13:20 Exeter

Sunday 25 November 2018

All12:5013:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:50

Smarkets Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 5m 54.6s

Three Star General^b⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 117

7/1

Only win came in a Worcester maiden hurdle last year, but he has some fair form to his name. Not at his best at Cheltenham last time, however, and competes off the same mark.

Form: P823-80

Norse Legend^p¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Kimber⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 115| CD

15/8

Back to winning ways with a narrow success under this claimer over C&D earlier this month. Up 6lb, but stable is firing in the winners so he has to be respected.

Form: P3453-1

Miro^t⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 110WS

40/1

One win in 11 starts over hurdles for Gordon Elliott. Tries his luck for a new yard having undergone wind surgery and it ill be interesting what the betting makes of him in relation to stable companion Three Star General.

Form: 326/430

Fenlons Court³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 109

5/1

Off the mark at the eighth attempt over hurdles when winning a 15-runner handicap under this jockey at Fontwell last month. Going the right way and has decent prospects off his 7lb higher mark.

Form: 6646-21

Tea Time Fred^p¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 109

9/1

Long time since he won, but was not disgraced in a five-runner contest over C&D last time. Looks to have something to find off 1lb lower.

Form: 324273

Vango De Vaige¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 102

3/1

Maiden after seven starts over hurdles and was making his seasonal reappearance when third to Norse Legend over C&D. Should strip fitter and has a 6lb pull in the weights for a beating of 7¼L.

Form: 26P6P-3

Sydney De Baune³³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 100

8/1

Went up 11lb after winning a Chepstow handicap last month and has since been beaten twice off this mark. Vulnerable again.

Form: 590/153-

Avithos⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: James Davies| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 87

40/1

Only one win in 17 starts over timber, but shaped well to be third on her seasonal reappearance at Newton Abbot. Should strip fitter, but 2lb lower mark is negated by the fact she runs from out of the handicap.

Form: 49/9P7-3

Result Amended

Three Star General - Original Position 4th. Amended Position 3rd.

Norse Legend - Original Position 3rd. Amended Position 8th.

Miro - Original Position 5th. Amended Position 4th.

Fenlons Court - Original Position 6th. Amended Position 5th.

Sydney De Baune - Original Position 8th. Amended Position 7th.

Avithos - Original Position 7th. Amended Position 6th.

Forecasts

Norse Legend (15/8), Vango De Vaige (3/1), Fenlons Court (5/1), Three Star General (7/1), Sydney De Baune (8/1), Tea Time Fred (9/1), Miro (40/1), Avithos (40/1)

It will be interesting to see how the market prices up stable companions Three Star General and Miro, but the vote goes to VANGO DE VAIGE, who has a weight pull with his C&D conqueror Norse Legend and should be fitter for his seasonal reappearance run. Fenlons Court seems to be getting his act together and has to be respected.