13:45 Exeter

Thursday 1 January 2026

All12:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:00

Thurlestone Hotel Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Miss Ella Herbison⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| CD

Very green when pulled up in novice hurdle at Chepstow on Rules debut earlier this month, but proved a different proposition when causing a 300/1 shock in a C&D maiden 14 days ago. Task will be to back that up turned out only 2 weeks later.

Form: 6-P1

Sober Glory²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 130| BF| CD

Won his sole start in Irish points and showed useful form in going 3-3 in bumpers last season, including a listed event. Impressive start over hurdles at Chepstow on return to action last month. Below expectations in listed race at Sandown last month but still sets a high standard.

Form: 1111-14

Arnie Moon²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Taylor Fisher| T: J Tickle

Fourth on Newton Abbot bumper debut in June but the form is only modest and he was well beaten at Chepstow 5 months later. Always behind on hurdles debut at C&D 4 weeks ago and is hard to fancy.

Form: 490

Devon Paige³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B Le Clerc| T: J D Frost

Showed some ability when sixth of 11 in bumper at Taunton (16.5f, good to firm) on debut 35 days ago but will likely need a huge step forward to make winning hurdles debut.

Form: 6

Dino Moon⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams

Last in a 6-runner Ascot bumper in November and will need to show much more here to figure.

Form: 6

Gambino¹⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: C J Todd| T: D Skelton

Gowran maiden winner on Flat debut for Noel Meade and ran a cracker when runner-up in a handicap there 4 months later. Potentially smart recruit to hurdling for top yard.

Form:

Manhattan Valley²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams

Off mark in Irish points at fourth attempt but looks a long-term project under Rules.

Form: F6/10-98

Nice One Eric³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling

Promise when in the frame in a Worcester bumper and encouragement again when eighth of 15 in novice hurdle (33/1) at Newbury (16.3f, good to soft) on hurdles bow 34 days ago. Should do better, but perhaps over further and with time.

Form: 48

Tobi Kanobee⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: Claire Hitch

Very little sign of ability in a bumper/points in Ireland and fared no better making hurdles bow at C&D in November.

Form: 6PP-680

Non-Runners

Air Apparent²⁷

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: J W Mullins J: Lorcan Williams

Forecasts

Sober Glory (4/11), Gambino (9/2), Blowers (10/1), Nice One Eric (14/1), Dino Moon (25/1), Devon Paige (25/1), Air Apparent (50/1), Manhattan Valley (50/1), Tobi Kanobee (100/1), Arnie Moon (100/1)

SOBER GLORY still rates as a smart prospect and it would be a surprise if he didn't return to winning ways back in this grade. Gambino reached a near-useful level of form in 2 starts on the Flat and has to be respected now hurdling for Dan Skelton, whilst recent 300/1 C&D winner Blowers also has to be considered for all he did seemingly have quite a tough race here only 2 weeks ago.