November 20 / 13.50 Exeter

13.50

Good To Soft

Haldon Forest Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 3m 0f 54y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Haldon Forest Handicap Chase

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 7164-2

Last run: 12 days

W: 12st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 5yo who has been inconsistent since arriving from France but he won at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy) in March and came clear with a rejuvenated winner when a close second at Chepstow (2m7f, heavy) on his recent reappearance; strong claims up 4lb if repeating that latest form.
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

7/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: P1F33- D

Last run: 223 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent last term and well beaten over C&D in April last time; however, he's just 3lb higher than when winning at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last December and reappears with his yard in fine form; contender.
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

11/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 948P-2

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Improved upon his hurdling form when a clear runner-up on chase debut at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) three weeks ago; he's not bred for this sort of trip but his performance last time suggests it may be within range, and this unexposed 6yo could continue to progress over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

6th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:20 Exeter

Leissieres Express

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Progressive over fences last season when winning here and over 3m6f elsewhere; the glaring concern is his laboured reappearance a month ago over 3m2f at Chepstow, where he has form.

10/1

1st

7

6th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:20 Exeter

Leissieres Express

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Progressive over fences last season when winning here and over 3m6f elsewhere; the glaring concern is his laboured reappearance a month ago over 3m2f at Chepstow, where he has form.

10/1

Form: 3177-4 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
5yo whose sole hurdle win came over 2m here in January (on heavy ground); unraced beyond 2m4f but there's some stamina in his pedigree and the way he kept on for fourth of six over 2m3f here (good to soft) on last month's chase debut suggests today's trip is worth a go; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

1st Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ffos Las

Moorland Rambler

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Made all to win this race in pretty good style off 3lb lower in 2025 (heavy ground) and returns here after making the frame on both starts this year (2m5f, good to soft/soft); ought to make a bold bid.

3/1

4th

4

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:07 Ludlow

Moorland Rambler

11st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Very up and down; had one of his better days at Exeter last month (2m5f, good to soft) but was behind Shuil Ceoil and wouldn't be certain to back that up.

12/1

Form: 1612-4 C

Last run: 187 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Absent since below-par run at Newton Abbot in May but a break may have helped and he won twice at Taunton (2m7f, good/good to soft) last season, improving for the step up in trip; has run well here on heavy ground and this 7yo could have more to offer this term; possible player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

19th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

15:05 Exeter

Imperial Joe

11st 10lb

J: Mr Jake Bament

T: Tim Dennis

in touch with leaders

10/1

1st

4

19th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

15:05 Exeter

Imperial Joe

11st 10lb

J: Mr Jake Bament

T: Tim Dennis

in touch with leaders

10/1

3rd

3

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Imperial Joe

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Tim Dennis

All three chase wins have been over further, the last two here at 2m7f; below his best when last seen in June.

20/1

Form: PP2P7- C

Last run: 206 days

W: 10st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
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.
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

Form: 45P4P-

Last run: 223 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 1333-9

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won at Chepstow (2m, soft) in January and there's some stamina in this 6yo's pedigree; he may have needed his recent reappearance at Warwick (2m4f) but was tailed off, and also wasn't at his best on his final two outings last season (2m3f/2m5f); others have less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

6th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

18:42 Fontwell

Valirann Gold

10st 13lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Harriet Brown

Course winner; a lot of his form is over shorter but he proved his stamina for 3m when runner-up at Ffos Las two weeks ago (good); unlikely to be far away off the same mark.

5/1

2nd

10

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:42 Ffos Las

Valirann Gold

10st 5lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Harriet Brown

Produced a remarkable late surge to snatch what had looked an unlikely victory at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft; blinkers removed) last month but this inconsistent 9yo tends to race lazily nowadays and got going too late when back at Fontwell a fortnight ago; other are much less risky.

12/1

Form: 234-64

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo who is well treated on last season's hurdle form and built upon her chase debut run when fourth at Hereford a fortnight ago; she could be gradually getting the hang of things over fences but she was beaten 15l last time and certainly needs to take another step forward today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

30th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:05 Newton Abbot

My Girl Katie

12st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Grace Harris

Beat Testlight here in July but not in their rematch; bounced off the fast ground when winning well at Stratford 12 days ago to earn this 8lb higher mark; had some soft-ground form back in the day.

13/8

5

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

17:00 Stratford

My Girl Katie

10st 8lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Grace Harris

Dual point winner this spring; well beaten over hurdles on rules return in June but won comfortably when back over fences at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) last month and ran well in defeat over that C&D a fortnight later; likely contender again.

9/4

Form: 266153 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 12st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Made it two wins for the season when scoring at Worcester (2m7f, good) in August; however, this inconsistent sort has been well beaten the next twice (hurdles/fences) and today's slow ground may not be ideal, with his last three wins having come on good going.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

30th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 205y

Class 4

20:10 Stratford

Captain Tommy

11st 11lb

J: Mr Huw Edwards

T: Fred Timmis

About 6l and 2l too good for Presentandcounting at Catterick (3m1f, good) and Walkin Out at Ludlow (2m4f, good) respectively back in March, but two subdued efforts when as much in his favour since to forgive.

5/1

4th

4

30th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 205y

Class 4

20:10 Stratford

Captain Tommy

11st 11lb

J: Mr Huw Edwards

T: Fred Timmis

About 6l and 2l too good for Presentandcounting at Catterick (3m1f, good) and Walkin Out at Ludlow (2m4f, good) respectively back in March, but two subdued efforts when as much in his favour since to forgive.

5/1

5th

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

16:40 Ludlow

Captain Tommy

12st 6lb

J: Mr Henry Crow

T: Fred Timmis

Won small-field hunter chases on good ground at Catterick (3m1f) and Ludlow (2m4f) last month; lost out to only the odds-on favourite at Kempton (2m4f, good) three weeks ago and, although the scale of his defeat was a bit worrying, his good record here (won the last three of his four visits) bolsters his chance today.

9/4

OUR TIP

Form: 8/254/

Last run: 1096 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Cork bumper winner who showed promise over hurdles in Ireland (albeit without winning); has a huge absence to defy on his chase debut (unraced since changing hands for 20,000euros in February 2021) but he's been given a chance by the handicapper; market check advised (one of two for yard).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

8th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:35 Worcester

Behind The Curtain

11st 11lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

prominent, weakened after 3 out

10/1

1

5th Jun 2024

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:10 Newton Abbot

Behind The Curtain

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Can be hit and miss but he made pretty much all the running to beat five rivals in latest hurdle start at Hereford (3m1f, good) 12 days ago; off the same mark here but has not looked a natural chaser in two previous attempts.

5/1

1st

4

24th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

17:55 Hereford

Behind The Curtain

11st 12lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Ex-Irish 10yo; has very mixed record since returning from mammoth absence in the autumn but caused 50-1 surprise when reverted to hurdling at Wincanton (2m5f, soft) in March and was back in good form when close second over C&D (good) 11 days ago; obvious contender if in the right mood.

11/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.80
Straight Forecast £34.74
Tricast £143.55
Trifecta £153.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

King Turgeon

TOPSPEED:

Imperial Joe

Telegraph:

Leissieres Express

Daily Mail:

No Hubs No Hoobs

POSTDATA:

Captain Tommy

D Express:

Behind The Curtain

The Star:

Leissieres Express

RP RATINGS:

King Turgeon

WEST COUNTRY:

King Turgeon

Daily Mirror:

King Turgeon

Daily Record:

King Turgeon

The Times:

Imperial Joe

The Guardian:

Imperial Joe

The Sun:

Imperial Joe