16:50 Exeter

Thursday 12 October 2017

All14:1014:4515:1515:4516:2016:5017:20

Free Spins At 188Bet Casino Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:53 | Winning time: 5m 25.16s

Chantecler^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Reed⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 106

8/1

His overall win ratio is poor, and he keeps climbing the weights despite regularly finding one that bit sharper. His August Worcester second to Plantagenet could be franked at Towcester (Weds) and he seemingly didn't stay 3m2f latest.

Form: 934223

Cup Of Ambition¹⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Stock⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 106

7/1

Not disgraced from a 2lb higher mark on his handicap debut at Kempton in May (staying on when unseating his rider two out), and is relatively unexposed over hurdles in this grade. Trip a slight question mark, but has won a 3m point-to-point.

Form: 1042-UP

Minella Treasure¹³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: L P Aspell| T: Noel Williams| OR: 104

6/1

Left Alan King after a sole start over hurdles in June 2016, and made his debut for this trainer when a well beaten third of four in a Worcester novices hurdle in May 2017 (2m7f good). Handicap debut.

Form: 22/3-3

Kings Temptation¹¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 104

5/1

Produced a career best effort on his first attempt in this company (up in trip) when beaten ½L by Lime Street at Uttoxeter in June (2m7f good). Up 9lb, but his pedigree suggests he's a stayer, and capable of making his mark.

Form: 747-852

Orchardstown Cross⁵⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: George Blackwell⁽⁷⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 104

16/1

Not shown much since joining this trainer (point-to-point winner) and whilst it's still early days (handicap debut), others would appear much better treated off their opening marks.

Form: 3/

Limoncello^p1²⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Chester Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 103

8/1

Finished 13L third to Tudors Treasure on handicap debut in testing conditions at Ffos Las in March (2m6f soft). Dropped 2lb and needs a fraction more in the first time cheek-pieces.

Form: 27P553-

Hollywood Ken^t³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Woollacott| OR: 102

25/1

Beaten 4½L over 2m1f here in April when third to Thundering Home (good), but no show on his recent seasonal appearance at Worcester. Upped in trip, and that appears a risky strategy, so best ignored.

Form: P6833-P

Billy Elliott²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 100

12/1

Six race maiden, but switches to handicap company for the first time, so improvement is possible. That said, it is most definitely required, and he was never involved on his seasonal reappearance at Worcester last month.

Form: 85-F547

Coole Charmer¹⁷⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 99

7/1

A collection of letters amongst his more recent form figures, but there are also some respectable showings dotted about. Not beaten far when a runner up at Ffos Las in April (2m6f good), and the third placed Lime Street has boosted that form since.

Form: 2PFP72-

Robin Why Not^p,t1³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Cook| T: N J Hawke| OR: 95

25/1

Not shown much ability over hurdles thus far, but has at least dropped 7lb in the weights for a trio of handicap starts. Hopefully stronger with a run under his belt, and with the tongue tie now applied.

Form: 846PP-8

Eddy^t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 85| BF

6/1

Lost his way since winning on his first two starts for this yard in the spring (Uttoxeter), but is stamina proven and good to soft ground appears ideal, so capable enough if electing to put his better foot forward today.

Form: 6-11665

Water Willow¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: James Banks| T: W G M Turner| OR: 79

28/1

A fair sort when trained by Harry Fry in bumpers (Towcester winner in November 2015), but hasn't exactly trained on over hurdles and appears steadily regressive.

Form: 2F9308

Telmadela^t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs R Ford| OR: 77

20/1

Made all when an impressive winner of a Stradbally point-to-point in April 2016, but has achieved little under rules since joining this trainer for £20,000 in July 2016.

Form: 8-875P6

Orbit Light^t1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: T Dowling⁽⁷⁾| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 77

50/1

Has started at odds north of 200/1 on each of her last three outings, and that appears a fair reflection of her ability. Tongue tied on her handicap debut seeking a transformation.

Form: 9P9/P63

Oh Dear Oh Dear¹³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: James Best| T: R J Hodges| OR: 69

66/1

11 race maiden who returned to the track after a four year sabbatical in May. She fell on her chasing debut at Worcester in June and switches back to hurdles from well out of the weights. No chance.

Form: 0475/8F

Non-Runners

Celestial Chimes¹

Weight: 10-3| Age: 6

T: R Dickin J: Tabitha Worsley

Forecasts

Kings Temptation (5/1), Eddy (6/1), Minella Treasure (6/1), Cup Of Ambition (7/1), Coole Charmer (7/1), Limoncello (8/1), Chantecler (8/1), Billy Elliott (12/1), Orchardstown Cross (16/1), Telmadela (20/1), Celestial Chimes (20/1), Hollywood Ken (25/1), Robin Why Not (25/1), Water Willow (28/1), Orbit Light (50/1), Oh Dear Oh Dear (66/1)

With Chantecler sporting a 'win' record of 1 in 29, yet still carrying top-weight, this tells a sorry tale about the calibre of horses in this contest. However, in fairness to the Neil Mulholland runner, he does seem to have been dealt a fairly harsh hand by the handicapper of late. Little makes obvious appeal, so we'll focus in on just a single runner. KINGS TEMPTATION appears stamina laden, and he posted a much improved effort when upped in trip at Uttoxeter in June (2m7½f good) when just failing to catch Lime Street by half a length. A subsequent 9lb rise in the weights ensures a sterner test awaits, but there must still be every chance that the lightly raced Ben Case trained five-year-old can go one better in this company.