February 11 / 15.35 Exeter

15.35

Heavy

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 7f 25y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
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Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.40
  • Place: £3.00

Form: 222423

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
No win since January 2022 but a very solid sequence this season under Bradley Harris, with last six starts including four seconds; wore cheekpieces last three outings; stayed on well for a close third in the Warwick qualifier four weeks ago but he was no match for Goshhowposh on the run-in at Wincanton time before and a 2lb swing should not be enough to turn the tables.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Shallow River

11st 12lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Won a 3m handicap hurdle on soft ground at Carlisle in December 2024 but hasn't been out since; looks his stable's second string.

14/1

1st

4

15th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:07 Carlisle

Shallow River

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Tailed off on his stable and seasonal debut at Newton Abbot in October but may have needed the run and a good case can be made on last winter's form, including a win at Exeter (2m7f, heavy) in February; chance.

8/1

1st

4

15th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:07 Carlisle

Shallow River

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Tailed off on his stable and seasonal debut at Newton Abbot in October but may have needed the run and a good case can be made on last winter's form, including a win at Exeter (2m7f, heavy) in February; chance.

8/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 11-422 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Two wins here; ended last season with three hurdle wins; best efforts on latest two outings when beaten a neck at Sandown (2m7f, heavy) and second again at Plumpton (3m1f, good to soft); up another 3lb but a leading player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

15:30 Newbury

Hititi

12st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Has been racking up the places since completing a hat-trick two years ago, a sure sign that he's high in the weights; however, again ran well at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) last time and finished just ahead of last week's Pertemps Final runner-up Jeriko Du Reponet; raised another 2lb for that but he's very solid.

3/1

2nd

1

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 2

15:33 Exeter

Hititi

12st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Completed a hat-trick in spring 2023 but has been chalking up the seconds since; two of those have been at this track in this race last year and a 3m chase on penultimate start (has worn cheekpieces this term); form dipped at Windsor latest and he's probably vulnerable if back on song for this return to hurdling.

14/1

7/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 33-023

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 3lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Acts on heavy; third in 3m handicap hurdles at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last spring for the second season running; two runs over fences this winter suggest he's at least as good as ever; exposed 12yo but he should be seriously involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:30 Cartmel

Mill Green

12st 2lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Best known as a very useful 3m handicap hurdler but was very creditable third in Veterans' Final at Warwick (3m, soft) on latest chasing start in January; did not fire in Pertemps Final at Cheltenham Festival in March and has stamina to prove here but will find this considerably easier than the races he normally contests.

6/4

1st

1

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:30 Cartmel

Mill Green

12st 2lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

raced in third, not fluent 5 out, went second 4 out, going best 2 out, pushed along to lead last, soon went clear, ridden and idled run-in, kept on final 110yds

6/4

15th

10

14th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:10 Cheltenham

Mill Green

11st 0lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Nicky Henderson

Third in the big 3m handicap hurdles at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals in both 2022 and 2023; exposed 12yo but there's every indication that he retains all of that ability, so may well be seriously involved once more.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 21-473

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Upped to 3m/2m7f this season and running creditably, without being quite in top form (one of his best efforts was on heavy); needs to find a bit extra and is tongue tied for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

21th

2

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Gowel Road

11st 10lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Can front-run; Cheltenham regular, where he won a 3m Grade 2 last January; sixth in this in 2024 and ran creditably here on three of his first five starts this season, before a big run under Toby McCain-Mitchell at Chepstow 19 days ago; back up 2lb to his career-high mark but probably not far away.

28/1

2nd

1

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Gowel Road

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Cheltenham regular, where he won a 3m Grade 2 last January from Monmiral; ran creditably there on three of his latest four starts but he's only 2lb off his career-high mark; cheekpieces (worn on last three starts) are off; 5lb claimer is recruited.

6/1

4th

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Gowel Road

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Course regular who won this last year (soft); however, today's contest looks like it will take more winning, even before factoring in the 6lb penalty he carries this time around; looks vulnerable on this season's evidence.

