15:45 Exeter

Monday 18 March 2019

All14:1014:4015:1515:4516:1516:4517:1517:45

Like Racing TV On Facebook Maiden Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 4m 59.12s

Barranco Valley¹²⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe

16/1

Returns from massive 1256 day absence having shown promise on both starts for Nick Williams back in 2015. Debut for new connections who can get them fit after a break. May be better for run though unless market hints otherwise.

Form: 52/

Bindon Lane²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: V R A Dartnall

100/1

Has shown precious little in two starts so far and looks as though he'll need more time before possibly finding his level.

Form: 00

Dostal Phil^h¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 124| BF

13/8

Cost a massive €295,000 after landing five-runner Deauville bumper in 2016. Four runs for new connections, has started favourite each time and is yet to score but failed by just a short-head at Newbury latest. Sure to be thereabouts once again.

Form: 1/4-202

Fly To Mars²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 127

5/6

Mistake at 3rd before staying on to be fourth over C&D last time having shown progressive form previously without winning. Has highest BHA racing and looks one for the shortlist.

Form: 62624

Global Rhapsody³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland

66/1

Nicely bred Presenting gelding cost €110,000 as a three-year-old. Steps up in trip having shown nothing special in three starts to date, but looks the type who might do better in handicaps in due course.

Form: 879

Megaudais Speed⁸⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: Mrs L J Young

100/1

Beaten a long way on British/Rules debut here over 2m7f in testing ground. Drop back in trip may help the cause but a great deal more needed.

Form: 431-29

No Rematch⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

16/1

Ran well to be second on debut in Ffos Las bumper and wasn't disgraced when fourth in hurdles bow at same track in January. Yard has 19% winning strike rate here so may not be far away and worth observing the markets for any sign of interest.

Form: 24

Spiny Norman^t1²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: M G Nolan| T: Alexandra Dunn

200/1

Twice raced Malinas gelding with 21-month gap between races. Showed little on both occasions and appears out of his depth once again on all known form. First time tongue-tie applied.

Form: 8-0

Havana River²⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: J Farrelly

40/1

Won Irish maiden point-to-point on second start in that sphere in May last year but not seen since. Hard to assess but probably will find this a stiff task on first outing under Rules.

Form: P1

The Crooner⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 125

5/1

No great shakes in four starts in France before joining good British yard in January. Good first run for connections when 3rd of 13 in Warwick 2m juvenile hurdle after seven months absence so should win a race or two.

Form: 43-683

Forecasts

Fly To Mars (5/6), Dostal Phil (13/8), The Crooner (5/1), No Rematch (16/1), Barranco Valley (16/1), Havana River (40/1), Global Rhapsody (66/1), Megaudais Speed (100/1), Bindon Lane (100/1), Spiny Norman (200/1)

An interesting heat. THE CROONER is one of the least exposed and open to improvement following his British debut third at Warwick. He can get the best of the argument receiving weight-for-age. Dostal Phil has proven a real bookies friend this term but has plenty of ability and should go close, along with Fly To Mars who is very much respected. No Rematch could have a say in proceedings too, while any money for the long absent Barranco Valley would be a tip in itself given connections record.