December 23 / 15.35 Ascot

15.35

Good To Soft

Betfair Exchange Trophy (A Handicap Hurdle) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £85425
  • 1m 7f 152y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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Betfair Exchange Trophy (A Handicap Hurdle) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 143-23 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
First met defeat at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals; has had to settle for further minor honours this term (2m, soft) in Listed event at Wetherby and the Greatwood at Cheltenham, in the latter 7l third of 15 off today's mark to Iberico Lord; they were creditable efforts in form terms but she needs a bit extra if she's to take a race of today's quality.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

2nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Wetherby

Luccia

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Carries 4lb penalty and she was a beaten favourite in this race last year (soft), but still ran well in second; won a handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good) last December before fine third in the Champion Hurdle (2m, heavy) and she holds leading claims this afternoon.

8/13

1

2nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Wetherby

Luccia

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Carries 4lb penalty and she was a beaten favourite in this race last year (soft), but still ran well in second; won a handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good) last December before fine third in the Champion Hurdle (2m, heavy) and she holds leading claims this afternoon.

8/13

4th

7

11th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Aintree

Luccia

11st 3lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Progressive 6yo who took another step forward with her third in last month's Champion Hurdle (2m, heavy), when nicely clear of the fourth; she's unraced beyond 2m1f but her pedigree provides hope she'll be okay at this trip; top trainer has an excellent record in this race and she's not ruled out.

10/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 212-11 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Well-backed favourite for 17-runner race at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) five weeks ago on handicap debut and he justified it, leading at the last and driven out to take career record to 5-7; withdrawn when ground was heavy two weeks ago (runner-up on soft on hurdles debut); 10lb higher than at Cheltenham, so needs further marked improvement but no shock if he finds it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Impose Toi

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Relished step up in trip when winning C&D handicap (good to soft) in November and won the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) and Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) on his next two starts, with Strong Leader in second on both occasions; below par at Cheltenham on last two runs (good record there previously) and it was disconcerting that he was pulled up in the Stayers', but he's in the picture if back to his best.

13/2

8

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Impose Toi

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Handicap runner-up at last year's Festival; made it 3-3 over staying trips in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December; not seen to same effect when 7l second to Ma Shantou in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle over C&D in January but was conceding 6lb to the winner and the soft going perhaps wasn't ideal; could have a part to play if bouncing back to his best.

10/1

2nd

2

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Impose Toi

11st 8lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

A revelation this season since upped to staying trips, winning a handicap at Aintree (3m, good to soft) and enjoying further success in Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) and Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft); beat Strong Leader by just over 1l last time and he's produced positive performances on both previous runs here; he's the one to beat.

4/5

11/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: /119-2 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
12-1 but ran poorly in Grade 1 novice at Aintree (2m, good to soft) in April in hat-trick bid; disputed favouritism and tongue tied when creditable second of 12 on reappearance over C&D (soft) seven weeks ago on handicap debut, held up, travelling up well but never getting to grips with the winner; raised just 1lb and can surely strike at some point off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Altobelli

11st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Won two handicaps in a row at Ascot (2m3f, good) early last year; also effective on soft ground and didn't stay 3m in Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot latest; all of his best form has come at Ascot but he hasn't had many chances to show what he can do elsewhere and he's in the picture on his peak efforts.

7/1

8th

1

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Altobelli

11st 10lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Successful in a couple of useful handicaps at Ascot (2m3f, good) since wearing cheekpieces; open to further progress in the headgear but appears to have a stiff task on these terms and the trip is an unknown.

16/1

Form: 0-7511 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Back from a lull to win at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) and Huntingdon (2m, good) on last two outings, racing close up throughout; raised another 6lb and Finn Lambert, who won twice on him last winter, takes over again; this quality race demands a marked step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

Moveit Like Minnie

10st 11lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Justified favouritism at Wincanton (2m4f, good) last time, recording a first win over hurdles since 2023; fairly consistent and looks worth a crack at this new trip so may remain competitive; whether he can follow up is a different matter.

10/1

1st

7

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 3

16:57 Wincanton

Moveit Like Minnie

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Not quite in peak form this season but has still made the frame in some good-quality contests, most recently when close fourth of 15 at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) last month; in calmer waters here and will be suited by the faster ground; leading claims.

7/2

4th

15

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Moveit Like Minnie

10st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Largely consistent record at Ascot includes a sixth-place finish in this contest last year and placed effort in latest start; on a 13-race losing sequence but should give his running.

11/1

Form: 154-21 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Has won on soft; excellent fourth in Grade 1 novice at Aintree in April; travelled smoothly to two out and responded well thereafter when winning eight-runner Grade 3 handicap at Newbury (again 2m on good to soft) three weeks ago; up 4lb and in a much stronger field but he's a serious prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Hansard

11st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Had a simple task when beating two stablemates at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) in December; finished behind Jax Junior and Mambonumberfive in his runs on either side of that win; bottom of the list on ratings.

