15:40 Exeter

Wednesday 14 November 2018

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

Racing UK Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 4m 1.72s

Zalvados^t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 127

9/2

A record of 1-13 over hurdles is hardly one that is compelling although his 7th in the Betfair Hurdle is a run few of these could match. Has to bounce back from a tailed-off return run but this mark isn't beyond him if he can return to form.

Form: 42172-0

Nayati³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 126| BF

5/1

Left a good impression when first running for this stable winning his first two starts (fortunate on the 2nd occasion) after being successful on his last French outing. Looked jaded after that but made an encouraging comeback; possible player here.

Form: 118-3

River Bray^h³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: James Best| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 124

10/1

Still a maiden and now makes his handicap debut on his 2nd run back from a wind op; looked to just need the run last time on his return. Pulled hard there and looked a hard ride; needs to settle better and others appeal more.

Form: 4/2852-3

Watcombe Heights¹⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 123| D

9/2

Consistent sort in handicap hurdles last season although he failed to win and the handicapper doesn't appear keen to release his grip. Looked below his hurdles form when tried over fences in the summer; questions to answer now back over hurdles.

Form: 2264-36

Comrade Conrad^p³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 120

40/1

Fairly useful sort on the Flat when with Roger Charlton and was seen to good effect over hurdles for the most part last season (won a Ludlow novice; 2m, soft). Ran poorly on return in first-time blinkers (cheekpieces now); his mark looks a stiff one.

Form: 41536-8

Casterly Rock³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 118

7/2

Has some pleasing hurdles form to his name despite the fact that he's yet to win over them. Ran a very creditable race on his October return (2nd) and still looks effective off this mark from an in-form yard; apparently goes chasing after this.

Form: 4/523-82

Trans Express^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 114| C

5/2

3-7 over hurdles here but has never won off a mark this high (110 the highest) with all his wins coming over the extended 2m2f trip at the track. Given a tough task on his comeback run and this is slightly easier back on home turf; considered.

Form: 6162-37

Primal Focus¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 114

40/1

Yet to show all he's got as a hurdler although he was given a tough task last time when falling at Cheltenham. The handicapper hasn't had much to work to award him a mark and the market may prove the best guide as to its merit.

Form: 2-2335F

Non-Runners

Indian Harbour¹⁹³

Weight: 10-11| Age: 5

T: Mrs S Gardner J: Sean Houlihan

Forecasts

Trans Express (5/2), Casterly Rock (7/2), Watcombe Heights (9/2), Zalvados (9/2), Nayati (5/1), River Bray (10/1), Indian Harbour (20/1), Primal Focus (40/1), Comrade Conrad (40/1)

An interesting contest with a couple having to bounce back to their best to be competitive here but that may not be beyond them. ZALVADOS disappointed last time but he’s now dropped in class and a repeat of his Betfair Hurdle run would make him look a generous price for this. Nayati also needs build on his comeback run but looks more than capable of doing so off his current mark. Casterly Rock is still lightly-raced and worth investigating off this mark with this trip looking to suit. Trans Express would be of interest if his stable were in better form whilst it will be fascinating to see what the market makes of the mark awarded to Primal Focus.