14:35 Exeter

Wednesday 14 November 2018

All13:0013:3014:0514:3515:1015:4016:15

Weatherbys Hamilton Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 6m 3.48s

Head To The Stars²¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: T Scudamore| T: H D Daly| OR: 135

18/1

Improved swiftly over hurdles last year after winning a Wincanton handicap over 2m5f on heavy ground (runner-up three times after that). Pulled-up when last seen with a tack problem he now goes chasing off a stiff mark.

Form: 51222P-

Gunfleet²⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: L P Aspell| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 134| D

11/4

From a yard in good form and doing well in this sphere this one is an interesting recruit having won his last two over hurdles showing that he had plenty of stamina. Based on his hurdles form this mark doesn't look harsh; leading contender.

Form: 1/2511-

Just A Sting²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 131| C

2/1

Very much looks an improved model having made the switch from hurdles to fences landing a well-run handicap chase on his debut. Looked at home when winning at Uttoxeter and despite the longer trip and 6lb rise looks capable of winning again.

Form: 1/2338-1

Run To Milan²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: James Best| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 130| C

9/1

Useful in novice hurdles last year and was well fancied in the betting on his chasing debut (hampered and unseated rider). Looks the sort to do well over fences although his jumping needs a little brushing up; in the mix.

Form: 212P2-U

Potters Corner⁶⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 127| BF

11/1

Returns from a long absence having shown that he has ability over fences (also a bumper/hurdles winner). Hard to get a handle on him although the handicapper has refused to drop him through his absence; may well need this.

Form: 612342/

Perform³⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 127

22/1

Lightly-raced sort who has shown that he has plenty of ability in the past over hurdles although his two runs over fences so far have looked inauspicious. Has work to do with the majority of these although the handicapper has given him a chance.

Form: 5164/F4-

Indian Hercules²⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: D A Jacob| T: W Greatrex| OR: 126| D

14/1

Yet to run over fences under Rules but does have some point-to-point experience; looked to be improving over hurdles when last seen. Looks to have plenty of stamina and will appreciate this trip and fences; one to note even in a competitive race.

Form: 5/16533-

King Uther²⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 125| BF

20/1

Formerly with Chris Gordon he makes his debut for a new stable although his mark looks a tough one compared to the one he won off over hurdles fir Chris Gordon. Not the most straightforward and can be a little quirky; tough task on debut.

Form: 1/43123-

Reikers Island²¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 124| D

16/1

Cost £60,000 after winning an Irish point-to-point on his 4th start in that sphere and got off the mark under Rules with a determined win on his 2nd start (fell on debut). Disappointed when last seen but looks the sort to make a chaser.

Form: 231F15-

Voie Dans Voie²⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 121

18/1

According to the trainer he didn't quite progress as hoped last year and sending him over fences may well be the making of him. He has a fair bit to find with some of these on hurdles form and others make more appeal.

Form: 352236-

Skewiff³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 118

14/1

Winner in bumpers and over hurdles who hasn't quite build on her Haydock novice win in March. Ran respectably when on her return and now makes her fencing debut but she may need dropping a few pounds before she's of interest.

Form: 61-4253

Non-Runners

Vodka All The Way³³

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: P Hobbs & J White J: R Johnson

Merry Milan¹⁶⁸

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: Nicky Martin J: Matt Griffiths

Late Romantic²²¹

Weight: 10-4| Age: 8

T: O Greenall & J Guerriero J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

Just A Sting (2/1), Gunfleet (11/4), Vodka All The Way (15/2), Run To Milan (9/1), Potters Corner (11/1), Late Romantic (12/1), Skewiff (14/1), Indian Hercules (14/1), Merry Milan (14/1), Reikers Island (16/1), Voie Dans Voie (18/1), Head To The Stars (18/1), King Uther (20/1), Perform (22/1)

This has the potential to be a race to watch several times and produce plenty of winners. Harry Fry who took last year’s contest supplies another leading contender in Just A Sting who will be hard to beat although the newcomer GUNFLEET makes plenty of appeal. His hurdles form suggests he could be ahead of his mark here and he looks a good chaser in the making. Phillip Hobbs runs three the best of which Vodka All The Way although his mark looks a stiff one. Indian Hercules should be seen in a positive light with Late Romantic one to watch in the market along with Run To Milan.