15:40 Exeter

Friday 23 February 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4016:1516:5017:20

Prydis Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 5m 3.73s

Rejaah^t⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Hawke| OR: 126| D

8/1

Enjoyed a short but successful spell chasing in 2016, but was off the track for 16 months before her recent return over hurdles at Taunton (2m3f, soft), where she was beaten 23L from 5lb higher. Best form on a sound surface, but hard to dismiss her.

Form: 18212-7

Ten Times Better⁶⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 125

28/1

Bumper and debut maiden hurdle winner in Ireland in 2015. Has not run since May 2016 (missed intended reappearance in November 2016 when with Peter Bowen) and market check prudent ahead of her delayed return, though fitness to prove.

Form: 1647/35-

Lamanver Odyssey^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 125| CD

4/1

Won over C&D (good to soft) last season and also won a mares' handicap at Wincanton (2m5½f, soft) in November from 6lb lower. Jumping has cost her on both starts since then, but still unexposed if she can go clear.

Form: 120-1FP

Monar Rose^h,t⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 118WS

11/1

Landed a Towcester maiden hurdle (1m7½f, good to firm) in May and returned with a very respectable effort in a decent Newbury novices' hurdle in November. Well held in Listed company since and returns after wind op. Claims, provided that has helped.

Form: 28-6146

Whatsthatallabout⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 118WS

11/1

Completed a hat-trick of hurdles wins in 2016 before being off the track for 14-months. Well held at Ascot on her reappearance and has since had wind surgery. Would have claims if able to get back to her best, so market check looks prudent.

Form: F3111-8

Kalahari Queen⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 115

10/3

Won when dropped back to 2m at Lingfield (soft) for her second run over hurdles in December and matched that effort when 2L runner-up at Catterick last time. Has won a point-to-point, so stamina no problem and enters calculations.

Form: 1-712

Polly's Pursuit^h⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ned Curtis⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 114

5/2

Bumper winner who recorded an 18L success over hurdles in a maiden at Southwell (2m4½f, good) in June. Back in form in second handicap attempt at Doncaster (2m3½f, soft) last time and from 2lb higher she should be in the mix.

Form: 9-21283

Bee Crossing⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Kevin Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 114

9/1

Irish point-to-point winner who has gone well in both hurdles runs so far. Now goes handicapping from a mark that looks a little on the stiff side, but improvement not ruled out and a market check looks to be in order.

Form: P1U7-22

Forecasts

Polly's Pursuit (5/2), Kalahari Queen (10/3), Lamanver Odyssey (4/1), Rejaah (8/1), Bee Crossing (9/1), Monar Rose (11/1), Whatsthatallabout (11/1), Ten Times Better (28/1)

After putting up her best effort so far last time out at Doncaster, it could pay to side with POLLY'S PURSUIT here, despite a 2lb rise. Nicky Henderson's mare handles soft ground and this furlong shorter trip looks ideal. Rejaah has dropped to an eyecatching mark if she can come on for her first run back after a long absence, while Ten Times Better also has ability but she has both fitness and well being to prove. So too Monar Rose after a wind op. Lamanver Odyssey should be a contender if she can brush up on her hurdling technique, while it is not easy to rule out Whatsthatallabout, Kalahari Queen or Bee Crossing in an open-looking heat.