14:40 Exeter
Thursday 21 December 2017
All12:3513:0513:3514:0514:4015:1515:45
Read Noel Fehily At 188bet Handicap Hurdle
- 3YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 2f 111y | Soft | 10 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 2.60s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Claimed the scalp of Charbel at Doncaster in November 2015 in a novice hurdle but didn't show much enthusiasm last month on Taunton (2m½f, soft) on return from long absence and perhaps best watched for time being.
Soft ground winner at Bangor and Warwick early in the year, may have needed the run last month at Ascot on reappearance and ought to prove capable of a challenge now.
First start for 615 days on debut for this trainer at Ascot last month and showed very little to be encouraged about there. Hard to summon enthusiasm, albeit has won in native France before.
Going the right way in three starts over timber this season, latest over 2m3½f (good to soft) at Ascot last month in maiden company. Drop in distance no issue and entitled to be involved for leading connections in good form.
Ran well in a 2m5½f good-ground handicap at Wincanton on reappearance off a mark of 115 but hasn't built on that in two further starts. Similar tale last season when unable to build on good returning effort.
French recruit who joined current connections for £160,000 but was pulled up in all three starts last season. Again no threat here 13 days ago on reappearance over slightly longer trip and all to prove at the moment.
Scored over 3m at Listowel in June on yielding ground for pervious handler but very poor in three starts since. First run for new yard but handicapper has taken no chances on return to British shores.
Game effort to score at Chepstow last month on return to action, sticking on gamely despite some sketchy jumping. Will relish testing ground given stamina seems to be a forte but does carry an extra 5lb now.
Won on final start in Ireland in March and again on debut for this handler at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) in May but has since struggled since switched to handicaps this season. Drops another 4lb and blinkers tried now. Conditions no concern.
Not devoid of talent but woeful effort over slightly longer trip here 12 days ago was a worrying turn of events on second start for this yard. Bit to prove now.
Ran out a 4L winner over C&D in October on reappearance (rated 105) and not disgraced next time in better race at Cheltenham. Perhaps didn't stay (2m7f, soft) here last month and now bids to win this race for a second year running.
Forecasts
Rockpoint (3/1), Trans Express (7/2), Night Of Sin (9/2), Mixchievous (9/2), Max Do Brazil (9/1), Travertine (11/1), Jennys Day (20/1), Le Precieux (20/1), Go Long (22/1), Delface (28/1), Druid's Folly (33/1)
ROCKPOINT shaped well in soft ground at Ascot last time out and has been going the right way over timber in three starts this term to believe he'll have a race of this nature in him. He earns the nod to make a winning start in handicaps for the Tizzard team. Mixchievous isn't overlooked easily having won on reappearance at Chepstow, though a 5lb hike and the suspicion he may want further are enough to see him passed over. Night Of Sin should come on for the reappearance while last year's winner Trans Express should be suited down in trip, though remains 4lb higher than when collecting 12 months ago.
- Rockpoint
- Mixchievous
- Trans Express
Prize Money
1st: £7,798.002nd: £2,290.003rd: £1,145.004th: £572.00
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