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  1. irishracing.com
  2. Race Cards
  3. Sat, 4th Apr, 2026
  4. Newton Abbot
  5. 2.00
Going - Good. 
View all races Result Odds Compare

Formscan  - Although unable to justify favouritism when finishing third at Doncaster, HARDLY SURPRISING still ran to a decent level. An official rating of 117 suggests that the five-year-old is more than capable of picking up a maiden hurdle and he edges the vote over Dutch Corner. Dan Skelton's gelding arrives on the back of a good second at Exeter and he's likely to be in the thick of the action once more, along with Limier D'arthel.

1
-994
Ask A Sainte (GB) 6,b g 11-6

Ask (GB)-Sainte Fortuna(Zero Problemo)

(109) (Mr David Brace)

Last Three Runs
NH StatisticsRunsWinsPlaces€Level
UK401-4.00

16th Dec 25 Wincanton(1m 7f 50yds Maiden Hurdle, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) 125/1 11-4 Liam Harrison 4th of 18 runners, 15.25L behind Swingin Safari

20th Nov 25 Warwick(2m Maiden Hurdle, Good to Soft-Soft in places) 200/1 11-4 Harry Reed 9th of 13 runners, 58.25L behind Cristal D estruval

25th May 25 Uttoxeter(1m 7f 168yds Bumper, Good (Good to Soft in places)) 13/2 11-2 Connor Brace 9th of 10 runners, 19.76L behind Suspected

2
343
Dante's Rocco (IRE) 5,b g 11-6

Shirocco (GER)-Dante's Queen(King's Theatre)

(12) (Syd Hosie Racing Syndicate-dante's Roc)

Last Three Runs
NH StatisticsRunsWinsPlaces€Level
UK201-2.00
P2P100

23rd Mar 26 Wincanton(1m 7f 50yds Maiden Hurdle, Good) 28/1 11-1 P Hanlon (5) 3rd of 12 runners, 3L and 3.25L behind Stanners Glen and Kilnew Supreme

17th Feb 26 Newbury(2m 4f 118yds Hurdle, Soft (Heavy in places)) 66/1 10-11 P Hanlon (5) 4th of 6 runners, 48L behind Swindon Village

6th Dec 25 Dromahane P(3m Point To Point, Soft) 6/1 11-11 J Dunne 3rd of 12 runners, 5L and 0.5L behind Super Junior and Cascando

3
8-P
Docteur Romeo (FR) 5,b g 11-6

Doctor Dino (FR)-Celtic Air(Kaldounevees)

(29) (Bradley Partnership)

Last Three Runs
NH StatisticsRunsWinsPlaces€Level
UK200-2.00

6th Mar 26 Exeter(2m 161yds Maiden Hurdle, Good to Soft) 40/1 11-5 Sean Houlihan pulled up of 16 runners, in race won by Amatchmadeinheaven

21st Dec 24 Hereford(2m 53yds Bumper, Good to Soft (Soft in places)) 15/2 11-2 David Noonan 8th of 12 runners, 25.75L behind Glancing Jack

Jul 2023 Arqana Price: €40,000

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Docteur Romeo (FR) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Limier D'arthel (FR)1
6th Mar 2026 Exeter(2m 161yds, Maiden Hurdle, Good to Soft) Limier D'arthel (FR) 2nd (8/1 11-2) Callum Pritchard Docteur Romeo (FR) pulled up (40/1 11-5) Sean Houlihan (16 ran)
sp
Mrs Pen (IRE)1
6th Mar 2026 Exeter(2m 161yds, Maiden Hurdle, Good to Soft) Mrs Pen (IRE) 10th (300/1 10-5) Chad Bament Docteur Romeo (FR) pulled up (40/1 11-5) Sean Houlihan (16 ran)
sp
4
-332
Dutch Corner (IRE) 5,ch g 11-6

Getaway (GER)-Lightning Breeze(Saddlers' Hall)

ts4hd4(18) (Mr T Crowe)
Rated 115

Last Three Runs
NH StatisticsRunsWinsPlaces€Level
UK404-4.00

17th Mar 26 Exeter(2m 161yds Maiden Hurdle, Good to Soft) Rated 115 6/5Fav 11-6 Harry Skelton 2nd of 14 runners, 4.75L behind Constellation Walk

