February 15 / 14.25 Ascot

14.25

Good To Soft

Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 2m 3f 58y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
ITV
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Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 230-21 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Took well to first-time cheekpieces in C&D contest (good) four weeks ago, taking Ascot form figures to 231 and record over 2m3f to 2-2; could well improve further; respected in the retained headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Altobelli

11st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Won two handicaps in a row at Ascot (2m3f, good) early last year; also effective on soft ground and didn't stay 3m in Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot latest; all of his best form has come at Ascot but he hasn't had many chances to show what he can do elsewhere and he's in the picture on his peak efforts.

7/1

8th

1

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Altobelli

11st 10lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Successful in a couple of useful handicaps at Ascot (2m3f, good) since wearing cheekpieces; open to further progress in the headgear but appears to have a stiff task on these terms and the trip is an unknown.

16/1

Form: 33/2-4 D

Last run: 105 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in novice handicap chase here in sole run this term; good third off 7lb higher in this race two years ago but it's not clear whether he's still capable of the same form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:15 Kempton

Samarrive

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, mistake and lost position 5th

14/1

2

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 58y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Samarrive

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Soundly beaten in novice handicap chase here in sole run this term; good third off 7lb higher in this race two years ago but it's not clear whether he's still capable of the same form.

16/1

4th

1

2nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 2f 175y

Class 3

13:30 Ascot

Samarrive

11st 10lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, hung right after 3 out, weakened after 2 out

11/4

Form: -P7053 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 8yo; steadily finding his form for new yard, eyecatching third under 7lb claimer at Wetherby (2m3f) most recently; interesting off a workable mark with Harry Skelton taking over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

14:35 Uttoxeter

Joyeux Machin

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Appreciated eased in grade at Bangor (3m, good to soft) six weeks ago, winning readily by 10l; contests deeper race here but probably still on workable mark after 5lb rise, and quicker ground also suits.

9/2

1st

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Joyeux Machin

12st 2lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Exposed ex-Irish gelding who has yet to score for Dan Skelton (0-10); however, he has been contesting stronger races and was going nicely in clear lead when falling six out in major handicap chase at Doncaster (3m, soft; fine on good) in January; his subsequent Ascot run needs forgiving but that was a Class 1 race.

5/2

9th

6

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Joyeux Machin

10st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Record of 0-9 for current yard but he ran well over hurdles on this card last year; still going nicely in clear lead when falling six out in major handicap chase at Doncaster (3m, soft) most recently; shortlisted.

7/2

Form: /1-715 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 6yo whose form for new stable features a ready win at Doncaster (2m3f, good); backward step last time; still has low mileage and could rebound if aided by the fitting of tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 3

14:08 Kempton

Rightsotom

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Joe Tizzard

Two wins over hurdles (good/yielding); useful form in defeat over fences this season, cutting out a lot of the running before fading into third over the extended 2m4f here (good to soft) last time; shaped similarly over 2m3f at Doncaster in December and this slightly shorter trip could suit.

7/1

3rd

6

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:07 Kempton

Rightsotom

11st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Joe Tizzard

Successful twice over hurdles; novice chase form this season includes a Grade 2 effort (2m4f); starting to weaken when taking a late fall over 2m6f most recently; interesting off current mark back down in distance.

13/2

9th

4

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 3

13:10 Cheltenham

Rightsotom

11st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Mixed form in handicap hurdles last season but he won at Doncaster (2m3f, good) last November and was third of 14 here (2m4f, good) in April when last seen; has shown promise on soft ground; not bred for fences but this prominent racer is not discounted on his chase debut.

14/1

Form: -U81U1 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Reverted to hurdles (from fences) last time and that easy success at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) took his form figures in this sphere to 1222F21; consistent and may well remain competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

15:50 Market Rasen

Classic King

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Better known as a hurdler and has had some jumping issues over fences (even when he won) but he kept on well for clear second in first-time cheekpieces at Stratford (2m6f, good) six weeks ago and gets another chance off the same mark here.

9/4

2nd

1

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Classic King

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Scored over fences at Doncaster (2m3f) last term; in good nick without winning over hurdles this season until 17th in Pertemps Hurdle at Cheltenham 16 days ago; back chasing here with cheekpieces fitted and no forlorn hope.

5/2

17th

10

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Classic King

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Did well at 2m3f-2m5f when reverting to hurdles for his last three starts last season; not quite so good this term and he did not shout stamina when upped to 3m for last two outings; others have more compelling claims.

25/1

Form: 5-F643

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Raced too freely kept to 2m4f last time and needs to settle better; still seeking first success beyond 2m and doesn't look the percentage call in this competitive event.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

20th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Spirit DAunou

10st 5lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

took keen hold, disputed lead at fast pace, chased clear leader before 6th

10/1

10

20th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Spirit DAunou

10st 5lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

took keen hold, disputed lead at fast pace, chased clear leader before 6th

10/1

5th

15

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Spirit DAunou

10st 3lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

6yo who is well treated on last season's best form; he showed some spark at Newbury in December but hasn't been at the top of his game this term and was soundly beaten last time; others make greater appeal.

66/1

Form: 1-3546

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Good strike-rate last term; 0-4 this season but has made the frame in two major handicaps at about 2m, shaping as if this new trip is worth exploring; interesting, with improvement possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 0f 69y

Class 4

15:50 Newbury

Tintintin

11st 13lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Close fourth of 17 at in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, good to soft) last March and now 5lb lower; it was his chase debut when pulled up at Lingfield in November but he nevertheless arrives with something to prove regarding his current form; wears first-time cheekpieces.

