15:15 Exeter

Tuesday 6 November 2018

All13:0013:3514:0514:4015:1515:4516:15

Smith & Williamson Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 52.10s

Belmount^p²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132| D

7/1

Improved form the last twice winning well on seasonal return at Perth and then battling bravely to win again at Ludlow. Up another 4lb here but clearly in rude health but tough task under top weight.

Form: P8-3711

Favorito Buck's¹⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 131

11/2

Won a novice chase at Fontwell back in April but disappointed at Kempton on final start in a handicap. Returns from a summer break here and has potential to do better still in this sphere. Respected for leading trainer.

Form: 3P181-4

Scoop The Pot^p1,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 129

3/1

Nudged up the weights for a couple of solid efforts at Worcester and Newton Abbot without winning. Found this mark a little too much last time but Richard Johnson keeps the faith and not discounted with cheekpieces added for the first time.

Form: 32P423

Carlos Du Fruitier^b¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 126

14/1

Tailed off on reappearance at Uttoxeter and then pulled-up in the first-time blinkers at Fakenham last time which are retained here. Races off the same mark here and hard to fancy in current mood.

Form: 48-U20P

Powerful Symbol^p,t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: R P McLernon| T: B Pauling| OR: 125| D

9/2

Breathing operation seems to have improved him a touch having made all to win at Stratford last month. Up 4lb here in a better race which makes life a little tougher. Won't lack for effort mind.

Form: FP-F351

Leith Hill Lad^p1²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 124| CD

13/2

Won here over C&D off a 7lb lower mark three starts backin April. Looked badly out of touch on recent return at Hereford and should be fitter now. Cheekpieces go on but needs to up his game all the same.

Form: P511-35

Canyouringmeback^h¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: N J Gifford| OR: 120| D

7/2

Was looking to complete a hat-trick when unseating rider at Wincanton last time. He was still travelling well at the time and may well have won again. 12lb higher than last win but in such rude health he's likely to go well again.

Form: 06-211U

Non-Runners

Court Frontier⁹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 10

T: Christian Williams J: T J O'Brien

Forecasts

Scoop The Pot (3/1), Canyouringmeback (7/2), Powerful Symbol (9/2), Favorito Buck's (11/2), Leith Hill Lad (13/2), Belmount (7/1), Carlos Du Fruitier (14/1), Court Frontier (20/1)

Belmount is in cracking form but he is a horse that tends to peak fresh so he may struggle to defy top weight here. Favorito Buck's remains with plenty of potential in this sphere and is very much respected. Slight preference is for CANYOURINGMEBACK who may well have completed the hat-trick at Wincanton last time but for unseating late on. He can remain on an upward curve and gain some compensation here.