April 19 / 16.55 Exeter

16.55

Good To Soft

Clifton Inn Newtown Exeter “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 0f 161y
  • Class 4
  • 5 runners
RTV
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Clifton Inn Newtown Exeter “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 6

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of 2m2f hurdle winner in France; had soft ground to contend with on 2m5f debut here last month and he couldn't hold his position; combination of this lesser test and the experience could see much better today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

7th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

16:40 Exeter

Saint Cyr De Pail

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Hurdle/chase winner, over 2m and 2m3f; last to finish when third over 2m3f here 21 days ago and this represents a significant hike in trip.

3/1

3rd

5

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 4

15:30 Exeter

Saint Cyr De Pail

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Early exit here last time made it two non-completions from five chase attempts; successful over C&D in December but that Class 5 race fell apart and only two finished.

4/1

2

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Saint Cyr De Pail

11st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Comfortably beat Valirann Gold over C&D just before Christmas after being left clear three out; never really threatened to follow up off a 7lb higher mark at Wincanton but that was a Class 4; tongue-tie now added; respected.

4/1

Form: 126 D

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Failed to shine in a soft-ground Fontwell novice in January but seen to much better effect on good ground previously, winning a Worcester bumper last June and running to a useful level on hurdle debut at Hereford (2m) in November; the one to beat if the ground proves suitable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

1st Mar 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

14:10 Navan

Johnny Blue

11st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

midfield, brought down 6th

7/2

2nd

4

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 3f 92y

14:30 Punchestown

Johnny Blue

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

midfield early, rushed up and raced in second behind clear leader after 1st, pressed leader 2nd

11/2

2nd

4

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 3f 92y

14:30 Punchestown

Johnny Blue

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

midfield early, rushed up and raced in second behind clear leader after 1st, pressed leader 2nd

11/2

10/1

Form: 784

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In the rear in two bumpers this winter but there was more promise in his hurdle debut at Huntingdon (2m, soft) last month; can progress again with this stiffer test at the trip expected to suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:30 Kelso

Bathgate

11st 5lb

J: Ian Power

T: Philip Kirby

Yet to run well at Kelso (three attempts) and well beaten at Catterick last time; however, he had an excuse (bled from the nose) and he won three times in the winter (2m1f/2m3f, soft/good to soft); not written off.

16/1

6th

4

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 3

15:30 Catterick

Bathgate

11st 6lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Has won over C&D (good to soft/soft) on his last two starts to make it three wins from his last four outings; did it in good style a fortnight ago and a 7lb rise may not stop this thriving 6yo.

11/4

1st

7

9th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

15:00 Catterick

Bathgate

11st 3lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Has won two of his last three races, the latest over C&D last month (good to soft); back up another 4lb (10lb rise in total); each-way contender.

5/1

Form: 6-6506

Last run: 122 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Signs of some ability in a good-ground bumper last spring and perhaps soft ground has held him back in his most recent novice hurdles; handicaps still likely to be the way to go, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

15

15th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Tiger Blade

10st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Harriet Brown

Six-race maiden who has been beaten 40l or more in his four hurdle runs at up to 2m5f; now switches to a handicap but he's out of the weights and needs plenty of progress back up in trip.

33/1

7th

15

15th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Tiger Blade

10st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Harriet Brown

Six-race maiden who has been beaten 40l or more in his four hurdle runs at up to 2m5f; now switches to a handicap but he's out of the weights and needs plenty of progress back up in trip.

33/1

4th

6

19th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

16:55 Exeter

Tiger Blade

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Harriet Brown

held up in rear, outpaced 4th, weakened 3 out, tailed off

150/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of half-sister to high-class Flat stayer Sergeant Cecil and useful chaser Graduation Night but he finished a long way back on his hurdle debut at Taunton last week (250-1); best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18

21st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

16:30 Exeter

Giddy Up

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Kevin Bishop

prominent

100/1

15

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Giddy Up

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Kevin Bishop

Very lightly raced 6yo who is related to winners and makes his handicap/stable debut off a basement mark; however, he showed very little over hurdles last spring and was pulled in a point-to-point in November.

50/1

15

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 179y

Class 5

14:25 Wincanton

Giddy Up

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Kevin Bishop

Very lightly raced 6yo who is related to winners and makes his handicap/stable debut off a basement mark; however, he showed very little over hurdles last spring and was pulled in a point-to-point in November.

50/1

Non-runners

Dunbulcan Bay, Lost In The Mist, Wild Grouse, Reely Delightful

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £9.55

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Johnny Blue

WEST COUNTRY:

Lost In The Mist

RP RATINGS:

Johnny Blue

POSTDATA:

Johnny Blue

LAMBOURN:

Johnny Blue

The Times:

Johnny Blue

Telegraph:

Johnny Blue

The Guardian:

Johnny Blue

Daily Mail:

Johnny Blue

D Express:

Johnny Blue

Daily Mirror:

Johnny Blue

The Sun:

Johnny Blue

The Star:

Johnny Blue

Daily Record:

Johnny Blue