October 22 / 16.28 Exeter

16.28

Good To Soft

Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow Best Mate Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £8713.65
  • 3m 0f 54y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow Best Mate Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: /6132/ CD

Last run: 606 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Dug deep to win over C&D (good) on chasing debut in November 2022 but seen only twice again since, more recently when well-held second of three here in February 2023; others have less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

15:45 Uttoxeter

Masters Legacy

12st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Well treated on old form but he's been lightly raced since his chase win at Exeter (3m, good) in November 2022; returned from 11 months off with fair fourth at Ascot in November but he was tailed off at Hereford the following month; cheekpieces are now added and he has something to prove after another break.

16/1

Form: P/PPP- C

Last run: 183 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Three-time chase winner; looked out of sorts when pulled up on all three appearances last season but resumes on a dangerous mark and may have been revitalised by a six-month break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:45 Ludlow

Bobhopeornohope

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

led, clear before 5th

7/1

5

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:45 Ludlow

Bobhopeornohope

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

led, clear before 5th

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 23235-

Last run: 194 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Very useful handicapper on good ground in his prime but 0-3 in hunter chases towards end of last season (twice beaten at very short odds) and returns from 194-day absence with a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

8th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

15:35 Exeter

Tea Clipper

11st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Very useful handicapper on good ground but he's 1-17 over fences and fluffed some very winnable opportunities last season in hunter chases; ran okay in a C&D handicap last month but he's rarely the percentage call and now tries a visor.

8/1

Form: 26134- D

Last run: 185 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Not an instant success over fences last season but won by 10l in first-time cheekpieces at Newbury (2m6f, good to soft) in January and signed off with creditable fourth in valuable novices' handicap at Ayr (3m, soft) in April; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Abuffalosoldier

10st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Front-runner who reappeared with a rallying second at Exeter (3m, good to soft) last month and he's back in cheekpieces today, in which he showed improved form earlier this year (including 10l win at Newbury); only seven and there's every chance this trip will be within range; one to consider.

11/2

1st

9

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Abuffalosoldier

10st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

jumped well, made all, kept on well, ridden out, collapsed after finish, heart attack

11/2

4

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

16:28 Exeter

Abuffalosoldier

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Not an instant success over fences last season but won by 10l in first-time cheekpieces at Newbury (2m6f, good to soft) in January and signed off with creditable fourth in valuable novices' handicap at Ayr (3m, soft) in April; respected.

3/1

Form: 368/25 C

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Seven-time winner over hurdles (once here) but, following a long absence, has disappointed in two chases this season (jumped left throughout both times); back on a right-handed track today; others look much less risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

An Tailliur

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed last season and has not fired this term but he's now 14lb below his peak mark and all of his wins have been on good ground; he's been too well beaten for comfort this term, notwithstanding the softer ground, but needs a close look and market check.

7/1

2

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

An Tailliur

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed last season and has not fired this term but he's now 14lb below his peak mark and all of his wins have been on good ground; he's been too well beaten for comfort this term, notwithstanding the softer ground, but needs a close look and market check.

7/1

Form: 33214- D

Last run: 205 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Thorough stayer who gained last season's chasing win at Sandown (3m, good to soft) in March; not quite in same form at Plumpton later that month but has good record when fresh and begins her new campaign on a workable mark; had wind operation in August; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Rose Of Arcadia

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has run well on good ground here and won at Sandown (3m, good to soft) in March; reappeared with solid third at Exeter (3m, good to soft) last month and she should be fine with today's test (albeit well beaten 12 months ago); 2lb out of the handicap but not discounted for bang-in-form yard.

11/1

5th

11

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Rose Of Arcadia

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

prominent, outpaced after 3 out, lost fourth approaching last

11/1

6

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

16:28 Exeter

Rose Of Arcadia

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Thorough stayer who gained last season's chasing win at Sandown (3m, good to soft) in March; not quite in same form at Plumpton later that month but has good record when fresh and begins her new campaign on a workable mark; had wind operation in August; good chance.

