16:40 Exeter

Tuesday 9 April 2019

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:1517:50

Watch Racing TV Now Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 5m 12.82s

Saturdaynightfever⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 115

9/1

Promising sort in bumpers (showed some fair form) and finally got to show what he is capable of over hurdles last time out in a decent Chepstow novice (race had some depth). Steps into handicaps now off a stiff enough mark but can't be ignored.

Form: 457-3F7

Move Above^p1¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Lee Edwards| T: A Ralph| OR: 113

12/1

Cheekpieces on for the first-time he's quickly switched into handicaps after just two outings over hurdles (shaped with promise both times over 2m). Left a strong impression that he'll be suited by this trip, further progress can't be ruled out.

Form: 31543

Rosemary Russet^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 112

6/1

0-10 over hurdles and faces some improving types in this and that will make life tough for her. She's in good heart and sure to run her race (often goes from the front) but help from the handicapper is needed.

Form: 762424

Hard To Forget³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Dave Crosse| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 112

10/3

Winner in the point-to-point field who was still unexposed when landing a Sedgefield handicap last time after a fair break. Suited by the way the race developed and wasn't missed in the market; still has more to give despite the 10lb rise.

Form: 3-08531

The Detainee^p⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 112

40/1

Made hard work of things on the AW when last seen and didn't exactly impress when last seen in this sphere at the end of the summer at Fontwell (2m6f). Yet to win over hurdles; vulnerable off this sort of mark.

Form: 43-3275

Flying Verse^t,v¹⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: David Dennis| OR: 110

22/1

In good form last year winning three handicaps over hurdles all at 3m and going the right way in a very steady fashion. Possibly found his last race coming too soon over 3m here in November; now back from a break, may need this.

Form: 153214

Ballybough Nora¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁵⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 110

6/1

Failed to fire last time out (tactics may not have been ideal) over 2m7f here; had shown the time before on handicap debut (2m5f) that she has potential in this sphere. Mark requires improvement but one to keep an eye on.

Form: 1-34435

Sammylou^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 110

20/1

Looking at his best form so far some cut in the ground is required with both his best recent efforts coming on good-to-soft (won off 103 at Huntingdon). Below form on a quicker surface last time at Fontwell; needs to show more here.

Form: 00B135

Halloween Harry¹⁶

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

10/1

His handicap debut showed what he was capable of as he was travelling well until departing (unseated rider) here three out over 2m7f last time. May have well not won but would have been placed; sort who can continue to progress.

Form: 1366U

The Brothers⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 106

11/1

Two efforts in December gave him the look of one who would improve in handicaps especially over this sort of trip. However, since then he's turned in two lacklustre efforts and it's hard to know what to expect here.

Form: 043556

Crossley Tender³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Henderson| OR: 105

16/1

Attracted interest when making his handicap debut over the longest trip he had faced so far at Wincanton (2m5f); just failed to score. Once again was well found in the market last time, numerous mistakes blighting his chance, need to jump better.

Form: 303425

Cracker Jak¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 102

5/1

Improved last time out to build on the promise of his previous run to take a Newbury 3m handicap (well positioned under a good ride). Form nothing special, more needed off an 8lb higher mark but should continue to be of interest.

Form: 069321

Gambling Gamut⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 99

25/1

Looked the sort to have been brought along with handicaps in mind but despite finishing third here on his debut over 2m7f he didn't give the feel of a real improver. Turned in a very flat display last time; others make more appeal.

Form: 5P-443P

Forecasts

Hard To Forget (10/3), Cracker Jak (5/1), Rosemary Russet (6/1), Ballybough Nora (6/1), Saturdaynightfever (9/1), Halloween Harry (10/1), The Brothers (11/1), Move Above (12/1), Crossley Tender (16/1), Sammylou (20/1), Flying Verse (22/1), Gambling Gamut (25/1), The Detainee (40/1)

A wide open contest and one that could well prove strong form for the grade and a complex puzzle for backers. There are several unexposed quantities here with Saturdaynightfever and Move Above both expected to be suited by the switch to handicaps. Last time out winners Hard To Forget and Cracker Jak are both respected although the duo have hefty rises to cope with for their wins. Crossley Tender ought to be winning something like this but his jumping hasn’t stood the test so far and it’s HALLOWEEN HARRY who was in the process of showing more than he had before last time when unseating that takes the eye; he’s taken to gain compensation.