15:50 Exeter

Tuesday 16 April 2019

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

racingtv.com Devon Stayers Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 7m 45.40s

Snuff Box¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 127

16/1

Unproven beyond 3m and has run his best races on softer ground. Ran well here last month, when hinting that this longer trip could be within his compass. However, was tailed off from today's mark at Chepstow latest, so one or two things to prove.

Form: 2F1-026

Dancing Shadow^b²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: James Best| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 123| BF| C

10/1

Goes well here, acts on good ground and stays 4m1f. Is well treated on his form of 2017, and was back at that sort of level when 6L second over C&D in February. Backward step at Taunton last time, but dangerous to rule him out.

Form: 3-80424

Len Brennan⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 122

12/1

Yet to win, but has been thereabouts several times, including from today's mark at Carlisle (3m, soft) in February. This is his first try at an extreme trip, but pedigree gives him hope of getting home, and he's an each-way player.

Form: 32322P

Plantagenet^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 122

14/1

Has won two of his last four over fences, at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) and then at Plumpton (3m1f, good). 8lb rise followed, and he was well pulled up in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham latest. This company is more realistic. Not ruled out.

Form: 22121P

Bertie Boru²³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: T J O'Brien| T: C J Gray| OR: 117| C

20/1

Scored over 3m here in 2017, when on today's mark, for Philip Hobbs. Was off the track from November 2017 to last month. Showed he retains some ability with his latest effort here, when 66-1, and not written off back on this mark.

Form: 33/78-74

You Say What^b1,t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 115| C

4/1

All three career wins have been here over 2m7f-3m, and all on softer ground than is forecast. 1lb higher than his most recent success in November 2017, and he went close over C&D next time. Out of sorts since, but blinkers may help spark revival.

Form: 512PP-6

Sandhurst Lad^p²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 114| BF

7/1

Prominent racer. Unexposed after just five chases, having won one of them at Wincanton (3m1f, good) two starts ago. Respectable effort from 1lb higher last time, but dam a sister to 4m1f chase/Gold Cup winner Synchronised, so this trip could suit.

Form: P-44313

One Of Us⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Nick Williams| OR: 112| BF

9/2

Sole success from 14 starts came in an Ascot staying novices' hurdle (good to soft) last season. Has run well over fences at Wincanton on his last two starts (both 3m1f, good to soft). Handles good, and interesting tried over this longer trip.

Form: 0-52522

Kilcullen Flem^p,t1³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 109

8/1

Stays 4m on heavy ground and it's those softer conditions that are the key to this son of Flemensfirth. Held from 3lb higher last time, and tongue-tie now fitted. Needs rain to bring him into this.

Form: 34-P4P4

The Happy Chappy^t,v¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 106

17/2

A stern test on good ground is what he needs, and he gets that here. On a competitive mark, but has been hard work for his jockey on his last two starts. Not ruled out of the frame, but more needed for the win.

Form: 947623

Steel Native^h²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: D A Rees| OR: 102

8/1

Has never raced beyond 3m2f, and has shown all his best form on testing ground. No doubting he is in good form just lately, but this is significantly tougher than the race he won last time, and he needs improvement to follow up.

Form: 55-21P1

Forecasts

You Say What (4/1), One Of Us (9/2), Sandhurst Lad (7/1), Steel Native (8/1), Kilcullen Flem (8/1), The Happy Chappy (17/2), Dancing Shadow (10/1), Len Brennan (12/1), Plantagenet (14/1), Snuff Box (16/1), Bertie Boru (20/1)

An open look to this event, though a number of runners with form claims would prefer rain to soften up the conditions. Plantagenet acts on a sound surface and looks capable of being more competitive than at the Cheltenham Festival. One Of Us is another who should be thereabouts and is unexposed over this sort of distance. However, SANDHURST LAD still has scope for improvement, and with bags of stamina in his pedigree, he could be the one to side with this time. The Happy Chappy could plug on and make the frame if any of those mentioned are below par.