20/1

12

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

13:15 Cheltenham

Tintintin

11st 1lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Fourth in Greatwood Hurdle here (2m, good) last November and kept on from poor position to fill same spot in Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, good to soft) in March; unexposed over 2m4f but, on balance, others appeal more.

14/1

Form: 114-02 BF

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Dual 2m winner who ran well over 2m2f at Exeter (good to soft) most recently; faces a tougher assignment in this deeper field and the extra yardage isn't sure to help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Into The Park

11st 10lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Ran below his mark even when placing over the winter, and none the wiser as to his staying credentials after a subdued effort behind Tiger Orchid at Wetherby latest (3m); tongue-tie added on this stable debut.

16/1

7th

3

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Into The Park

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Didn't threaten on his two runs last month (2m/2m3f, heavy/good to soft) but those weren't bad performances and it's possible this half-brother to a 3m-3m2f winner will be suited by the step up in trip; on a reduced mark and he's not discounted in first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces).

8/1

4th

2

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 3

15:30 Catterick

Into The Park

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

He hasn't kicked on since going close off 2lb higher on his reappearance at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in October; also effective on soft/good to soft; however, he didn't run badly at Taunton recently and is not ruled out.

9/2

Form: 2-25U2 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Second-season hurdler whose form in two completed handicap attempts stacks up well; very solid second, splitting subsequent winners, at Aintree (2m4f, soft) last time; strong contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Patriotik

11st 0lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Very well handicapped on staying form as recent as last March and it's possible the step back up in trip will be a positive; however, unable to pose a threat across his six runs this season and has to raise his game.

25/1

5th

6

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 3

14:50 Plumpton

Patriotik

11st 2lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Has had a disappointing season so far, beaten 26l+ on first four starts before a more encouraging front-running effort in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Ascot (2m3.5f, soft) nine days ago; 6lb lower than latest win last March and eased in class so hard to dismiss completely.

8/1

6th

8

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:53 Ascot

Patriotik

10st 7lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

In good form last spring but woeful in three runs this season, beaten at least 34l each time; perhaps cheekpieces will rekindle his enthusiasm but he's difficult to recommend unless strong in the market.

16/1

Form: B232F2

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
No match for wide-margin winner in 2m5f novice contest here last time; still a maiden under rules but has possibilities on handicap debut, provided he takes well to first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:32 Worcester

Country Park

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Point winner who is 0-13 under rules; has some useful hurdles form to his name, with his best effort coming on good ground and over a similar trip to this; on a handy mark for this chase debut if better for a recent hurdles start; check the market for clues.

15/2

4th

1

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:00 Chepstow

Country Park

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Now 0-12 under rules and beginning to look exposed; however, he brings the best form to this maiden and was going easily when falling three out at Sedgefield last time (2m1f maiden); unraced beyond 2m5f under rules but this winning pointer should stay.

6/4

2

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

14:21 Market Rasen

Country Park

11st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

0-8 over hurdles but three times runner-up and ran well for fourth on handicap debut at Ascot (2m3f, good) before slipping up early at Aintree in April; the cheekpieces worn the last twice are left at home but he's a major player back in a novice.

11/10

Form: 3-U221 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Made all for comfortable win at Hereford (soft) last month on first attempt over 2m3f; runner-up has boosted that form since; could progress further at this distance and is one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Jour DEvasion

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Completed this season's hat-trick over shorter trips, in lower grades and on softer surfaces; won over a similar trip to this over hurdles but on soft ground that seems to suit him ideally; a good-ground renewal of the Grand Annual proved far too tough last month.

10/1

16

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Jour DEvasion

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

3-4 over fences, the wins coming over 2m1f/2m on heavy/good to soft; clearly knows how to get the job done and he's on an upward curve, but he's 5lb higher than for a narrow win in a small field at Warwick last time and today is a much tougher test of his credentials.

16/1

1st

1

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:05 Warwick

Jour DEvasion

11st 12lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Bang-in-form 7yo who ended 2025 with convincing wins at Bangor (2m1f, heavy) and Chepstow (2m, good to soft); shooting up the weights but won't mind what the weather does here and commands respect in current mood.

6/4

Form: 1UOO43 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in Ascot contests the last twice and ties in with Altobelli on latest effort; far more exposed than that rival, however, and may struggle to reverse the placings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

Moveit Like Minnie

10st 11lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Justified favouritism at Wincanton (2m4f, good) last time, recording a first win over hurdles since 2023; fairly consistent and looks worth a crack at this new trip so may remain competitive; whether he can follow up is a different matter.

10/1

1st

7

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 179y

Class 3

16:57 Wincanton

Moveit Like Minnie

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Not quite in peak form this season but has still made the frame in some good-quality contests, most recently when close fourth of 15 at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) last month; in calmer waters here and will be suited by the faster ground; leading claims.

7/2

4th

15

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Moveit Like Minnie

10st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Largely consistent record at Ascot includes a sixth-place finish in this contest last year and placed effort in latest start; on a 13-race losing sequence but should give his running.

11/1

Non-runners

La Pinsonniere, Spirit dAunou, Tapley

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Altobelli

POSTDATA:

Classic King

LAMBOURN:

La Pinsonniere

Daily Mail:

Country Park

SPOTLIGHT:

Patriotik

RP RATINGS:

Moveit Like Minnie

The Star:

La Pinsonniere

The Times:

Classic King

Daily Mirror:

Classic King

The Sun:

Classic King

WEST COUNTRY:

Altobelli

Telegraph:

Altobelli

The Guardian:

Altobelli

D Express:

Altobelli

Daily Record:

Altobelli