4/1

Form: P7852- CD

Last run: 188 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Arrested his decline with good second in first-time blinkers at Cheltenham (3m2f, good) in April and remains well handicapped on older form but the blinkers are missing here and his record when fresh has been poor in recent seasons.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:53 Newton Abbot

Moroder

11st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Seamus Mullins

Six-time chase winner who returned to form with a rallying second at Taunton (3m4f, good) last month; only 1lb higher here and has claims if he can build on that back in trip.

13/2

2nd

1

9th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 85y

Class 4

16:15 Taunton

Moroder

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Seamus Mullins

Six-time chase winner but now appears to be on the downgrade; pulled up when bidding to win the Grimthorpe at Doncaster for the third time in February and was tailed off at Ascot (2m5f, good) 11 days ago; can only be watched at present.

12/1

4th

1

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 13y

Class 4

14:30 Ascot

Moroder

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Seamus Mullins

Ran no race in Doncaster's Grimthorpe last month (3m2f, soft; blinkers returned) and he had a good record in that race; did run quite well there the time before; unwise to focus too much on his reduced mark when clearly not the force of old, but he has returned to winning ways from out of the blue in the past, and he'll enjoy getting back on forecast good ground; earns respect.

12/1

Form: 42517- BF

Last run: 185 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Did not jump well enough when disappointing favourite at Ayr on final start last season but came good over fences with ready win at Newbury (2m6f, good to soft) in March and still has plenty of scope to progress from that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 4

15:40 Fontwell

Maclaine

12st 2lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Now only 1lb higher than for emphatic win at Newbury (2m6f, good to soft) in March 2024 but absent since a lesser effort the following October and entitled to benefit from this outing.

6/1

8

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

16:28 Exeter

Maclaine

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Richard J Bandey

Did not jump well enough when disappointing favourite at Ayr on final start last season but came good over fences with ready win at Newbury (2m6f, good to soft) in March and still has plenty of scope to progress from that performance.

4/1

7th

12

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:50 Ayr

Maclaine

10st 5lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

On a career-high mark after going up 8lb for winning at Newbury (2m6f, good to soft) but impressed with how he jumped and travelled that day (won easily); that was also a new trip for him, offering plenty of encouragement for this far.

8/1

Form: 0315-5 C

Last run: 166 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Kept on gamely to win two-finisher hurdle here (2m5f, heavy) in March but made underwhelming chase debut when only fifth of six at Stratford (2m6f, good) in May and has not raced again since; others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Jupiter Allen

11st 3lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Chester Williams

Won twice as a novice last season and ended up in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham (tailed off after racing freely); this campaign is going well and he should stay okay as he wasn't stopping when runner-up over Exeter's super-stiff 3m6f in December (soft); the race he won at Wincanton last time (3m1f, heavy; cheekpieces returned) rather fell apart but he did hack up and the 6lb rise could been a whole lot worse; it's a nagging concern that all five wins have been on right-handed tracks but there's lots to like otherwise about this 7yo.

9/1

1st

4

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

15:33 Wincanton

Jupiter Allen

11st 0lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Chester Williams

Dual chase winner who goes well in the mud and he could have done with slower ground when a 6l third over C&D on Boxing Day (good to soft); entitled to step up on that effort here and enters the reckoning.

5/2

11th

18

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Jupiter Allen

10st 7lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Scored at Exeter (3m, good to soft) in October on second attempt over fences and brushed two lesser efforts aside with a game, front-running win in first-time cheekpieces at Taunton (2m7f, soft) five weeks ago; up 4lb but stays 3m well and could have more to offer.

50/1

Non-runners

Art Decco

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Abuffalosoldier

SPOTLIGHT:

Rose Of Arcadia

POSTDATA:

An Tailliur

The Sun:

Maclaine

WEST COUNTRY:

Art Decco

Telegraph:

Bobhopeornohope

Daily Record:

Moroder

LAMBOURN:

Abuffalosoldier

The Times:

Abuffalosoldier

The Guardian:

Abuffalosoldier

D Express:

Abuffalosoldier

The Star:

An Tailliur

RP RATINGS:

Rose Of Arcadia

Daily Mail:

Rose Of Arcadia

Daily Mirror:

Rose Of Arcadia