14th Jan 26 Newbury(2m 69yds Hurdle, Good to Soft) 11/2 11-2 Harry Skelton 3rd of 11 runners, 13L and 1.25L behind Sober Glory and It s Top

27th Nov 25 Lingfield(2m Hurdle, Good to Soft (Good in places)) 11/1 11-0 Harry Skelton 3rd of 5 runners, 0.75L and 12L behind Mossy Fen Road and Mondo Man

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Dutch Corner (IRE) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Mrs Pen (IRE)1
17th Mar 2026 Exeter(2m 161yds, Maiden Hurdle, Good to Soft) Dutch Corner (IRE) 2nd (6/5Fav 11-6 Rated 115) Harry Skelton 38.56L in front of Mrs Pen (IRE) 9th (200/1 10-6) Chad Bament (14 ran)
sp
5
213
Handmedownastar (IRE) 6,b g 11-6

Diamond Boy (FR)-Breaffy House Lady(Shantou)

(21) (Mr Simon Smode)

Last Three Runs
NH StatisticsRunsWinsPlaces€Level
UK101-1.00
P2P210

14th Mar 26 Fontwell(2m 1f 162yds Maiden Hurdle, Soft) 5/1 11-2 Callum Pritchard (3) 3rd of 11 runners, shd and 14L behind Catch On Me and Cayman Dancer

30th Dec 25 Dromahane P(3m Point To Point, Yielding/Soft) 5/4Fav 11-11 L Burke Ott (5) 1st of 14 runners, by 6L and 12L from Cloughmoyle Jewel and The Rebel Fox

12th Oct 25 Loughrea P(3m Point To Point, Yielding) 5/2 11-11 L Burke Ott (5) 2nd of 14 runners, 7L behind Elusive Dreams

6
-533
Hardly Surprising (IRE) 5,b g 11-6

Affinisea (IRE)-Inquisitive Look(Montjeu)

ts4(71) (Mr John P McManus)
Rated 117

Last Three Runs
NH StatisticsRunsWinsPlaces€Level
UK302-3.00
P2P110

23rd Jan 26 Doncaster(2m 3f 88yds Maiden Hurdle, Soft) 11/8Fav 11-10 B Carver 3rd of 13 runners, 2.75L and 4.25L behind Rathkenny and West Hill Verde

29th Nov 25 Bangor-on-Dee(2m 3f 123yds Maiden Hurdle, Soft (Heavy in places)) 7/4 11-3 B Carver 3rd of 9 runners, 1L and shd behind Atlantic Lad and Judicial Deference

7th Nov 25 Fontwell(2m 1f 162yds Maiden Hurdle, Good to Soft) 16/5 11-4 B Carver 5th of 14 runners, 20L behind Kocktail Bleu

7
8
Jpr Two (IRE) 5,br g 11-6

Poet's Word (IRE)-Lady Knightess(Presenting)

(120) (Mr J P Romans)

Last Three Runs
NH StatisticsRunsWinsPlaces€Level
UK100-1.00

5th Dec 25 Exeter(2m 161yds Bumper, Soft) 9/2 11-2 Freddie Gingell 8th of 15 runners, 30.03L behind Analitheia

Jun 2024 Tattersalls (Ireland) Price: €120,000

Feb 2022 Tattersalls (Ireland) Price: €20,000

8
1/F2
Limier D'arthel (FR) 5,b g 11-6

Cokoriko (FR)-Bellone D'arthel(Dom Alco)

hd2(29) (Mr John P McManus)

Last Three Runs
NH StatisticsRunsWinsPlaces€Level
UK201-2.00

6th Mar 26 Exeter(2m 161yds Maiden Hurdle, Good to Soft) 8/1 11-2 Callum Pritchard (3) 2nd of 16 runners, 1L behind Amatchmadeinheaven

22nd Jan 26 Huntingdon(1m 7f 171yds Maiden Hurdle, Soft) 9/2 11-5 Callum Pritchard (3) fell(16 ran) in race won by Double Measure