12/1

Form: 2-2744

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Smart in 2019 (acted on heavy going) before a long absence; way below that standard nowadays, nevertheless taking second of 16 in a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in October but he's not quite matched that since in two chases or a handicap hurdle; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Angels Breath

12st 0lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

Smart back in the day for Nicky Henderson; an 11yo now and after winning his first hunter chase he was hammered by Shearer at Ffos Las (2m5f; heavy was no excuse); opposable.

50/1

2nd

2

6th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 5f 110y

Class 4

16:50 Ffos Las

Angels Breath

12st 2lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

prominent, disputing second before 2nd, lost ground when not fluent 4 out, no chance with winner before 2 out

6/4

2nd

2

6th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 5f 110y

Class 4

16:50 Ffos Las

Angels Breath

12st 2lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

prominent, disputing second before 2nd, lost ground when not fluent 4 out, no chance with winner before 2 out

6/4

Form: F-5PP6

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
No win since chase debut in 2020; started last term with two excellent seconds, big career best in the Welsh National (3m6f, soft), but has not clicked in his six starts since; didn't go a yard in this season's Welsh National and return to hurdling four weeks ago failed to relight the spark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

The Big Breakaway

10st 2lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Smart in his prime but has not shown a great deal this season and was tailed off in C&D contest won by Final Orders last month; effectively 1lb higher today; difficult to enthuse over.

66/1

3rd

2

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 3

16:58 Warwick

The Big Breakaway

12st 0lb

J: Miss Anna Johnston

T: Anthony Charlton

Regular in marathon chases who bounced back to form when second of 14 in this headgear combination at Bangor (3m6f, soft; 40-1) last month; back up 5lb and despite some fine efforts he has gone 22 starts without a win since November 2020; others more solid.

11/2

2nd

1

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

The Big Breakaway

12st 0lb

J: Miss Anna Johnston

T: Anthony Charlton

Former Welsh National runner-up but rarely seems up for the challenge these days and was beaten a distance on his sole completion this season; new headgear provides some cause for optimism but far too risky to trust.

33/1

Form: 1/F1/9

Last run: 105 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
Looked a top prospect with his performances in 2021 in novice hurdles (including one on soft) and novice chases; however, he had an injury-enforced 687-day absence and was always towards the rear when reappearing in Grade 2 Old Roan Handicap Chase at Aintree in October; he reportedly "wasn't really firing" through November but has given more positive signs this year; it's far too soon to write him off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

20

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

My Drogo

12st 0lb

J: Mr William Biddick

T: Edward William Walker

In the same colours when winning a Grade 1 novices' hurdle at this meeting for Dan Skelton four years ago; subsequent progress has been stalled by lengthy absences but he looked back on good terms with himself when not overly troubled to see off Gracchus De Balme and Jet Plane in a hunter chase at Haydock in February; could be dangerous.

11/2

20

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

My Drogo

12st 0lb

J: Mr William Biddick

T: Edward William Walker

In the same colours when winning a Grade 1 novices' hurdle at this meeting for Dan Skelton four years ago; subsequent progress has been stalled by lengthy absences but he looked back on good terms with himself when not overly troubled to see off Gracchus De Balme and Jet Plane in a hunter chase at Haydock in February; could be dangerous.

11/2

7

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 54y

Class 3

16:25 Haydock

My Drogo

11st 12lb

J: Mr William Biddick

T: Edward William Walker

Soundly beaten/pulled up on his two starts last season, following a long absence; however, he won a Grade 1 novice hurdle in April 2021 and also looked very promising over fences later that year; last month's easy point-to-point win hints he could be on his way back; intriguing candidate.

2/1

Form: 7331/P D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Fourth in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham in 2020 and won it (again 3m on soft; same mark today) in 2022; absent since until pulled up in the Warwick qualifier four weeks ago, when he'd reportedly needed the run but it would have been preferable had he shown a bit more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

11th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 25y

Class 2

15:35 Exeter

Third Wind

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

Fourth in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham in 2020 and won it (again 3m on soft; same mark today) in 2022; absent since until pulled up in the Warwick qualifier four weeks ago, when he'd reportedly needed the run but it would have been preferable had he shown a bit more.

