14:55 Exeter

Thursday 1 January 2026

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

PricedUp The Jumps Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Chad Bament⁽⁷⁾| T: T Dennis| OR: 104| CD

Landed a gamble when taking this corresponding race 12 months ago (from a 5 lb lower mark) but ran poorly twice the following month (over fences on first occasion). Bit to prove on return but would be folly to rule out completely.

Form: 16/01P7-

Pachacuti^v1²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Rian Corcoran⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 102

Hit-and-miss since winning back in February 2024 but has slipped to an attractive mark as a result and took a step back in the right direction when third at Ffos Las in November. Let down by jumping at Wetherby since, but interesting back hurdling with more severe headgear enlisted.

Form: P20-P3P

Iris Des Issards^b1³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Joshua Newman⁽⁵⁾| T: K Woollacott| OR: 100| D

Got back on track in refitted cheekpieces when third of 6 in handicap hurdle at Taunton (23.9f, good to firm) 5 weeks ago. Blinkers the headgear of choice this time and will need to sharpen up his jumping is he's to be thereabouts off the same mark.

Form: P41-663

Storming Nelson²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 91| C

Sole win came on this card in 2024 and showed signs of revival recently after a poor spell lasting most of last year, finishing third of 7 at Fontwell 24 days ago when looking likely to win before heading for paddock exit after the last hurdle. Sure to be in the mix if backing up that effort.

Form: 07P9-43

Dish Of The Day^p²⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 89| BF

Gambled on in first-time cheekpieces and shaped well when third of 13 in handicap hurdle at Stratford (18.7f) in March. Off since but yard among the winners so he merits consideration with headgear retained.

Form: P/F06P3-

Vengeance^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: James Best| T: J D Frost| OR: 87

A fair maiden hurdler at his best but off 20 months before being pulled up on his yard debut here in November. Ran a lot better up 1m in trip at Wincanton (24.7f, soft) the following month (tongue tied) and he's likely to find a few too good.

Form: 0506/P4

Man Oh Man³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Ben Jones| T: D Summersby| OR: 82

Winless but shaped reasonably well when third of 13 in handicap hurdle over 19f at Taunton (17/2) 5 weeks ago, catching the eye with move into contention but unable to sustain it. Nudged up 1 lb but not ruled out.

Form: PPP/P-63

Watchoutitscookie⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: James Davies| T: N J Hawke| OR: 78

Not the easiest to catch right but he posted a good second of 14 in handicap hurdle at Wincanton (19.8f, good) 6 weeks ago. Needs to back it up now off a 4 lb higher mark.

Form: F0-2482

William Philo^p³⁰⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: B Lund| OR: 75| D

Resumed with a good second in this corresponding race 12 months ago but little impact all 3 subsequent starts (back over fences on latest). Makes return from 10 months off and tough to see him involved from 3 lb out of the weights.

Form: 6P/289P-

Freddie Fleetfoot²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Mr Jack Stenhouse⁽⁷⁾| T: C J Gray| OR: 73

Runner-up over at Taunton in April 2024 and has shown he retains his ability since returning from an absence. Not so good back there last time and looks to have plenty on his plate from 5 lb out of the weights upped in trip.

Form: 024/U48

Forecasts

Watchoutitscookie (7/2), Storming Nelson (4/1), Dish Of The Day (9/2), Man Oh Man (5/1), Iris Des Issards (7/1), Pachacuti (8/1), Vengeance (12/1), Looking For Larry (16/1), Freddie Fleetfoot (20/1), William Philo (33/1)

A few in with a squeak but the vote goes to PACHACUTI, who has been rather hit-and-miss in recent times but a return to hurdling combined with more severe headgear could be just what David Pipe's charge requires. Storming Nelson looked likely to win before heading for paddock exit after the last at Fontwell recently so he can give the selection most to think about, with Dish of The Day and last year's victor Looking For Larry completing the shortlist.