March 25 / 14.20 Exeter

14.20

Soft

Hall Down Hill Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 3f 48y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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Hall Down Hill Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 54958

Last run: 102 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in first two handicap hurdles and soft ground would possibly be a negative; however, this lightly raced 6yo won two point-to-points early last year (2m4f, good to firm/good to soft) and could relish this switch to fences; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

14:50 Wincanton

Joe Cotton

12st 1lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Jeremy Scott

Won at Fontwell (2m3f, good) last March and he finished in the first three in his next five starts; still looks on workable mark but he had a rare blip at Windsor (2m6f, soft) last month and he's never raced at shorter than 2m3f; bit to prove and others are preferred.

9/2

7th

11

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 3

16:05 Windsor

Joe Cotton

10st 10lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

Consistent sort who won at Fontwell (2m3f, good) last March and has been in the first three on all five starts since, most recently runner-up here (2m4f, good); stays this far and versatile ground-wise; each-way player.

10/1

9

29th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:23 Newton Abbot

Joe Cotton

11st 0lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Jeremy Scott

First-time blinkers did the trick when scoring at Fontwell (2m3f, good) in March and he was short of room at a crucial stage when close third at Plumpton (2m4f) the following month; now 8lb higher than for his last win but he's a reliable type who still has potential in this sphere; respected on his return.

6/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 351351 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Has easily made all in two of his last four starts (2m3f/2m1f, soft), including here in December; he's inconsistent and up 10lb for last time, while there's a change of headgear too (hasn't shone in cheekpieces previously), but he'll be tough to catch if repeating his latest fine form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

19th Jul 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:50 Newton Abbot

Time To Bite

12st 1lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Better chaser than hurdler and forgiven latest heavy defeat in a strong handicap; his last hurdle run was four starts back when beaten a neck at Wincanton (2m5f, good); could run well, though some stamina reservations over quite this far.

13/2

10th

9

28th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:27 Uttoxeter

Time To Bite

10st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Chase record is 9-35, the most recent win in veterans' event at Fakenham (3m, good) on penultimate start; consistent sort but faces a stiffer task off current mark in this valuable and competitive affair; similar type to Hold Your Fort.

20/1

3rd

2

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:53 Newton Abbot

Time To Bite

11st 13lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Admirable veteran who recorded his ninth chase win when making all to score from 2lb out of the weights at Fakenham (3m, good) this month; this is tougher off 4lb higher but he seems as good as ever as an 11yo and three of his wins have come at this track; key player.

9/4

14/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 3-9924 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
6yo chasing newcomer who has won just one of his 16 starts and was tailed off over hurdles at Huntingdon (3m1f, soft) three weeks ago; however, he won at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last March and was a good second at Huntingdon (3m1f, soft) last month; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

19th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

15:40 Newton Abbot

Watchoutitscookie

10st 3lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

1-12 as a chaser; good and bad in his last six races over hurdles, finishing tailed off in the last two; risky.

8/1

11th

12

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:37 Perth

Watchoutitscookie

10st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Nigel Hawke

2m4f hurdle and 2m7f chase winner (once each) from 35 races; his last win was in 2024 but bits of form this year, including penultimate start, give him an each-way chance.

10/1

7th

10

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:50 Hexham

Watchoutitscookie

10st 6lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Nigel Hawke

2m4f hurdle and 2m7f chase winner (both good to soft); has struggled with consistency, but a leading player if reproducing his latest third of eight at Exeter last month.

9/2

Form: 2-P754 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
In good form over hurdles last spring and he's well treated on that form; however, this 10yo hasn't been at his best this season, including back in a chase last time, and he's never really convinced over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Samtara

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Marshall

T: Ms Claire Hart

1-31 and not always a strong finisher under rules previously, but really dug in to wrest the prize back at Mollington latest (2m4f, good to firm); plenty to find on peak ratings but confidence restored at least.

33/1

5

30th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

20:45 Stratford

Samtara

11st 12lb

J: Mr Charlie Marshall

T: Ms Claire Hart

1-31 and not always a strong finisher under rules previously, but really dug in to wrest the prize back at Mollington latest (2m4f, good to firm); plenty to find on peak ratings but confidence restored at least.

