15:20 Exeter

Tuesday 24 October 2017

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:20

Download The App At 188Bet Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 6m 18.3s

Vieux Lille²¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132| BF| C

7/2

A three time Exeter winner over hurdles (2m1f to 2m7f), with his only defeat at this track coming when 10¾L third to American in a C&D novices chase in November 2016. Not quite as strong overall over fences, but respected.

Form: 1/4324P-

Alvarado¹⁸⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: L P Aspell| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130| D

14/1

Veteran who made the frame in both the 2014 and 2015 Grand National (fourth), but is the type who can go well fresh. Beaten just over 2L when fourth to Vicente in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr in April (4m good).

Form: 2/6F6P4-

Kilbree Kid^b,t⁸⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 130| D

33/1

Perth specialist who was again a winner at that track in July (3m good), but is 5lb higher now and might not be ideally suited by today's forecast softer ground.

Form: 13-6515

Dueling Banjos^p,t1²¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 130

11/2

Has responded well to cheek-pieces, and backed up a February Leicester second when scoring by a neck at Ffos Las in March (2m3f novices chase, heavy). More to offer, and perhaps the tongue tie can help bring about further improvement.

Form: F23212-

Jayo Time³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 126

33/1

A seven time career winner in 36 career starts, but hasn't kept the best of form over the past 18 months or so. Falling in the weights, and possibly sharper for last month's Uttoxeter effort, but in all fairness, will need to be.

Form: 2/FF-599

Timeforwest¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125| D

20/1

Notched a treble over hurdles in the spring (Market Rasen, Taunton and Kempton), but was never really in contention on her recent chasing debut at Worcester (2m4f mares novices chase). This trip will suit, but the company is tougher.

Form: 91116-6

Gingili^t,v³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N D Fehily| T: J Farrelly| OR: 125| C| D

20/1

His overall form figures are pleasing on the eye, but that doesn't tell the full story as he's very much a quirky character. Not convinced over fences so far (despite winning), and vulnerable from this joint career high mark.

Form: 1-2121P

Zephyros Bleu^p²¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington| OR: 123| D

10/1

Won by 15L on his second start over fences at Ffos Las in December 2016 (3m heavy), and the suspicion is that flatters him slightly. However, the handicapper 'bought' that hook line and sinker and lumped him up the weights accordingly.

Form: 22P/615-

Cernunnos^b,t⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Geraghty| T: T R George| OR: 122| D

10/1

Had tumbled in the weights, and the application of blinkers brought him back to form when successful at Bangor last month (3m good). Up 7lb, but that looks relatively fair, and he can be expected to be strongest at the finish.

Form: 6P-3U71

Umberto D'olivate²¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 122| CD

9/1

Has an affinity with this track, with his C&D form here since 2016 reading 2,1,1. Furthermore, he was also 7¼L third to Barton Gift over 3m6f here in April 2016. High in the weights now, but no issues with forecast ground conditions.

Form: 171U74-

Sartorial Elegance^b²²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 122

10/1

A winner over both hurdles and fences, and probably still learning his trade over the larger obstacles. Didn't quite end the season in flying form, but back fresh now 9lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 431U7P-

Bindon Mill²¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Nick Scholfield| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 121| CD

12/1

All three chasing starts have come at this track, but he was successful over C&D in January (soft) when beating Quinto by 9L. Could have more to offer, but needs to improve being 8lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 2/42514-

King Of Glory²⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 119

12/1

A 2m4f Warwick winner in December 2015, he had plenty of time off the track subsequently. Back in very reasonable form during February, seeming to stay this trip, but 11lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 34P1/24-

Bears Rails^b²²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 118| C| D

25/1

Driven out to see off Renard when scoring here by 1¼L in March 2016 (2m3f+), but he has proved his stamina over further since by winning at Fontwell (3m1f+). A further 6lb higher now, but couldn't be ruled out of contention on his return to action.

Form: 44V17P-

Talk Of The South¹⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson| OR: 114| BF| D

12/1

A nine race rules chasing maiden (hurdles and point-to-point winner). Off since May when 12L third to Amiral Collonges in the Norfolk National at Fakenham (3m5f good to firm).

Form: F262P-3

Lac Sacre^b,t¹⁹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁷⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 110| D

20/1

Seemingly more effective over hurdles than over fences, but he did score over the larger obstacles on his penultimate start at Chepstow in March (2m7½f soft). Remains 8lb higher now, but a most useful claimer effectively removes much of that rise.

Form: 73321P-

Forecasts

Vieux Lille (7/2), Dueling Banjos (11/2), Umberto D'olivate (9/1), Zephyros Bleu (10/1), Cernunnos (10/1), Sartorial Elegance (10/1), Bindon Mill (12/1), King Of Glory (12/1), Talk Of The South (12/1), Alvarado (14/1), Gingili (20/1), Timeforwest (20/1), Lac Sacre (20/1), Bears Rails (25/1), Kilbree Kid (33/1), Jayo Time (33/1)

A wide open stayers handicap chase, but a race in which a number of horses are well above their last winning handicap marks, so that should help to whittle down those with winning chances somewhat. Plenty of these runners bring strong previous Exeter form into the race, not least Vieux Lille who was unbeaten in three starts over hurdles here, and dual C&D winner (fences) Umberto D'olivate. However, of those who have potentially more to offer, we must consider the Kim Bailey trained Dueling Banjos, and the well handicapped Bangor winner CERNUNNOS. The Tom George trained seven-year-old was rejuvenated by the blinkers latest, galloping on strongly from the final fence, and a subsequent 7lb rise in the weights isn't enough to stop him following up with Barry Geraghty taking over from Paddy Brennan in the saddle.