100/1

7th

7

20th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Hansard

11st 2lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Only 1lb above his last winning mark but hasn't truly threatened this season and no better for cheekpieces the last twice, in the County Hurdle and then over 2m4f at Aintree; he wouldn't be the obvious answer here.

8/1

Form: 8-13OO D BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Made good headway when favourite in 18-runner race for handicap debut at Cork (2m2f) in August, only to run out approaching the final flight; left Niall Madden prior to the Greatwood at Cheltenham (first run on soft) last month, which looked a tough target on the face of it for one so inexperienced but he's with highly respected connections and started favourite, only to run out when racing on the inner at the fourth last; has a major kink to be addressed there but it looks fair to say he has untapped potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

21st Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Worcester

Onlyamatteroftime

11st 7lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Took nine attempts to get off the mark over hurdles but did so with very smooth success in Warwick maiden (2m3f, good) in May and has strong claims here.

5/4

1st

7

30th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Warwick

Onlyamatteroftime

11st 7lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Punchestown bumper winner for Niall Madden in June 2023; highly tried on first three starts for Willie Mullins, running out in the Greatwood on first occasion before creditable sixth at Ascot in December (1m7f, good); bit disappointing when second in a Ballinrobe handicap last time (2m6f, soft; set plenty to do); strong contender in this maiden.

7/4

Form: 6F12-1 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Problems on his first two British starts but marked improvement in his three since wind surgery; latest was the 15-runner Greatwood at Cheltenham (2m, soft) in which he was held up travelling well, challenged at the last and stayed on strongly for a clearcut win as the first two drew clear; up 8lb but no surprise if he improves again for another win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 118y

17:30 Punchestown

Iberico Lord

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Nicky Henderson

Ground versatile sort is 4-15 over hurdles; back to form in fine style when landing the Lanzarote at Kempton in January (2m5f, good) off 136; hiked up 8lb and came up short in the BetMGM Cup at Cheltenham, though did meet trouble in running; dropped 1lb but may need more help from the handicapper.

14/1

8th

11

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Iberico Lord

11st 3lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Bagged two big 2m handicaps (here and at Newbury) in the mud during his 2023-24 campaign; had a spell in the wilderness but dropped back down the weights prior to scoring with major authority in the 2m5f Lanzarote at Kempton (good; 22-1) two months ago; back up 8lb but also firmly back on the radar.

9/1

17th

4

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 149y

15:40 Punchestown

Iberico Lord

11st 5lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Nicky Henderson

in touch with leaders

8/1

Form: P1-6P2 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Came good at the right time to win at 33-1 in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m1f, soft) in March, capitalising on a reduced mark; near that form when second of six off this 3lb higher mark over C&D (good) four weeks ago but he faces improvers in this line-up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

14

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Faivoir

11st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Has lots of form in major handicaps, generally at about 2m, but losing spell goes back three years and he looks unlikely to land this hot contest at the age of 11; remote third at Newbury most recently.

40/1

3rd

5

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:20 Newbury

Faivoir

11st 8lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Missed last term; useful on his day (County winner) but is into the veteran stage and not particularly solid on this season's form, for all that he was placed in the Greatwood; beaten twice in this contest (pulled up in 2023, fifth in 2024).

33/1

Form: 61-2U9 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Has some quirks but held on by a short head in the Sussex Champion Hurdle at Plumpton in April and good second in the Swinton at Haydock (again on good; acts on soft) in May, when a last-flight error might have cost him the race; unseated early on reappearance, eight days before tailed off here seven weeks ago, so others have more pressing claims at the moment.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Teddy Blue

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has registered a couple of useful handicap wins this season, including at Kempton (2m4f, good) on penultimate start; faces a stiffer task conceding weight all round in this grade, with 4lb penalty incurred.

25/1

23

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Teddy Blue

10st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Can be difficult to settle and he was reluctant to line up at Kempton (2m4f, good) four weeks ago, but that didn't stop him winning; had just a neck to spare but the first two were clear and this 8yo is now 4-10 over fences; further progress is possible and he's not ruled out up just 3lb.

40/1

1st

5

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:18 Kempton

Teddy Blue

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

All three chase wins (good to soft and good) in 2025, including at 2m2f here; creditable shows in his first 2m4f chases on last two starts and perhaps this sharper test than at Newbury recently will suit; not far away.

12/1

Non-runners

Nemean Lion, Salsada

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £36.40
Straight Forecast £48.39
Tricast £195.15
Trifecta £194.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Iberico Lord

WEST COUNTRY:

Altobelli

LAMBOURN:

Impose Toi

POSTDATA:

Luccia

D Express:

Onlyamatteroftime

The Guardian:

Moveit Like Minnie

Daily Mirror:

Hansard

RP RATINGS:

Iberico Lord

TOPSPEED:

Iberico Lord

The Star:

Iberico Lord

Daily Record:

Impose Toi

The Times:

Altobelli

Daily Mail:

Altobelli

The Sun:

Altobelli

Telegraph:

Luccia