14:40 Exeter

Tuesday 16 April 2019

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

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Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 34.8s

Master Work²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 125| CD

8/1

Debut winner over C&D (good) 18-months ago. Took him five attempts to win a handicap, but then followed up next time at Leicester, when 7lb lower. Has improved on that over fences on last two runs. Should be competitive.

Form: 115332

Nelson's Touch⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 121

16/1

Taunton maiden winner (heavy) last spring. Showed good attitude to hang on for a Uttoxeter handicap win in May. Ran well in Listed company earlier this season. Out of sorts lately but 4lb drop, 3lb claimer and longer trip may all help revival.

Form: 3-12260

Malachite⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 119

9/1

Huntingdon maiden winner (2m4f, soft) 14-months ago. Unable to better that in three further runs, but finally did so last time at Newbury. Same handicap mark today, so more needed, but an each-way player.

Form: 516-033

Renwick^p,t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 118

5/1

Another maiden hurdle winner, in his case at Hereford (2m3f, good) in November. Disappointed next time and then had wind surgery. Returned from that with a win last time at Uttoxeter. Headgear retained and from 5lb higher he has claims.

Form: 6-2151

Magna Cartor¹⁷³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 117

8/1

No hurdles win since October 2016, or on the Flat since August 2017. Stays well and acts on good ground. Has joined a very capable trainer, who has a good record of reviving others' cast-offs, so the market should be a good guide as to expectations.

Form: 736764

Here's Herbie^t²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 115| CD

8/1

Multiple hurdles winner, including twice over C&D. Not the force he once was, but ended a lengthy losing run at Taunton in December. Held from this 4lb higher mark on his last two starts, but can't rule him out of the frame.

Form: 814334

Bang On³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 114

5/1

Sole win came on good ground at Taunton (2m) in November. Still early days in handicaps and showed improved form when 3L third at Sandown last time. Nudged up 1lb for that, but stable in good form and worth another try over this sort of trip.

Form: 5-41603

Hattaab⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Mr Jason Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 102

2/1

Maiden under both codes after 15 career starts, mainly for Tom George. Went close on debut for this trainer at Southwell last time (1m7f, good), when front pair were 20L clear. This is tougher company, but not written off.

Form: 687-802

Forecasts

Hattaab (2/1), Bang On (5/1), Renwick (5/1), Here's Herbie (8/1), Master Work (8/1), Magna Cartor (8/1), Malachite (9/1), Nelson's Touch (16/1)

Now that we have seen more from Hattaab, a win here does not look beyond the realms of possibility, but his recent second came in a 0-105, and this is tougher. Check the market too, as money for Magna Cartor could prove to be significant on his debut for Dr Richard Newland. Master Work looks a very solid option, there are reasons to believe that Nelson's Touch could be on the brink of a revival, while Malachite can't be ruled out. Renwick looks a major player, but in a tricky puzzle to solve, BANG ON represents a yard in red hot recent form and after an improved effort last time, he is the suggestion.