Exeter Racecourse: preview and tips for Friday’s afternoon jumps card

Read below for the latest tips and a full preview of the Exeter card on Friday, courtesy of Betway, who also offer the latest Cheltenham Festival betting.

The action begins at 2.10pm with a two-mile, one-and-a-half-furlong novices’ limited handicap chase and concludes at 5.22pm with a handicap hurdle over two miles and seven furlongs.

Race-by-race breakdown and tips

2.10 – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m 1½f)
A small but competitive field of three runners lines up for the opener, and the vote goes to Soul Icon, the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Handicap Chase winner at Kempton over Christmas. He struggled at Cheltenham on Trials Day, but his Kempton success over Edwardstone is strong form. With Exeter’s good-to-soft ground in his favour and a workable mark of 145, he looks the one to beat.

2.40 – Maiden Hurdle (2m ½f)
Trainer Warren Greatrex has described Good And Clever as “the best maiden on both sides of the sea”, and the form backs that up. He finished third at the Dublin Racing Festival behind Kopek Des Bordes, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite, and also has strong form against Horaces Pearl, Tripoli Flyer, and Potters Charm. His odds reflect the confidence behind him, and he should be winning this.

3.10 – Handicap Hurdle (2m ½f)
A field of unexposed types could make this a tricky betting puzzle, but Imaginarium stands out. Tried in Grade 2 company earlier this season, he failed to shine behind Valgrand and Tutti Quanti but thrived on his handicap debut at Huntingdon, winning off 110. Given his Flat rating of 90, a revised mark of 116 still looks manageable for the Olly Murphy-Sean Bowen combination.

3.45 – Handicap Chase (2m 3f)
Largy Force looks a solid pick for Warren Greatrex, who could be in line for a double on the card. She has been consistent since her debut, and her handicap mark remains unchanged. She finished third to Salt Rock, a subsequent Doncaster winner, before an unlucky run at Leicester when losing her jockey’s whip mid-race. With a cleaner round of jumping, she should be in the mix.

4.20 – Handicap Chase (3m)
The unexposed Another Lord could land a nice prize for the Bowen family. Trained by Peter & Michael Bowen, with James Bowen in the saddle, the seven-year-old won over hurdles at Hereford in March 2024 before making an encouraging chase debut at Uttoxeter. He did little in maiden hurdles, suggesting there could be plenty more to come off his current mark of 92.

4.50 – Handicap Hurdle (2m 2½f)
Trainer Joe Tizzard may have Sweet Caryline primed for a big run. She put in a promising effort at Kempton last month on her first start since a wind operation and has form in the book. She won her handicap debut at Fontwell off 95, and her novice hurdle second to Huelgoat (now rated 124) reads well. With conditions in her favour, she should go close.

5.22 – Handicap Hurdle (2m 7f)
The finale offers a chance to take a shot at a bigger price, and Rock On Cowboy fits the bill. He showed promise as a novice hurdler in 2022, with form behind Hitching Jacking and Inch House. After a 667-day absence, he returned in January 2025 and shaped well at Sedgefield. Stepping back into handicaps off a mark of 102, with Tom Broughton claiming five pounds, he could outrun his odds.

Friday’s Exeter Racecourse selections

2.10 - Soul Icon
2.40 - Good And Clever
3.10 - Imaginarium
3.45 - Largy Force
4.20 - Another Lord
4.50 - Sweet Caryline
5.22 - Rock On Cowboy

With a Grade 2 winner in action, Cheltenham clues on offer, and some exciting prospects, Friday’s card at Exeter Racecourse promises plenty of thrills. Can these tips land in style? Tune in and find out.