18:20 Exeter

Tuesday 7 May 2019

All17:2017:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:20

Ship Inn Teignmouth Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:20 | Winning time: 5m 40.50s

King Calvin^t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber| OR: 125

18/1

Hasn't taken to chasing, pulling up on his last two attempts. Was a progressive novice hurdler a year ago and returns to this sphere off 8lb lower mark. Clearly well handicapped on old form is chasing stint hasn't blunted his enthusiasm.

Form: 2/1S8PP-

Here's Herbie^t¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 121| C

15/2

3-8 at this venue and won here over 2m2f on penultimate start in good style. Seemed to get tired over 2m5f last time at Fontwell and extra 2 furlongs is a step into the unknown. Stamina questions to answer.

Form: 433413-

Nativegetaway¹³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 120

6/1

Just three runs to date under Rules and went close on second start at Chepstow (2m3f) in November. Tried to make all there on soft ground last time. Steps up in trip for handicap bow and encounters better ground so is of some interest.

Form: 3/52329-

Stop The World^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 120

3/1

Still a maiden but has some respectable placed from including when runner-up over C&D two starts ago. Went even closer at Ayr last time off 3lb lower mark and should again be in the thick of the action.

Form: 3/63522-

Mr Mafia¹⁷⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Stock⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 118| D

20/1

Revelation since joining current yard a year ago, winning four consecutive handicap hurdles and going close in four more starts. Outclassed at Cheltenham in November last start but back for summer campaign now. Remains 11lb above last winning mark.

Form: 132230-

Midnight Glory²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 115

7/2

Improving handicapper who won at Ludlow and Wetherby this winter and looked set for another success until falling 3 out at Ludlow in late-February. Fair third after six-week break at Ayr lst time and with yard in good form has good claims.

Form: 0141F3-

Max Forte^p¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 112| CD

5/2

Landed this race 12 months ago off 4lb higher mark but disappointed most starts this winter prior to wind surgery. Better effort on first start since when runner-up atWarwick last time and off 2lb lower should make bold bid to win this again.

Form: 087682-

Bertie Boru²¹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-9| J: T J O'Brien| T: C J Gray| OR: 108| C| D

33/1

Won 3m handicap chase here two years ago for Philip Hobbs but no joy since and pulled up here last time out on third start for current yard. Back over hurdles but hard to enthuse over given recent form.

Form: 378/74P-

Forecasts

Max Forte (5/2), Stop The World (3/1), Midnight Glory (7/2), Nativegetaway (6/1), Here's Herbie (15/2), King Calvin (18/1), Mr Mafia (20/1), Bertie Boru (33/1)

If there's any market support for King Calvin that would be highly significant as he's well handicapped on old form, but STOP THE WORLD looks a safer call having run well at around this trip of late. He deserves to get his head in front. Last year's winner Max Forte could go well here once again, while Midnight Glory, Nativegetaway and Mr Mafia are capable if things go their way. Old Here's Herbie loves it here but takes quite a step up in trip for a horse now into the veteran stage.