13:00 Exeter

Friday 7 December 2018

All12:2513:0013:3014:0514:3515:1015:40

Thatchers Gold Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 6m 1.9s

Waterloo Warrior^b,t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 117

12/1

Hasn't convinced over fences and no surprise connections switch back to the smaller obstacles now and has form over C&D from last year.

Form: 64-22PF

Midnight Monty^b,t⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 113

20/1

Better known as a chaser but now returns to hurdles for the first time for 18 months and he has won two of his last three in this sphere. Blinkers, which he has won in before now go back on and yard in decent nick.

Form: 2223P-P

Tarrona^p1²⁰¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: A Phillips| OR: 112

40/1

Seems to have lost his way when last seen and bit to prove for now though does have cheek pieces on for the first time.

Form: 22F/00-3

Bellamy's Grey²³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: C J Gray| OR: 110

25/1

Improved when second of 12 over 2m1f when last seen in April. Big step up in trip now and has absence to overcome as well.

Form: 64/3432-

Tea Time Fred^p¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 109

8/1

Remains in form and creditable second over C&D last week and has a 7lb pull for just over 1L with Vango De Vaige.

Form: 242732

Vango De Vaige¹²^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 102| CD

7/2

Took another step forward when beating Tea Time Fred here last week and despite the 7lb penalty he is relatively lightly raced and there should be more to come.

Form: 6P6P-31

Pahaska^h²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 108

12/1

Formerly with Gordon Elliott, ran well from the front on second run for this yard when reeled in close home over C&D last month. Was clear of Vango De Vaige on that occasion and although that one has improved since, he shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 50PP-72

Echo Watt^h¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Jamie Bargary| T: R Hobson| OR: 107

28/1

Won a Bumper on debut but has generally struggled since going hurdling and would only be of interest if market spoke positively.

Form: 14U65-8

Mighty Vic^t²⁴⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 107

50/1

Point-to-point winner in the past but little form under rules and switch to handicaps last time didn't bring any improvement.

Form: 51/3660-

Gambling Gamut³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 104

50/1

Probably flattered in a small field last time and that form may not be quite what it first appears, especially with the ground much softer today.

Form: U/R5P-44

Bact To Black^p²³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁷⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 97| BF

5/1

Just failed to land a gamble over C&D in April and probably found race coming too soon when disappointing on subsequent start. Clear chance if ready to go after a break and interesting to see if the money comes again.

Form: U97526-

Gonnabegood^v1¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 95| C

7/4

Plenty of course from and again ran well when just touched off here last week over slightly shorter. Will appreciate the return to this trip and with the first time visor and 5lb well in, looks sure to figure.

Form: P146-12

Non-Runners

In The Pipeline²⁸

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: B G Powell J: B J Geraghty

Forecasts

Gonnabegood (7/4), Vango De Vaige (7/2), Bact To Black (5/1), Tea Time Fred (8/1), Waterloo Warrior (12/1), Pahaska (12/1), In The Pipeline (14/1), Midnight Monty (20/1), Bellamy's Grey (25/1), Echo Watt (28/1), Tarrona (40/1), Gambling Gamut (50/1), Mighty Vic (50/1)

GONNABEGOOD again ran well here at the last meeting and although this is a stronger race, he receives plenty of weight and makes some appeal. Waterloo Warrior is interesting going back over the smaller obstacles and along with Pahaska pose a threat in an open handicap.