14th Apr 24 Moulins(1m 3f 204yds Flat, Soft) 13/2 10-3 E Hardouin 1st of 7 runners, by 9L and 1L from Lavriot Star and Lylian

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Limier Darthel (FR) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Docteur Romeo (FR)1
6th Mar 2026 Exeter(2m 161yds, Maiden Hurdle, Good to Soft) Limier D'arthel (FR) 2nd (8/1 11-2) Callum Pritchard Docteur Romeo (FR) pulled up (40/1 11-5) Sean Houlihan (16 ran)
sp
Mrs Pen (IRE)1
6th Mar 2026 Exeter(2m 161yds, Maiden Hurdle, Good to Soft) Limier D'arthel (FR) 2nd (8/1 11-2) Callum Pritchard 85.50L in front of Mrs Pen (IRE) 10th (300/1 10-5) Chad Bament (16 ran)
sp
9
27P-
Warfleet (GB) 6,b g 11-6

Dartmouth (GB)-Titch Strider(Oats)

hd1(394) (Mr J F Panvert)

Last Three Runs
NH StatisticsRunsWinsPlaces€Level
UK401-4.00

6th Mar 25 Fontwell(2m 1f 162yds Maiden Hurdle, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) 125/1 11-5 C O Farrell pulled up(10 ran) in race won by Le Tiep s Sacre

5th Dec 24 Market Rasen(2m 125yds Bumper, Good to Soft (Soft in places)) 22/1 11-2 Ben Jones 7th of 8 runners, 16.06L behind Silver Hill

7th Jul 24 Market Rasen(2m 125yds Bumper, Good) 22/1 11-0 G Sheehan 2nd of 9 runners, 5.5L behind I d Go Maniac

10
-P09
Mrs Pen (IRE) 7,b m 10-13

Imperial Monarch (IRE)-Blackwater Babe(Arctic Lord)

(18) (Mrs Jill Dennis)

Last Three Runs
NH StatisticsRunsWinsPlaces€Level
UK200-2.00

17th Mar 26 Exeter(2m 161yds Maiden Hurdle, Good to Soft) 200/1 10-6 Chad Bament (7) 9th of 14 runners, 43.31L behind Constellation Walk

6th Mar 26 Exeter(2m 161yds Maiden Hurdle, Good to Soft) 300/1 10-5 Chad Bament (7) 10th of 16 runners, 86.5L behind Amatchmadeinheaven

Jul 2022 Tattersalls (Ireland) Price: €8,000

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Mrs Pen (IRE) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Limier D'arthel (FR)1
6th Mar 2026 Exeter(2m 161yds, Maiden Hurdle, Good to Soft) Limier D'arthel (FR) 2nd (8/1 11-2) Callum Pritchard 85.50L in front of Mrs Pen (IRE) 10th (300/1 10-5) Chad Bament (16 ran)
sp
Docteur Romeo (FR)1
6th Mar 2026 Exeter(2m 161yds, Maiden Hurdle, Good to Soft) Mrs Pen (IRE) 10th (300/1 10-5) Chad Bament Docteur Romeo (FR) pulled up (40/1 11-5) Sean Houlihan (16 ran)
sp
Dutch Corner (IRE)1
17th Mar 2026 Exeter(2m 161yds, Maiden Hurdle, Good to Soft) Dutch Corner (IRE) 2nd (6/5Fav 11-6 Rated 115) Harry Skelton 38.56L in front of Mrs Pen (IRE) 9th (200/1 10-6) Chad Bament (14 ran)
sp
11
-164
Poet's Muse (IRE) 5,b m 10-13

Poet's Word (IRE)-Bandelaro(Beneficial)

(20) (Mrs Sarah Rising)

Last Three Runs
NH StatisticsRunsWinsPlaces€Level
UK200-2.00

15th Mar 26 Chepstow(2m 3f 100yds Maiden Hurdle, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) 16/1 11-5 Lorcan Williams 4th of 10 runners, 46L behind Fern Gully

29th Jan 26 Wincanton(2m 5f 82yds Hurdle, Heavy) 40/1 11-3 Lorcan Williams 6th of 11 runners, 55.5L behind Coolanna

