January 01 / 14.40 Cheltenham

14.40

Soft

Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 2m 7f 213y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
ITV
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Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: P9-211 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Has come to himself in a major way in recent weeks, winning from the front at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) and Bangor (2m7f, soft); up another 9lb but those were dominant displays.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Strackan

10st 8lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

prominent, pecked on landing 1st

16/1

5th

10

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 2

15:33 Exeter

Strackan

11st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Has come to himself in a major way this autumn/winter, winning from the front at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft), Bangor (2m7f, soft) and Cheltenham (3m, soft); they were dominant displays on first two occasions and he kept finding more on latest; up another 6lb but remains of major interest.

11/2

5th

10

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 2

15:33 Exeter

Strackan

11st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Has come to himself in a major way this autumn/winter, winning from the front at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft), Bangor (2m7f, soft) and Cheltenham (3m, soft); they were dominant displays on first two occasions and he kept finding more on latest; up another 6lb but remains of major interest.

11/2

6/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 2-4411 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Probably acts on soft; claimer ridden on last two starts when registering the first wins of his career in a handicap over fences at Chepstow (2m7f, good) and another over hurdles at Doncaster (3m, good to soft); 7lb higher than last time but seems to have turned a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 12lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Rebecca Curtis

Not wholly straightforward, but appreciated the return to hurdling sufficiently to record a new personal best in victory at Uttoxeter latest (2m7f, good to soft); blinkers debuted there will need to work at least as well now returned to his previous highest mark; has won on good.

11/2

1st

8

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 8lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Rebecca Curtis

Completed a double over hurdles at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in November 2024 but he's been up and down since and was pulled up over fences at Chepstow (11-4 favourite) last month; new headgear is now tried and he comes with risks attached back in this sphere.

6/1

7

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:45 Chepstow

Idefix De Ciergues

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Won over C&D (good) last season and has made the frame all three hurdling starts this term, the latest here (2m7f, good to soft) in December; seems versatile ground-wise and, from a workable mark, probably won't be far away.

6/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 31-263

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Had wind surgery before penultimate start; due to have this tongue-tie first time at Market Rasen (near 3m, soft) five weeks ago but ran without it and was back to form in a close third of seven; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

What A Johnny

10st 3lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Olly Murphy

Unraced on heavy under rules; given wind surgery in September and has had three races since, creditable third on soft over 2m7f/3m on last two occasions and he passed four rivals in the closing stages at Cheltenham latest (finished just behind Idefix De Ciergues); tongue tied that day and now tries cheekpieces as well; they need to prompt a career best.

7/1

10

1st Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:07 Sandown

What A Johnny

10st 3lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Olly Murphy

Unraced on heavy under rules; given wind surgery in September and has had three races since, creditable third on soft over 2m7f/3m on last two occasions and he passed four rivals in the closing stages at Cheltenham latest (finished just behind Idefix De Ciergues); tongue tied that day and now tries cheekpieces as well; they need to prompt a career best.

7/1

3rd

7

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

14:40 Cheltenham

What A Johnny

10st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Had wind surgery before penultimate start; due to have this tongue-tie first time at Market Rasen (near 3m, soft) five weeks ago but ran without it and was back to form in a close third of seven; in the mix.

5/1

Form: P11-22 D BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won last spring on first two starts for this yard and good second on both runs in the autumn, most recently in 15-runner Grade 3 handicap at Haydock; all four of those races were on soft or heavy (under amateur or claimer) and he stays 3m well; rising in the weights but should be on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

One Big Bang

11st 9lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Fifth in last year's Pertemps Final here as a staying hurdler and also ran well here when he had no answer to Wade Out after the final fence in November (3m1f, soft) on chase debut; readily beat a useful rival in a match at Southwell (3m, good to soft) next time and 2m3f offers an excuse for latest start, so he might be capable of better, which is needed.

9/1

3rd

2

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 3

13:15 Doncaster

One Big Bang

11st 8lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Talented staying hurdler who was a good Listed second on his chase debut at Cheltenham (3m1f, soft) in November, and readily beat a useful rival in a match at Southwell (3m, good to soft) last month; drops back in trip today but there can be optimism he'll cope and he's a leading contender.

6/4

3rd

20

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

One Big Bang

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Career-best to beat Doddiethegreat in a Pertemps Qualifier at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) and didn't run at all badly in the Final; couldn't dismiss with Sean Bowen taking over for the first time.

14/1

Form: F-5105

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Winner on soft ground in his Irish and French days; two runs this autumn for new yard and took a step back in the right direction when fifth of 12 at Cheltenham (3m, good) in November latest, having been last two out; has the same mark today but he's of renewed interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Deep Cave

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

3m hat-trick in 2025 started with a success over hurdles at Aintree (good) in April before two chase wins late in the year; three marked backward steps over fences since but he's well handicapped on best chase efforts.

