14:40 Exeter

Sunday 24 March 2019

All14:1014:4015:1515:4516:2016:5517:25

GG Tips Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 58.3s

Stop The World^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 116

4/1

Similar level of form in a trio of novice hurdles at shorter and open to improvement now stepping into handicaps with the longer trip expected to suit, though opening mark not looking lenient.

Form: 2/43-635

Eur Gone West^h,t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 113

7/1

Sole attempt at this trip on penultimate start at Market Rasen casts doubts over whether he stays and form in any case needs improving on.

Form: 8-42474

Misty Bloom⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 112| C

6/1

Bumped into a handicap good thing when last seen in December and that was on the back of a good run including a couple of wins. Now up in trip but shapes as though it;'s worth a go and yard remain in form.

Form: 3P1132

Bolton Boy³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 111

20/1

Sprang a 16/1 shock in weak 2m4f Sedgefield novice in November. Tailed off subsequent run and bit to prove stepping into handicaps and up in distance.

Form: 5715

Ballybough Nora^h²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 110

9/1

Successful in a Point-to-point a year ago. Slow burner over hurdles but better latest when staying on well from the rear and capable of more now going up in trip.

Form: 41-3443

Halloween Harry³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 109

12/1

Landed a 2m4f Point-to-point last summer. Three hurdle runs haven't amounted to much and while improvement could be forthcoming now handicapping, his opening mark looks harsh.

Form: 1366

Almost Gold²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 108

7/2

Doncaster win in November over 2m4f but probably bettered that with creditable third over 3m at Newbury last time. That form has been franked by the fifth horse winning on Friday and should have more to come off the same mark.

Form: 4-31043

Apple Mack¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: M G Nolan| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 107

6/1

Improved when second last time to an easy winner on handicap bow and looked as though there should be more to come over the extra 2f here. Looks a contender.

Form: F-70032

Telson Barley^p1,t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 103

8/1

Off the mark by 16L at Musselburgh but that doesn't tell the full story as looked booked for second when the leader came down at the last. Now 3lb higher in a stronger contest.

Form: 5-F0531

Forecasts

Almost Gold (7/2), Stop The World (4/1), Misty Bloom (6/1), Apple Mack (6/1), Eur Gone West (7/1), Telson Barley (8/1), Ballybough Nora (9/1), Halloween Harry (12/1), Bolton Boy (20/1)

ALMOST GOLD ran with credit in a stronger contest last time when his stable was going through a lean spell and seems sure to play a big part. With the step up in trip in his favour Apple Mack can improve again while Ballybough Nora is another for whom improvement is likely and can do better.