16/1

0

1

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

13:49 Warwick

Third Wind

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

Fourth in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham in 2020 and won it (again 3m on soft) in 2022, having been third in this qualifier; same mark today as for that win but he's not been seen since, which poses a big question and trainer says "he will probably need the run"; Grade 1 Stayers' Hurdle entry.

9/1

Form: 0P-42P D

Last run: 58 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Won at Cheltenham in December 2022 by 7l off 2lb lower but, following a good second over fences, he was pulled up in the same race this season; that was on soft and he does have something to prove on soft and heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Captain Morgs

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful over hurdles and fences on his day; out of sorts since chase success last May but this is a drop back in class and mark is workable on best form.

7/1

5th

3

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Captain Morgs

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful over hurdles and fences on his day; out of sorts since chase success last May but this is a drop back in class and mark is workable on best form.

7/1

21

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Captain Morgs

10st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nicky Henderson

Good ground suits but he's not the easiest to predict at the best of times and has run badly in all three races since his chase win at Aintree (3m1f, good) last May; had a second wind operation before penultimate start and was back hurdling for latest; well treated on best form but the chances of his reproducing it seem to be receding.

66/1

Form: 6-8P1P

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Three wins over hurdles in Ireland last season (up to 2m5f) and he shot back to form when taking a six-runner novice handicap chase at Ffos Las (2m3f, heavy) in December on third start for this stable; however, not proven over this sort of trip and pulled up when out of his depth trying 3m in a Grade 2 novice chase on latest outing; needs a career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 6f 41y

Class 3

16:08 Windsor

Carbon King

11st 7lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Last campaign was very hit and miss but included two wins over about 2m4f on heavy going and he seems to be working his way back to form this season; not proven beyond 2m5f but he's too well handicapped to be ignored.

20/1

10

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 6f 41y

Class 3

16:08 Windsor

Carbon King

11st 7lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Last campaign was very hit and miss but included two wins over about 2m4f on heavy going and he seems to be working his way back to form this season; not proven beyond 2m5f but he's too well handicapped to be ignored.

20/1

Form: 43-1U1 CD

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in October, ran creditably in hot race next time and eventually asserted in dominant style at Wincanton (3m) on latest; has a bit more to prove back on worse than good to soft ground (third on soft on final start last term) but he's had just six races, so plenty of potential, and shapes as if he has major stamina reserves; lots to like.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Goshhowposh

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won a Pertemps qualifier at Wincanton (3m, good to soft) on Boxing Day 2023; well handicapped on that form but he's had only four runs since and was pulled up on his comeback at Newbury last month; has something to prove and yard also runs Oh My Johnny.

20/1

7

7th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

13:35 Newbury

Goshhowposh

11st 3lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Pulled up sole start on heavy; won off this mark in a Pertemps qualifier at Wincanton (3m, good to soft) on Boxing Day 2023 but did not live up to that in his three races in 2024, in headgear on last two occasions; absent 484 days since, so assessing his revival prospects requires some guesswork.

16/1

6th

6

11th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

16:25 Chepstow

Goshhowposh

11st 2lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won a Pertemps Hurdle qualifier at Wincanton (3m, good to soft) on Boxing Day but failed to go on from there, albeit in just two subsequent starts (blinkered the final time); doesn't do much in a hurry but he's a strong stayer who is bred for fences and could be in for a good season; cheekpieces added.

7/1

Non-runners

American Sniper

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £70.60
Straight Forecast £50.64
Tricast £498.93
Trifecta £581.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Goshhowposh

TOPSPEED:

Gowel Road

The Times:

Hititi

Daily Record:

My Drogo

Telegraph:

Mill Green

RP RATINGS:

Goshhowposh

Daily Mirror:

Goshhowposh

The Sun:

Goshhowposh

POSTDATA:

Gowel Road

D Express:

Gowel Road

The Star:

Gowel Road