March 19 / 15.30 Exeter

15.30

Soft

Join Racing TV Now Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 5f 137y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Join Racing TV Now Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.30

Form: -FP212 CD

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
In good form from the front since blinkers fitted on last two hurdle starts, beating a next-time winner with something to spare over C&D (heavy) then running up against a progressive one over 3m1f at Warwick in January; good contender back in trip for in-form trainer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

27th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:40 Southwell

Feivel

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 7th, headway on outer and went second before 2 out, weakened approaching last

11/2

3rd

5

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:23 Warwick

Feivel

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Chase form includes a good effort off 4lb higher in the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good) on seasonal debut; two poor efforts since but could revive in new headgear; four-time hurdles winner.

14/1

2

13th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:38 Exeter

Feivel

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Front-runner who won twice over hurdles at this track (2m5f, soft/heavy) early last year; despite mistakes, he returned with a good second back over fences at Fontwell (3m3f, good), but then had another off-day back over hurdles a month ago; not entirely sure what to expect from him.

12/1

15/2

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 876324

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
The return to 2m was no help in a military race at Sandown recently but he had earlier kept up the good fight when attempting to give weight to an improver at Haydock (3m, heavy) and is now 11lb lower than when reappearing in October; should be competitive with this stiff test at 2m5f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

6th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:18 Uttoxeter

Front View

11st 6lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Formerly a very useful 2m chaser/hurdler for Joseph O'Brien; not as good these days although fair hurdle runs when second at Haydock in December (3m1f, heavy) and at Exeter in March (2m5f, soft); cheekpieces tried; each-way chance.

10/1

5th

4

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Front View

11st 8lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Runner-up on two of his last three starts but was no match for the winner when occupying that position at Exeter (2m5f, soft) last month, and he's just 1-15 over hurdles; others are more compelling.

9/1

5th

4

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Front View

11st 8lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Runner-up on two of his last three starts but was no match for the winner when occupying that position at Exeter (2m5f, soft) last month, and he's just 1-15 over hurdles; others are more compelling.

9/1

50/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: -1PP49

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Probably handles soft ground but it was good going when he made all for a 3m1f win at Warwick last May; hasn't been in much form at about 2m7f since and others higher up the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Exmoor Forest

11st 9lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Placed in three consecutive chases during the winter (2m7f-3m, good to soft) but this first hurdling start since March 2024 comes after a five-month break, so his fitness must be taken on trust.

12/1

2

18th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:35 Taunton

Exmoor Forest

11st 10lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

Creditable third over C&D (good to soft) in December, after a wind op, and probably bettered that performance when filling same position at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) last month; remains on a workable mark and seems likely to be right in the thick of things again.

9/2

Form: 1-P2P4

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Now back on his latest winning mark, at Taunton (2m3f, heavy) last March, but has run only once to a similar level since and was well held back from his second wind surgery 25 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

19:10 Fontwell

Decorated

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Has appreciated the return to hurdles and made pretty much all over 2m3f (good) here three weeks ago; up 7lb but rated higher in the past.

13/8

3rd

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

19:10 Fontwell

Decorated

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Has appreciated the return to hurdles and made pretty much all over 2m3f (good) here three weeks ago; up 7lb but rated higher in the past.

13/8

1st

2

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

19:47 Fontwell

Decorated

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Chasing did not go to plan but he's returned to hurdles on last two starts, runner-up over C&D (good to soft) on latest despite not always jumping fluently; off the same mark, he should make his presence felt.

11/4

Form: 1-2333

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Successful handicap hurdle debut at 2m3f (good to soft) last spring; hasn't progressed over fences this winter and well beaten back hurdling (3m, heavy) this month; this lesser test can suit but has a bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:00 Newton Abbot

High Game Royal

12st 0lb

J: Mr Nicholas Romain

T: Mrs R A Romain

Beaten between 17l and 33l in his last three hunter chases, getting outpaced at trips from 2m5f to 3m1f; tongue-tie is now added; probably playing for minor money.

