second run for this yard and his first after wind surgery when grinding it out on heavy ground at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy); not his fault that only two completed and a 3lb rise is fair; something to prove under these drier conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

King Turgeon

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Won good-quality handicaps at Aintree (2m5f) and Cheltenham (3m2f) towards end of 2024; not at best in 2025 but he shaped as if retaining ability; missed the Grimthorpe at Doncaster in February due to soft ground; drying conditions should help and, back to his last winning mark, he's a possible.

4/1

15

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

King Turgeon

11st 1lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

The writing was on the wall very early when pulled up at Musselburgh latest and it's hard to be confident on the back of that; however, this 7yo has enjoyed a progressive season otherwise, completing a hat-trick with his win here (3m2f, good to soft) in December before solid third at Wincanton (3m2f, good to soft); can make bold bid if bouncing back.

16/1

Form: 33F452

Last run: 46 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Three hurdle wins; 0-9 as a chaser but gave it a good go over 3m6f (good) here in February and assured stamina will be no bad thing today; should feature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 3

17:10 Kelso

The Macon Lugnatic

11st 12lb

J: Miss Isobel Mactaggart

T: Mrs K B Mactaggart

raced in last, pushed along briefly after 6th, slow jump and detached 8th

33/1

10

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 3

17:10 Kelso

The Macon Lugnatic

11st 12lb

J: Miss Isobel Mactaggart

T: Mrs K B Mactaggart

Became rather disappointing for Ben Pauling in 2023; ordinary form pointing this year (pulled up last time) and others appeal more.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: -521PF

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Stayed on well to win at Ffos Las (2m5f, soft) in January on his second chase start but two non-completions have followed; cheekpieces could do something but he's 1-15 and looks a bit risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 4-45P4

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 10yo who is still seeking first win over fences but he stopped the rot with a respectable fourth at Chepstow (2m7f, soft) when the cheekpieces returned; whether he'll back that up remains to be seen, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

13th Dec 2023

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

12:50 Exeter

Mormon

12st 0lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Ended his time with Henry de Bromhead well out of form and there was no revival for new yard last term or on this season's reappearance after wind surgery; he is way down the weights, though, which gives him a chance on two bits of form last term.

25/1

7th

6

20th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

13:50 Exeter

Mormon

11st 9lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Ex-Irish 10yo who is on a much-reduced mark; reappears having had wind surgery and he showed some spark in March, but it was a patchy campaign otherwise and others are more compelling.

33/1

6

11th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

15:15 Exeter

Mormon

11st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Richard Mitford-Slade

Ex-Irish 10yo who is still seeking first win over fences but he stopped the rot with a respectable fourth at Chepstow (2m7f, soft) when the cheekpieces returned; whether he'll back that up remains to be seen, however.

20/1

Form: 5-7183

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

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

7

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:40 Wincanton

Hipop Des Ongrais

11st 6lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Dual good-ground scorer over today's sort of trip in autumn 2023, but in trouble too soon on his sole start since to be certain he derived sufficient benefit from it; returns to his last winning mark.

33/1

1st

2

29th Nov 2023

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:10 Hereford

Hipop Des Ongrais

12st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Successful in similar event at Fontwell (3m2f, good; off 7lb lower) on seasonal debut, adding to his wins at about 2m4f; still unexposed at this sort of distance and looks one for the shortlist.

7/2

Form: 263-85

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Well held in handicaps here over hurdles (2m5f) and fences (3m) but with the hood discarded she won her first race at Huntingdon yesterday (2m7f); penalised accordingly and had a fairly hard race, so reservations if turned out again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

24th Apr 2024

Good

3m 2f 57y

Class 4

17:50 Taunton

Head And Heart

11st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Came clear to win a 3m1f soft-ground chase at Warwick in January (2lb lower; first-time cheekpieces) but it's all gone pear shaped in the meantime; perhaps another change of headgear will work the oracle but it's not hard to have doubts.

10/1

4th

4

24th Apr 2024

Good

3m 2f 57y

Class 4

17:50 Taunton

Head And Heart

11st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Came clear to win a 3m1f soft-ground chase at Warwick in January (2lb lower; first-time cheekpieces) but it's all gone pear shaped in the meantime; perhaps another change of headgear will work the oracle but it's not hard to have doubts.

10/1

1

7th Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:45 Exeter

Head And Heart

12st 0lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Failed to complete last two races and her tendency to clout the occasional fence remains a worry but she looked good when winning in first-time cheekpieces at Warwick (3m1f, soft) in January and is probably still on a workable mark.

11/2

Form: P87-83

Last run: 94 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Irish point but achieved little over hurdles and he finished tailed off on his chase debut despite finishing third (3m1f); had wind surgery since; well out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 109y

Class 5

19:00 Exeter

Etincelle Artiste

10st 2lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Fiona Shaw

Second in an Irish point; moderate form over fences and pulled up at Taunton (2m2f, good) latest; not easy to fancy from 3lb out of weights.

28/1

Non-runners

Hipop Des Ongrais, Head And Heart, Etincelle Artiste

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £40.60
Straight Forecast £32.59
Tricast £189.41
Trifecta £409.80

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

King Turgeon

SPOTLIGHT:

Haldon Hill

The Times:

The Macon Lugnatic

RP Ratings:

Hipop Des Ongrais

LAMBOURN:

Henschke

Telegraph:

King Turgeon

Daily Mail:

King Turgeon

Daily Mirror:

King Turgeon

The Sun:

King Turgeon

The Guardian:

The Macon Lugnatic

D Express:

The Macon Lugnatic

TOPSPEED:

Haldon Hill

POSTDATA:

Haldon Hill

The Star:

Haldon Hill

Daily Record:

Haldon Hill