February 11 / 14.35 Exeter

14.35

Heavy

Trustatrader Apply Today British Studs EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £9530.5
  • 2m 2f 111y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Trustatrader Apply Today British Studs EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

100/1 (Won)

  • Win: £201.00
  • Place: £15.80

Form: 50

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in December on sole bumper start and tailed off at 200-1 on subsequent hurdle debut at Chepstow (2m, soft); best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:12 Ffos Las

Absolute Steel

11st 10lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Tom Lacey

midfield, dropped to rear after 2nd, reminders after 3rd, soon raced in last and detached, pulled up before 6th, never going well

10/1

4

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:12 Ffos Las

Absolute Steel

11st 10lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Tom Lacey

Caused a 200-1 surprise when landing a novice at Exeter (2m2f, heavy) in February but he stopped quickly and was pulled up at Bangor next time; still unexposed but has bit to prove again on this handicap debut and drying ground would be an unknown factor.

10/1

1

28th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 123y

Class 3

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Absolute Steel

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Tom Lacey

First two starts saw him beat a total of one rival; 200-1, therefore, for a novice hurdle at Exeter (2m2f, heavy) 17 days ago but he made most to win that eight-runner race, rallying to see off the 4-9 favourite; wandered at plenty of his hurdles that day and looks the type to improve but the penalty may be his undoing today.

100/30

OUR TIP

Form: 1111 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Made it 4-4 over hurdles when winning at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) last month, which was his second small-field handicap victory; has achieved a strong level of form; leading claims under double penalty now back in a novice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

15:32 Newbury

Lowrys Bar

11st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Largely progressive prior to bleeding from the nose on his final start last season (February) and he did not show much when pulled up again here in November, albeit in a top 3m2f handicap chase (22-1); this is his first hurdle race since October 2024 and there are plenty of reasons to believe he's well handicapped if all is well with him.

7/1

1

22nd Feb 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Lowrys Bar

12st 0lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

in touch with leaders

11/2

33/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 49

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shown some ability but not enough to suggest he'll be winning this; modest handicaps will be more suitable after today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

22nd Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

16:47 Exeter

Diamatiste

11st 13lb

J: Mr Darren Andrews

T: Kayley Woollacott

Won over 2m5f on heavy here 13 months ago; consistent in defeat this season in handicaps at about this distance, running his usual honest race last time at Ascot; has nudged up the weights so his rider's 7lb claim is welcomed; good to soft is fine but he has a bit to prove on good.

4/1

2nd

12

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 123y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

Diamatiste

11st 4lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Kayley Woollacott

Won at Exeter (2m5f, heavy) just under a year ago and has made the frame over 2m7f there on all three starts this season but has a bit more on his plate in this higher grade and needs a career-best effort.

8/1

1st

4

21st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

16:30 Exeter

Diamatiste

11st 12lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Kayley Woollacott

in touch with leaders, mistake 1st, prominent 5th

7/1

Form: 28

Last run: 83 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
His dam was useful and he was second on debut in bumper at Newton Abbot (2m1f, heavy) in October; well beaten here (2m, good to soft) next time and, while he retains potential, he now goes hurdling in a warm race and others are more compelling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

20th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:42 Newton Abbot

Pirates Tale

11st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Chris Honour

Won 2m maiden hurdle in March 2024 but an unknown quantity now, having been pulled up in two hurdle runs either side of three non-completions in points; now has a go in headgear.

33/1

3

14th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

15:55 Newton Abbot

Pirates Tale

11st 8lb

J: David Noonan

T: Chris Honour

Returns to rules action on the back of three non-completions in points but he has been competitive off this mark in the past and still only a 7yo; could be a surprise package after changing yards.