16/1

39

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Deep Cave

10st 2lb

T: Christian Williams

Reserve; won a handicap hurdle at this meeting last year, plus over fences at Bangor in November and Ascot in December, all over about 3m; backward steps in two further useful handicap chases, which he needs to reverse in a major way, but arriving late on the scene for those wins offers some potential for going beyond 3m; 3lb out of the handicap.

100/1

10

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Deep Cave

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

3m hat-trick in 2025 started with a success over hurdles on this card (good) and ended with nabbing Leave Of Absence on the line in notable handicap chase at Ascot (good to soft); couple of backward steps since but a bad early error, and perhaps losing a shoe, contributed to a poor effort last time; may well rebound on a significant day in his calendar.

6/1

Form: 121-1P D

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Won three of his first four handicaps, including over 3m on soft (two shorter wins were on heavy); that made him second favourite for Grade 3 handicap at Haydock (3m, soft; One Big Bang runner-up) in November but he went to nothing from entering the straight and was pulled up; needs to prove that was just a hiccup.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

19

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Catch Him Derry

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Gained a fourth handicap hurdle success when roaring back to form with a clearcut win at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft; Jeriko Du Reponet third) in February; backed that up with a fine third (Jeriko Du Reponet second) of 24 to Doddiethegreat in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft), faring best of those held up; yard is seeking a fourth win in this since 2019.

9/2

5th

19

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Catch Him Derry

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Gained a fourth handicap hurdle success when roaring back to form with a clearcut win at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft; Jeriko Du Reponet third) in February; backed that up with a fine third (Jeriko Du Reponet second) of 24 to Doddiethegreat in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft), faring best of those held up; yard is seeking a fourth win in this since 2019.

9/2

16/1

Form: 025-2P D

Last run: 39 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Runner-up off this mark in Festival chase here (3m1f, heavy) last March; creditable second of four in Grade 2 hurdle at Wetherby (3m, good) on reappearance but tired badly and pulled up when wearing first-time cheekpieces in handicap at Haydock (3m, soft) later in November; the cheekpieces are removed but that latest run is still a worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

23rd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 2

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Twig

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Second at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and he started last season with two wins, including a gritty success in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f); struggled in the Grand National last month but he's now only 2lb higher than for his last win and looks interesting on this drop back in trip and class; last success was on soft but most of his wins have been on good ground.

5/2

15th

34

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Twig

10st 4lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Second at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and started this season with two wins, notably by a short head from Mr Vango in the 3m2f Becher over these fences (wore cheekpieces second time); warmed up for this over hurdles after three months off; the Becher performance was doughty stuff but his only go at a marathon trip was last year's National in which he finished a remote tenth, always behind.

40/1

7th

4

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Twig

11st 7lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Useful chaser who is 2-2 this season, latest success in notable race at Aintree; however, lower mark over hurdles reflects his level in this sphere and main target is again the Grand National next month.

20/1

Form: 0/P17- D

Last run: 342 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Did well returned to hurdling early in 2023 and also won at Market Rasen (1lb higher today) that November; his only run since was a modest show in January 2024 but he has a pretty good record returning from layoffs and is effective in the mud.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 5

17:10 Newbury

Itchy Feet

11st 12lb

J: Mr James King

T: Olly Murphy

Grade 1 winner over fences in 2020 and still smart in 2023; now has a bit to prove after finishing tailed off in two staying handicap hurdles following a year on the sidelines; not sure what to expect on this hunter chase debut but, with his CV, he's dangerous to dismiss.

3/1

6th

3

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 2

14:30 Huntingdon

Itchy Feet

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

midfield, outpaced and dropped to rear 8th, weakening when hit 3 out, tailed off

12/1

6th

3

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 2

14:30 Huntingdon

Itchy Feet

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

midfield, outpaced and dropped to rear 8th, weakening when hit 3 out

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 8/2567 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Seven-time hurdle winner, always on good ground but similar form in the odd run on softer; returned from a long absence with three very unconvincing chase runs this season and another heavy defeat back over hurdles here 19 days ago, despite an attractive mark; tongue tied last time and today.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.80
Straight Forecast £32.52
Tricast £134.53
Trifecta £148.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Strackan

TOPSPEED:

One Big Bang

The Sun:

Deep Cave

Daily Record:

Idefix De Ciergues

POSTDATA:

Twig

RP RATINGS:

Strackan

Telegraph:

Strackan

Daily Mirror:

Strackan

The Star:

Strackan

The Times:

One Big Bang

The Guardian:

One Big Bang

Daily Mail:

One Big Bang

D Express:

One Big Bang