14:25 Exeter

Wednesday 1 January 2020

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:05

Join Racing TV Now Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:27 | Winning time: 6m 38.10s

The Kings Writ⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Joshua Newman⁽⁷⁾| T: K Woollacott| OR: 132| CD

10/1

Has earned both his wins here, the first over C&D (heavy), and the more recent over 2m3f (heavy) just over a year ago, when 8lb lower. Continued in decent form, though was below par on his return in November. Contender if better for that.

Form: 1/F142-3

Know The Score^p,t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 129| BF| D

4/1

Has won once in all disciplines so far, his chase success coming on debut at Warwick (2m7f, good to soft) in October. Weakened quickly and pulled up at Haydock when 5lb higher in better race last time. Bit to prove now from same mark.

Form: 3133-1P

Mr Caffrey^p³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 128| D

11/1

Won 4-20 over hurdles and came good at the second time of asking over fences when a 1L winner (front pair 10L clear) at Bangor (3m, heavy) in November. Can't argue with a 6lb rise for that. Unexposed and he looks a big player.

Form: 2211-41

Captain Drake^p⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 127| D

7/2

Bumper and dual handicap hurdle winner at up to 3m, including on heavy. Was running a good race over C&D (soft) when unshipping his pilot two out in November, and can't be ruled out from the same mark.

Form: 112-07U

Barbrook Star^p²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 125

12/1

Dual chase winner in 2019, the more recent being at Warwick (3m1½f, good to soft) in November, when 5lb lower. Not as good at Sandown last time, but can be inconsistent, so can't rule out a much better effort again here.

Form: 817-613

Dancing Shadow^b²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Bryony Frost| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 125| BF| C

8/1

Loves it here, despite only scoring once at the track when a novice hurdler. Again ran well when second over C&D (soft) in November. 3lb higher now, and can't rule him out each-way, but a win would be a bit of a surprise.

Form: 4244-25

Snuff Box³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 124

8/1

Heavy ground maiden hurdle winner at Wincanton (2m4f) in 2018, and went close over C&D on his second chase start last March. 4lb higher now, and well held by Mr Caffrey at Bangor when last seen, so more needed.

Form: 1/0266-4

Muffins For Tea^t²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 123

11/1

Scored over fences at Taunton (2m7f, soft) in 2018, and improved on that in two further starts that season. Not seen again until last month, when he ran well for a long way before tiring (over hurdles). Should be better for that. Interesting.

Form: F3122/5

Western Climate²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 110| BF| CD

9/2

Won this race two years ago (heavy), when 15lb higher. Spent last season in the doldrums, but recent efforts since joining this trainer have been more encouraging. Looks a potential contender again.

Form: PPP-F32

Coopers Square²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: James Nixon⁽⁵⁾| T: T H Weston| OR: 110| CD

16/1

4-9 over fences, including over C&D (good) in April, when 18lb lower. Has improved again since then, acts on heavy and if you can forgive his latest effort you couldn't rule him out.

Form: 1112-20

Non-Runners

St Erney²⁸⁹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: Miss J Du Plessis J: Kieron Edgar

Forecasts

Captain Drake (7/2), Know The Score (4/1), Western Climate (9/2), St Erney (8/1), Snuff Box (8/1), Dancing Shadow (8/1), The Kings Writ (10/1), Muffins For Tea (11/1), Mr Caffrey (11/1), Barbrook Star (12/1), Coopers Square (16/1)

A competitive handicap chase where the presence of back-to-form previous winner of the race Western Climate adds an interesting angle, while Coopers Square, who has a good chase strike-rate, could also make his presence felt. Barbrook Star, The Kings Writ, St Erney, Mr Caffrey and Captain Drake are others for whom cases can be made, but the suggestion is MUFFINS FOR TEA. Colin Tizzard's gelding showed up well on his return from a lengthy absence last time. He is unexposed over fences and looks a big player from this mark, with that run under his belt.