14:35 Exeter

Sunday 8 April 2018

All14:0514:3515:1015:4016:1516:4517:15

City Of Exeter Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 4m 39.85s

Phobiaphiliac^h⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 123

33/1

Well treated judged on his form for Nicky Henderson but hard to fancy judged on his last five efforts.

Form: 2PP-462

Lord Napier¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 123

11/4

Classically bred being by Galileo and out of a mare who won four classics in India. Has beaten little on his last two starts and handicapper has taken few chances, but his Flat form suggests we have not yet seen the best of him in this discipline.

Form: 511

Fixed Rate^b,t⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Angus Cheleda⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C J Mann| OR: 123

16/1

Well placed to win three times last year, but those victories were on a sounder surface. Below par recently but becoming better handicapped for a spring campaign.

Form: 1P1624

Show On The Road^h³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 120| BF| CD

11/4

C&D winner on New Year's Day but held on both starts since and latest effort was disappointing. Possible this track will bring the best out of him but also likely there is a better handicapped horse in the lineup.

Form: 622123

I See You Well⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 120

6/1

Last couple of efforts have earned him sympathy from the handicapper. Yard going well lately and he is down to his last winning mark.

Form: 533367

Dinos Benefit¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 120

8/1

Dual point-to-point winner and broke her maiden under rules when winning over 2m on soft ground when debuting for this yard at Chepstow. Opening mark asks serious questions but possible she can find the improvement with her yard going well.

Form: 112441

Doc Carver⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: J McGrath| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 119

13/2

Placed twice in novice hurdles most recently on heavy ground at Bangor in early January behind a useful rival. Still going well when coming down on handicap debut at Towcester the following month, but disappointed on quicker ground latest.

Form: 9-522F4

Morianour⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 118| BF

12/1

Has won on easy ground but conditions were too heavy for him last time when 5lb "well-in". Returns fresh from a break and with the yard in better form.

Form: 212-625

Trans Express^p⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 117| C

12/1

Triple course winner but found wanting off a similar mark last time and potentially facing a few better weighted rivals again.

Form: 515616

Forecasts

Show On The Road (11/4), Lord Napier (11/4), I See You Well (6/1), Doc Carver (13/2), Dinos Benefit (8/1), Trans Express (12/1), Morianour (12/1), Fixed Rate (16/1), Phobiaphiliac (33/1)

Lord Napier is potentially a lot better than we have seen so far and he could make a mockery of his current mark. however, DOC CARVER relishes these conditions and will find them far more suitable than last time. His second at Bangor has been franked since and suggests he is more than capable of taking advantage of his current mark. Dino's Benefit has not been set an easy task by the handicapper and in contrast I See You Well has been given a chance to improve on recent efforts. Show On The Road failed to progress last time and connections will be hoping a return to this track brings out the best in him.