33/1

8th

7

30th May 2024

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

18:10 Warwick

Samtara

11st 4lb

J: Mr Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Not the best of strike-rates but sound run when second over fences at Huntingdon last time (2m7f, good); well handicapped at present; a possible back hurdling.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 77-445 C

Last run: 37 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Encouraging fourth here (3m, good to soft) last November on second chase start when not seeing out the trip; below par at Wincanton since but he seems to like it here and his hurdle win came at this venue (2m, heavy); could bounce back with a big run now returned to Exeter.
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: 7S22U2 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) last November and running well there this year (2m/2m4f, soft); the different track and switch to fences are the question marks today, but his pedigree offers hope for chasing and he's a major player if his good form continues; cheekpieces go on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:45 Wincanton

Birdman Bob

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Andy Irvine

in rear, not fluent 4th

11/2

Form: 9P7-PP

Last run: 116 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Point winner who also showed promise in novice hurdles in late-2022; however, he struggled in handicap hurdles early last year and it's been the same story this season on his first two chase starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

19:47 Fontwell

Grey Dalco

11st 2lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Richard Rowe

always behind, tailed off

25/1

10th

7

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

19:47 Fontwell

Grey Dalco

11st 2lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Richard Rowe

Went the wrong way over hurdles and pulled up in all four of his chases; absent for a year.

25/1

5

25th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Warwick

Grey Dalco

11st 7lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Richard Rowe

Became disappointing over hurdles towards end of last season and has been pulled up in all three chases this term (2m3f-2m4f); moves back up in trip with huge amount to prove.

20/1

Form: 2-P575

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
0-10 but good second in handicap hurdle at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) last April and ran well when fifth on chase debut at Leicester (2m4f, soft) in January, when in front jumping the final fence; could be aided by the slightly shorter trip today and this 6yo is one to be interested in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:55 Uttoxeter

Rajjamataz

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Ran better than finishing position suggests when fifth of seven in first-time blinkers at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) in August but was quickly back in the doldrums over C&D last month and can't be relied upon.

20/1

3

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:55 Uttoxeter

Rajjamataz

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Ran better than finishing position suggests when fifth of seven in first-time blinkers at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) in August but was quickly back in the doldrums over C&D last month and can't be relied upon.

20/1

2

16th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Uttoxeter

Rajjamataz

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Returned to form in new blinkers at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) last month, where he finished only fifth of seven but was right in the thick of things until fading after the last fence; still on a good mark; shortlisted.

12/1

Form: 0U/P4P

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Very lightly raced 7yo who, relative to this lowly mark, ran okay when 28l fourth in maiden hurdle here (2m2f, heavy) in January; however, he's since been pulled up at Leicester (2m4f, soft) on his handicap debut and has something to prove on this first chase start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

7th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:42 Southwell

Wotastunner

10st 12lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

Opposable on his achievements to date, including chase debut latest; unraced on good ground so that offers some hope.

50/1

8

7th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:42 Southwell

Wotastunner

10st 12lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

Opposable on his achievements to date, including chase debut latest; unraced on good ground so that offers some hope.

50/1

7

25th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

Wotastunner

11st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

Very lightly raced 7yo who, relative to this lowly mark, ran okay when 28l fourth in maiden hurdle here (2m2f, heavy) in January; however, he's since been pulled up at Leicester (2m4f, soft) on his handicap debut and has something to prove on this first chase start.

25/1

Form: 4279PP

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 6yo who has a useful pedigree and is one to watch in the betting on chase debut; however, he's been tailed off/pulled up in his three handicap hurdles and needs to be an entirely different proposition today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

16:30 Hereford

Meranti

10st 3lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Showed staying promise over fences earlier in career but he's been in moderate form since back from an absence, pulling up on last two starts.

25/1

9

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

12:32 Ludlow

Meranti

10st 2lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Sheila Lewis

Can't judge too harshly on last month's pulling up in a Uttoxeter mudbath (only two of ten finished), but two efforts before that fall well short of the required here; blinkers need to prove transformative.

40/1

5th

7

4th Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:32 Warwick

Meranti

10st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Sheila Lewis

Ended string of dismal performances with creditable fourth of 15 over C&D (good) in April 2024 but finished lame that day and we haven't seen him again since.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.30
Straight Forecast £15.63
Tricast £105.11
Trifecta £160.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

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The Times:

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SPOTLIGHT:

Moorland Rambler

Daily Mirror:

Moorland Rambler

Telegraph:

Birdman Bob

D Express:

Birdman Bob

POSTDATA:

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WEST COUNTRY:

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Daily Record:

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