16/1

3rd

2

1st May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 4

17:40 Warwick

High Game Royal

12st 0lb

J: Mr Nicholas Romain

T: Mrs R A Romain

Outpaced on all four starts this year, latterly in hunter chases at Stratford (2m5f) and Exeter (3m), on which evidence the marathon on this card might have been a more comfortable fit; others are more persuasive.

20/1

3rd

8

7th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

17:10 Exeter

High Game Royal

11st 12lb

J: Mr Nicholas Romain

T: Mrs R A Romain

Won over hurdles in 2023 for the Hobbs/White operation; beaten in two points before finishing well held at Stratford recently.

20/1

Form: 6P-362

Last run: 84 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Losing run is mounting up but he did well when third at Cheltenham (good to soft) on his most recent 2m5f run in November and has run creditably over further since; a tough stamina test back at this trip on soft will suit; Harry Cobden 2-4 for yard this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

12:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Paricolor

11st 11lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

Without a win since late 2021 and was struggling for form when last seen; needs a major turnaround in another change of headgear.

14/1

5

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

12:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Paricolor

11st 11lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

Without a win since late 2021 and was struggling for form when last seen; needs a major turnaround in another change of headgear.

14/1

5th

2

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:30 Ffos Las

Paricolor

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Pipe

Has nine hurdle wins on his CV but last success was in December 2021 and he's been pulled up in both runs this spring; mark continues to fall and conditions are no problem but he needs a major turnaround; equipment removed.

10/1

Form: 0-P671 C

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Winner of his only course start, a 2m novice hurdle; had a spell in the wilderness but he galloped on strongly to win in refitted cheekpieces at Wincanton (2m5f, heavy) and although back up 7lb he is still well treated on past form; form claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

16:22 Hexham

Hermes Boy

11st 10lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Russell Ross

A fair winning hurdler at 2m5f but he's offered little in two runs over fences this term, pulled up at Carlisle (2m4f) 24 days ago; others are much preferred.

20/1

5

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 4

16:30 Carlisle

Hermes Boy

11st 9lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Russell Ross

Won over hurdles for Jane Williams last February but struggled on final two runs for that yard and same story when back over fences at Ayr last month on his stable and seasonal debut; others have less to prove.

50/1

5

2nd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

13:10 Ayr

Hermes Boy

11st 8lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Russell Ross

Won over hurdles for Jane Williams last February; however, struggled on final two runs for that yard and he was pulled up in his sole chase in November 2023; sold for £2,000 last May; may be best watched on stable debut.

12/1

Form: P3-1PP D

Last run: 98 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Smart Irish point win but pulled up in both chase starts this winter; hard to assess but he did win a Fontwell maiden (2m5f, good) on his latest hurdle start last May and this mark shouldn't be beyond him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Feb 2026

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:20 Southwell

Hot Rod Lincoln

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nick Scholfield

Beaten a whopping 127l when just 7-2 for Lingfield handicap hurdle (2m7f, heavy; first-time tongue-tie) 13 days ago; that's an obvious concern but maybe the added headgear backfired and he won off just 1lb lower at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) on his last chase start for Simon Hodgson about a year ago; Sean Bowen (4-5 for this yard) is an interesting jockey booking.

5/1

4th

2

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Lingfield

Hot Rod Lincoln

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Nick Scholfield

No trip or ground issues but consistency has been an issue over several years' fitful campaigning, and while this is easier than the C&D 0-120 of December's return from another eight months off, it's no certainty he'll step up sufficiently on that 35l last of six; regains headgear.

5/1

Non-runners

Art Approval

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.50
Straight Forecast £18.84
Tricast £185.17
Trifecta £209.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hermes Boy

WEST COUNTRY:

Paricolor

TOPSPEED:

Front View

POSTDATA:

Feivel

The Times:

High Game Royal

The Guardian:

Hot Rod Lincoln

LAMBOURN:

Decorated

RP RATINGS:

Hermes Boy

The Star:

Hermes Boy

Daily Record:

Hermes Boy

The Sun:

Feivel

Daily Mail:

Paricolor

D Express:

Paricolor

Telegraph:

Front View

Daily Mirror:

Front View