Jul 2024 Tattersalls (Ireland) Price: €6,000

12
00
Saffron Belle (GB) 5,b m 10-13

Sans Frontieres (IRE)-Miss Saffron(Access Ski)

(28) (Banns-moor)

Last Three Runs
NH StatisticsRunsWinsPlaces€Level
UK200-2.00

7th Mar 26 Hereford(2m 53yds Bumper, Good (Good to Soft in places)) 250/1 11-2 Lucy Gardner 12th of 14 runners, 109L behind Seven Stars

29th Jan 26 Wincanton(1m 7f 50yds Bumper, Heavy) 100/1 11-2 Lucy Gardner 10th of 10 runners, 113.63L behind Western Charm

First Time - Over Hurdles Jpr Two, Saffron Belle. Hood Warfleet» Full list of First Time Gear

Probable SP 9/4 Hardly Surprising, 11/4 Dutch Corner, 4/1 Limier D'arthel, 6/1 Dante's Rocco, 8/1 Ask A Sainte, 10/1 Handmedownastar, 20/1 Jpr Two, 50/1 Mrs Pen, Docteur Romeo, Poet's Muse, 66/1 Warfleet, Saffron Belle.

Previous Years
2025 Walk On High 8 11-6 B Carver 2/5Fav (H Fry)

Symbols Explained

WS Wind Surgery ts2 Tongue Strap vs2 Visor hd2 Hood es2 Eye Shield ec2 Eye Cover cp2 Cheekpiece bl2 Blinkers tt2 Tongue Tie bo2 Blinkers one cowl e2 Ear Plugs p2 Pacifier pc2 Pacifier with cowls ps2 Pacifier one cowl sr2 Shadow Roll co2 Cheekpiece one side sb2 Sheepskin Browband cc2 Cornell Collar xb2 Crossed Nose Band cd2 Course and Distance Winner c2 Course Winner d2 Distance Winner bf Beaten Favourite on Last Run

The superscript number on headgear bl2 indicates number of times worn. A plus bl+ indicates more than 10 times where as red background bl1indicates first time.

Trainer/Jockey In Form last 21 days

Trainer/Jockey
Wins
Runs
%
D Skelton/Tristan Durrell
5
24
20

H Fry/B Carver
3
6
50

Syd Hosie/P Hanlon
2
12
16

Paul Nicholls/Freddie Gingell
2
8
25

Philip Hobbs/Callum Pritchard
2
10
20

For Trainer/Jockeys in this race

Trainers In Form last 21 days

Trainer
Wins
Runs
%
D Skelton
16
78
20

Paul Nicholls
8
45
17

H Fry
4
10
40

Philip Hobbs
3
26
11

Syd Hosie
3
19
15

J W Mullins
2
14
14

Miss N Martin
1
4
25

I Chanin
1
4
25

For Trainers in this race

Jockeys In Form last 21 days

Jockey
Wins
Runs
%
Callum Pritchard
9
34
26

Freddie Gingell
6
20
30

C O'Farrell
5
27
18

Tristan Durrell
5
29
17

B Carver
5
18
27

P Hanlon
2
18
11

C P O'Shea
1
7
14

Sean Houlihan
1
22
4

Chad Bament
1
6
16

For Jockeys in this race

NH Trainer Stats for Newton Abbot

Trainer
Wins
Runs
%
Paul Nicholls
145
491
30

Philip Hobbs
69
399
17

H Fry
29
103
28

J W Mullins
26
257
10

J D Frost
21
387
5

Mrs S Gardner
17
220
8

D Skelton
12
41
29

Syd Hosie
5
49
10

Miss N Martin
4
20
20

T W Dennis
1
27
4

D Brace
0
23
0

For Trainers in this race

NH Trainer Stats for Newton Abbot

Jockey
Wins
Runs
%
B Carver
15
84
18

Sean Houlihan
13
169
8

C O'Farrell
9
92
10

Lorcan Williams
8
59
14

Freddie Gingell
8
43
19

Daniel Sansom
6
61
10

Callum Pritchard
4
20
20

Tristan Durrell
4
19
21

Finn Lambert
1
8
13

C P O'Shea
1
6
17

Chad Bament
0
7
0

P Hanlon
0
1
0

For Jockeys in this race

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