City Of Exeter Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 3m 58.40s

Red Mix^h²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 125| D

4/1

Useful form over fences/hurdles in France but has so far failed to really fire in GB in either sphere failing to complete under both disciplines. His jumping over hurdles has been more miss than hit (fell first last time); best watched for now.

Form: 23P24F

Sao^h,t¹³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124WS

8/1

First run back from wind surgery having been unbelievably keen in his all his runs for this yard including on his handicap debut in November. Obviously has talent (winner over hurdles in France); still time for him to come good if he settles better.

Form: F/1242-7

First Figaro^b1⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 120| D

12/1

Had plenty of experience in bumpers (fairly useful 2-8) also ran on the Flat before switching yards; won on debut for his current trainer (appreciated the good ground). Disappointed in the main since then including back on good ground last time.

Form: 39-1050

Legal History^b⁹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 111

1/1

Having shown some decent form on the Flat (still a maiden) his form over hurdles has a progressive look about it. Scored at Ascot last time under an excellent ride (same pilot today); looks well treated under a 7lb penalty in an easier grade.

Form: 34221

Megalodon^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: P J Brennan| T: P Henderson| OR: 106

6/1

Looked to be going the right way judged on his Lingfield form in January (backed at long odds), that run giving hope for handicaps. Not really hit his straps in handicaps as yet; looks as though he could do with a longer trip than this.

Form: 009206

Catchin Time^p⁴³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Edward Austin⁽⁷⁾| T: L Hurley| OR: 97

9/1

Consistent sort but this looks tougher than the company that he usually takes on and likely to find this too tough. Returned to form last time under today's rider but 2lb out of the weights against some with more progression in their locker.

Form: 323482

Non-Runners

Clayton²⁵

Weight: 11-9| Age: 10

T: A Watson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Legal History (1/1), Clayton (7/2), Red Mix (4/1), Megalodon (6/1), Sao (8/1), Catchin Time (9/1), First Figaro (12/1)

The race that LEGAL HISTORY won recently at Ascot appeals as strong form and despite a 7lb penalty he looks well treated in a bid to follow up. Red Mix has yet to convince with his jumping over hurdles in this country and Sao back from a wind op needs to show that he can settle in his races. That means that First Figaro may well be the bigger danger especially on a sound surface which he appears to favour. Megalodon has yet to fire in handicaps but he shouldn’t be written off having shaped well before those last two disappointments.