14:20 Exeter

Thursday 1 January 2026

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

PricedUp The Jumps Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Joshua Newman⁽⁵⁾| T: K Woollacott| OR: 105| C

Back on the scoreboard when landing 14-runner handicap hurdle at Wincanton (19.8f, good) in November. This further step back up in trip looks a good move on that evidence and 5 lb rise should be manageable.

Form: 1626-01

Hillsin³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Edward Vaughan⁽⁷⁾| T: A E Jones| OR: 103| C

Still going well when falling 3 out at Stratford on final run for Richard Hawker in May and, having rejoined his former yard since, gained compensation on return here (18.5f, good) in October. That wasn't much of a race, though, and he subsequently failed to fire at Hereford.

Form: 7P-3F10

Shuil Ceoil^v1⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 98| CD

Took advantage of reduced mark when striking back in this sphere at Fontwell (21.8f, soft) in January. Decent second at the same course next time and, though below par since, he will be a serious player if the first-time visor has the desired effect.

Form: 4125-03

Benignitas²⁹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Rian Corcoran⁽⁷⁾| T: Gordon Treacy| OR: 97

Point winner in January 2023 and showed ability in 2 starts switched to hurdles at Chepstow last season. This stiffer test will be in her favour now pitched into a handicap and she could be a threat if fully tuned-up following 9 months off.

Form: 41/P333-

Weseekherthere^b1²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 90

Winner of a bumper and maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott in Ireland. Runner-up in Hereford handicap hurdle for this yard in November 2023, but few positives to take from her 4 subsequent starts and hopes now pinned on the first-time blinkers sparking a return to form.

Form: 027/5-75

Locked Down Lad³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Taylor Fisher| T: J Tickle| OR: 89

Winner of sole start between the flags and though yet to get his head in front under Rules, he has finished in the money on each of his 5 starts since switched to handicaps. Entitled to have a say in the finish.

Form: 423323

Blue In The West²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: B Lund| OR: 85

Point winner but remains a maiden under Rules following 21 attempts overall and he looks vulnerable once more.

Form: 4F4746

Moonlight Artist^p,t⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 81| C

Opened chase account over 3m at Warwick in the spring but hasn't troubled the judge since and latest run in this sphere was poor.

Form: 1-45547

The Longest Day^p,t²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Roisin Leech⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 77

Lightly-raced since scoring twice at Perth in 2023 and has taken steps in the wrong direction subsequent to his reappearance third in a Newton Abbot selling handicap on return in September. Opposable.

Form: 46-34U0

Bollin Thou^p¹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Kielan Woods| T: Nick Scholfield| OR: 76

Improved again under Sean Bowen to justify strong market support in comprehensive style at Uttoxeter (23f) on Wednesday. Might be well treated under a penalty.

Form: 889-P41

Poet's Reflection³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: Miss L Blackford| OR: 66

Poor strike rate (1-31 overall) and pulled up both starts since returning from a break in November.

Form: 8/PU-PPP

Forecasts

Our Dylan (9/4), Benignitas (5/1), Bollin Thou (11/2), Locked Down Lad (7/1), Hillsin (15/2), Blue In The West (8/1), Moonlight Artist (8/1), Shuil Ceoil (12/1), Weseekherthere (25/1), The Longest Day (100/1), Poet's Reflection (100/1)

A chance is taken on SHUIL CEOIL, who has edged back down the weights (now 2 lb above his last winning mark) and the fact that he has responded well to new headgear in the past offers hope that the first-time visor will help bring about a return to form. Our Dylan looked better than ever when scoring at Wincanton and he has to be respected, while Locked Down Lad is third choice ahead of handicap debutante Benignitas.