25/1

Form: 14-11U

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Won his first two hurdle starts (2m5f/2m4f, good/soft) and was running well in a share of second when unseated rider at final flight in Grade 2 at Sandown (2m4f, heavy) in December; strong claims under double penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Josh The Boss

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Novice chaser who has several pieces of sound form at up to 2m4f this season, including a second at Aintree; however, below that level in major handicaps in two of his last three starts, seeming a non-stayer at Doncaster (soft) in the sole 3m attempt; stamina to prove back up in trip.

16/1

7

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Josh The Boss

10st 12lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Fairly useful novice chaser who scored easily at Doncaster in November and has performed creditably off current mark twice since, albeit failed to justify favouritism when sent up to Newcastle (2m4f) last time; goes into deeper waters at this level.

11/1

2nd

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Josh The Boss

11st 6lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Always ridden by Jamie Neild; walked over on his second chase assignment and easily made all in four-runner handicap at Doncaster (2m3f, soft) in November; another big run from the front when second of five at Aintree (2m4f) next time, before his first attempt at 3m did not work out in a Grade 3 handicap four weeks ago; he should be of renewed interest back at 2m4f.

4/1

Form: 3F82

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Third in sole bumper (2m, good) and back to form when near-10l second at Chepstow (2m, heavy) last month on third hurdle start; however, that latest form is relatively modest and others have more substance to their claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

27th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:23 Newton Abbot

Senor Diaz

10st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Jimmy Frost

13-race maiden who has been pulled up in both runs over fences (2m3f) and was tailed off back over hurdles at Exeter (2m, good) last time; opposable.

33/1

5th

8

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

19:10 Exeter

Senor Diaz

10st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Jimmy Frost

Placed in a bumper and a novices' hurdle (heavy) when with Seamus Mullins; has failed to complete in all three starts for his current trainer.

33/1

7

7th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

16:10 Exeter

Senor Diaz

10st 4lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Jimmy Frost

Pulled up on his chasing debut in a C&D handicap in December; went off 40-1 that day so hard to warm to.

33/1

Form: 74

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Big odds and soundly beaten in mid-division in bumpers here (soft/heavy) on his two starts; hard to fancy on hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

15:08 Newton Abbot

Bredon Hill Dart

11st 7lb

J: Lucy Gardner

T: Sue Gardner

Course winner who was in good form until pulled up in 3m Chepstow handicap 19 days ago; he may have found that run coming too quickly so is worth another chance in refitted cheekpieces.

4/1

10

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:50 Chepstow

Bredon Hill Dart

10st 12lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

Not always one to rely upon heavily but won at Exeter (2m5f, heavy) last month and stayed on for third (just behind Blue In The West) in big field there (2m7f, good to soft) nine days ago; could have a say.

12/1

3rd

12

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

Bredon Hill Dart

11st 3lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Sue Gardner

Returned to form with 4l win here (2m5f, heavy) last month but was safely held when fourth over C&D (good to soft) 11 days ago and is not one to rely upon; others preferred.

10/1

Form: 56

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner who was fifth of 16 on hurdle debut here (2m, soft) in December, but a bigger performance is needed today and he was tailed off at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

14:55 Chepstow

Totowolfe

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

towards rear

33/1

9

12th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

14:18 Hereford

Totowolfe

10st 4lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

in rear, headway into midfield 8th, not fluent 11th, weakened before 2 out (usual 3 out), pulled up last (usual 2 out)

20/1

7th

11

18th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:50 Taunton

Totowolfe

10st 7lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

towards rear, midfield when mistake 3rd

25/1

Non-runners

Hasthing, Home Free

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £427.40
Straight Forecast £321.02
Trifecta £6730.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lowry's Bar

TOPSPEED:

Josh The Boss

RP RATINGS:

Lowry's Bar

POSTDATA:

Lowry's Bar

The Times:

Lowry's Bar

Telegraph:

Lowry's Bar

Daily Mirror:

Lowry's Bar

The Sun:

Lowry's Bar

Daily Record:

Lowry's Bar

D Express:

Josh The Boss

The Star:

Josh The Boss