15:35 Exeter

Sunday 11 February 2018

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4017:10

Champions League Betting At 188Bet Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 6m 57.8s

Harry Topper^p³⁴⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 140| BF| CD

9/2

Not the horse he once was but he was a very classy performer on his day (winner of three Grade 2 races) and back from a long break now. Finished 4th in this race last year from a higher mark but had had a previous race before that; stays very well.

Form: PP5/P44-

Fletchers Flyer^p,t⁶⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 137| D

3/1

Handicapper starting to give him a chance although his recent form isn't anywhere near his Punchestown handicap win in 2016 off a mark of 138. Did looks a little better last time out when in cheekpieces for the first-time (travelled well) but finishing effort was disappointing.

Form: 173P-P7

Henri Parry Morgan^p,t³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 135| D

7/1

Nearly two years since his last win and now back on that last winning mark but has been given chances by the handicapper before without taking them. Not the best of jumpers and although he may be competitive that facet of his game usually holds him back.

Form: 069-2U5

Pete The Feat^t³⁶

Age: 14| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 133| D

14/1

The oldest in this field but still retains plenty of verve and ability as he showed when winning at Sandown over 3m. Again ran well last time out in a similar event and should go well here although has to prove that he can do it away from Sandown.

Form: 155-412

Gentleman Jon^b,t⁷¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 129

20/1

Despite running well of late he's a victim of his own success almost with the handicapper not really cutting him any slack. Ran well in a better race last time but rather harshly raised 5lb for that good third and that rise may just put this race out of reach.

Form: 2353F3

Cloudy Bob⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 117| D

2/1

Quite often flattered to deceive for his former yard but has now joined a yard in excellent form and looked rejuvenated last time out on his first run for his new yard winning at Taunton. Still looks well treated on his old form and may well have this race run to suit and have more to come.

Form: 3-44241

Band Of Blood^b⁶⁶¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 119| BF

11/2

Has always looked the type that this yard do well with and he was well backed and shaped equally well when last seen at Warwick although he found the stamina test too much. Will enjoy this 3m trip much better and the handicapper has given him a chance on his return.

Form: 753854/

Non-Runners

Ballynagour²⁵⁹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 12

T: Ian Williams J: T J O'Brien

Pressurize¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 12

T: Miss V Williams J: Charlie Deutsch

Forecasts

Cloudy Bob (2/1), Fletchers Flyer (3/1), Harry Topper (9/2), Band Of Blood (11/2), Henri Parry Morgan (7/1), Ballynagour (12/1), Pressurize (14/1), Pete The Feat (14/1), Gentleman Jon (20/1)

Plenty of old warriors in the field here who have been more than capable off higher marks on their day. CLOUDY BOB looked revived and refreshed by the move to the Honeyball yard last time out and he may well have more to offer on his second run for the yard. Pete The Feat despite his advancing years should run well here although he has to prove himself away from Sandown and Gentleman Jon is another worthy of a look although his 5lb rise for last time looks rather harsh. Harry Topper will appreciate this stamina test if his jumping holds together while Band Of Blood would be of interest if there was any money for him in the market.