17:05 Exeter

Thursday 10 October 2019

All14:2014:5515:3016:0016:3517:0517:35

Timeform Premium Ratings Available At racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 17:05 | Winning time: 4m 1.2s

Searching^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 100

11/4

Posted a much better effort at Newton Abbot (2m2f; good) when third behind the highly-progressive Sizing Tara (runs in the 2.20pm). Comfortably holds Rocket Ronnie on that form, and looks to have a big chance if able to reproduce that form.

Form: 390/2-23

Rocket Ronnie^b²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: A Wintle| OR: 91

8/1

2lb better off with Searching after their Newton Abbot (2m2f; good) meeting in September. However, he was 17-length behind that rival then, and has a mountain to climb to reverse that form. Place claims at best.

Form: 228-555

Scaramucci⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R T Dunne| T: J Farrelly| OR: 90

20/1

Very difficult to make any sort of case for given his record (0-10) over hurdles. Posted yet another miserable effort when he was described as "virtually pulled-up" at Worcester (2m4f; good) last time out. Readily opposed.

Form: 00560-0

No No Tonic¹⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 88

33/1

One of a few in this contest who are having their first starts in a handicap. Couldn't quite cut the mustard in maiden hurdles, but should appreciate the drop in class. Respected especially if market speaks in his favour.

Form: 0-34

Binn Boru⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 87

7/1

Lightly raced and has only had a couple of runs over hurdles. Not set the world alight in his two handicap starts so far, but there is still plenty of time and this is another weak race. On the shortlist.

Form: 607-34

Dan Gun⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Alain Cawley| T: F O'Brien| OR: 85| BF

15/8

0-15 over hurdles, and he has been desperately disappointing in four runs this year. However, he was surprisingly well-backed into 3-1f before suffering another heavy defeat at Stratford (2m2f; good) in August. Risky but check market vibes.

Form: 5800-P8

Foxy Act^v³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 84| C| D

15/2

More encouraging signs when fourth at Newton Abbot (2m2f; good to soft) last month after a string of highly disappointing efforts. Place claims again if building on that run off an unchanged mark.

Form: 9-57P04

Vexillum^p,t⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 80| CD

9/1

Running consistently well this year for a 10-year-old. Made the frame once again when last seen at Worcester (2m4f; good) in August. Now reverts to hurdles over a C&D he has won at before. Drops back in trip, and has place claims.

Form: 3-54333

Bumble Bay^t,v1⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: James Best| T: R Stephens| OR: 73| D

16/1

Struggling for form over hurdles this season, and took another backwards step when beating just the one rival over hurdles at Bangor-On-Dee (2m3f; good) in August. Subsequently 26lb below his last winning mark, but is best watched for now.

Form: 425-P90

Forecasts

Dan Gun (15/8), Searching (11/4), Binn Boru (7/1), Foxy Act (15/2), Rocket Ronnie (8/1), Vexillum (9/1), Bumble Bay (16/1), Scaramucci (20/1), No No Tonic (33/1)

A tricky puzzle to solve with a few unexposed sorts lining up, namely No No Tonic and Binn Boru. The former is preferred of those two as he is making his handicap debut and may have been underestimated by the handicapper off an opening mark of 88. The latter is also respected after he only just failed to make the frame on his second handicap run at Newton Abbot. He has solid place claims once more. However, the one they all have to beat is SEARCHING who may not be open to as much improvement as some, but has show more than the majority of this field and should be bang there if able to run to the level he showed when third last time out.