November 08 / 13.15 Exeter

13.15

Good

West Country Weekend Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £9530.5
  • 2m 0f 161y
  • Class 2
  • 3 runners
ITV4
View Course
West Country Weekend Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 3 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 3315-2 D BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Given his good bumper form (only 4l away in Aintree's Grade 2) it was disappointing to see him turned over at odds-on here last month, though according to his trainer he wasn't fit and has come on for the run; holds Wellington Arch on that Aintree form and he'll be hard to beat if okay on the ground (all runs on good to soft or slower).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

26th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:20 Sandown

Sorceleur

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Two novice wins in November and generally consistent otherwise; ties in with some of these rivals on Sandown (Imperial Cup) and Southwell form the last twice; solid contender who should give his running.

6/1

9th

9

26th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:20 Sandown

Sorceleur

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Two novice wins in November and generally consistent otherwise; ties in with some of these rivals on Sandown (Imperial Cup) and Southwell form the last twice; solid contender who should give his running.

6/1

3rd

2

15th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:15 Southwell

Sorceleur

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, lost ground when not fluent last, weakened and lost position run-in

7/2

Form: 1340- D

Last run: 209 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Debut bumper winner who ran promising races in defeat at Ascot (good) and Sandown (good to soft) before struggling as a 100-1 chance in the Grade 2 at Aintree in April when well behind Sorceleur; with the latter having the benefit of a run, he'll do well to reverse those placings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Wellington Arch

11st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Justified favouritism in 2m4f event at Uttoxeter (soft) on Midlands National day, going one better than 12 months earlier and setting himself up perfectly for an attempt to win this prize for the second year running; current mark reflects his advancement; again a big player.

9/1

1st

1

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Wellington Arch

12st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Second in this race last year off 12lb lower, he went on to win at the Aintree Festival last April; confirmed his wellbeing when second in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury five weeks ago and should run well.

4/1

26

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Wellington Arch

10st 4lb

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Reserve; won 2m4f handicap at last season's Aintree Grand National meeting (good to soft) before third at Punchestown; disappointing when favourite on Windsor reappearance but back on his game when best of the rest behind Tutti Quanti in valuable 2m Newbury handicap (heavy) last month.

28/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
1m4f AW winner in early 2023, since when she's gone 0-11; plied her trade at a lowly level on the Flat and shouldn't be good enough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

8th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

18:00 Uttoxeter

Kingston Joy

10st 9lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Kevin Bishop

Modest Flat performer and going the same way over hurdles; held by Hope Rising.

150/1

7th

9

14th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

17:40 Uttoxeter

Kingston Joy

10st 10lb

J: James Best

T: Kevin Bishop

Had modest strike-rate as a low-grade Flat handicapper (mainly on AW) and was pulled up on both hurdling starts for new stable last year; had wind surgery during subsequent 170-day break.

100/1

Non-runners

Yhprums Law

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Sorceleur

RP RATINGS:

Yhprum's Law

D Express:

Wellington Arch

POSTDATA:

Yhprum's Law

Telegraph:

Yhprum's Law

Daily Mail:

Yhprum's Law

Daily Mirror:

Yhprum's Law

WEST COUNTRY:

Sorceleur

The Times:

Sorceleur

The Guardian:

Sorceleur

The Sun:

Sorceleur

The Star:

Sorceleur

Daily Record:

Sorceleur