15:00 Exeter

Wednesday 1 January 2020

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

Racing TV Extra Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 4m 18.75s

Bullionaire^h²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 136

4/6

Useful novice hurdler who stepped up on his debut here (2m1f, soft) in November when making all to win a Uttoxeter maiden hurdle (2m, heavy) by an easy 15L last time. Carries a penalty for that, but a big player again.

Form: 12/P31

War Lord⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: R Johnson| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 122| BF

7/2

Improving novice. Scored in a Plumpton maiden hurdle on his debut in this sphere (2m, soft). Stepped up significantly on that when third under a penalty at Hereford in November. Will need further improvement to win again, but can't rule that out.

Form: 5-13

Clonmonarch^t1⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke

66/1

Not devoid of promise in bumpers, but pulled up on hurdles debut and then beaten a long way twice since. Tongue-tie goes on here, but can only watch until we see more.

Form: 3-44P69

Echo Du Large¹⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Adam Wedge| T: R Stephens

40/1

Made a promising debut here in a bumper (good) in May, but ran too free at Newton Abbot in July, on his only subsequent start. Jumping success in his pedigree, so may be able to kick on again now hurdling. Market check suggested.

Form: 48

Flagrant Delitiep²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: R Walford

40/1

Improved on his Lingfield hurdles debut (2m3½f, heavy) when 100-1 and tried here (2m1f, soft) last month. Still needs plenty more than that, however, if he is to have a say this time.

Form: 7459

General Probus²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Kieron Edgar| T: J Scott

16/1

100-1 on debut here (2m1f, soft), but after not being the most fluent in the jumping department, he stuck on well for fourth. If he can raise the bar this time, he could be a nice each-way prospect.

Form: 4

Howaboutrightnow²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Matt Griffiths| T: W S Kittow

66/1

Not devoid of promise in a couple of bumpers, but couldn't improve on that on last month's hurdles debut over C&D. Much more needed this time.

Form: 550

Laurie Come On³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood

28/1

Made immediate improvement from his bumper debut when switched to hurdles at Plumpton (2m4½f, soft) in November. Slightly better back over that C&D last time. Each-way player, but will need more to win this.

Form: 953

Oscars Moonshine⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls

16/1

Made a promising start in a Chepstow bumper for Colin Tizzard in October, but couldn't build on that back there on his hurdles debut. Has since changed hands and the betting could be our best guide to initial expectations for another top trainer.

Form: 58

Pens Man¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill

25/1

Won an Irish point on sole start in that sphere, and not devoid of promise in a bumper and two novices' hurdles so far. Much more needed to win this and should be more interesting when going handicapping.

Form: 1-477

Sir Psycho^p⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117| BF

3/1

Former Irish-trained gelding who has shown improvement in three runs for this trainer, winning a Wincanton juvenile hurdle comfortably and running well on his handicap debut when beaten favourite at Taunton. 7lb claimed here. Probable contender.

Form: 414

Cobra Angel²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: James Davies| T: C J Down

66/1

Runner-up in one of her four Irish points. Not devoid of promise on her hurdles debut here (2m2½f, soft) in November, but couldn't build on that when upped in trip at Warwick. Need to see more.

Form: P/6-246P

Forecasts

Bullionaire (4/6), Sir Psycho (3/1), War Lord (7/2), Oscars Moonshine (16/1), General Probus (16/1), Pens Man (25/1), Laurie Come On (28/1), Flagrant Delitiep (40/1), Echo Du Large (40/1), Cobra Angel (66/1), Howaboutrightnow (66/1), Clonmonarch (66/1)

The two most obvious candidates here are those carrying penalties and BULLIONAIRE stands out as the one who looks more capable of defying his to score again. War Lord is very much respected and should be able to make a good race of it. General Probus, Laurie Come On, Sir Psycho and stablemate Oscars Moonshine are others who could be in the hunt for prize money.