Devon Heat Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:58 | Winning time: 4m 19.85s

The Raven's Return^p1²²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Daniel Sansom| T: J W Mullins| OR: 113| BF

9/2

Arrived in good form, but was let down by jumping under a change of tactics when last of 6 in handicap hurdle at Fontwell (19.2f, heavy, 2/1) in March. First-time cheekpieces need to sharpen him up.

Form: 462326-

Jack Valentine²⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Hugh Nugent⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 110| D

2/1

Bumper winner who made it fifth time lucky over timber when winning 12-runner novice hurdle when last seen at Exeter (16.8f, heavy) 8 months ago. Makes handicap debut and there may be more to come.

Form: 133221-

Russian Exile²⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁸⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 106

10/1

Well held sole start in bumpers but showed more than previously over hurdles when fourth of 17 in novice hurdle at Wincanton (15.3f, soft) 8 months ago. Worth a market check on handicap debut.

Form: 60F4-

Nearly Famous⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Shane Quinlan| T: G Harris| OR: 102

11/1

Winner of big-field Ballinrobe handicap hurdle for Jessica Harrington in 2018. Not seen out in this sphere for 647 days, but efforts on the Flat this summer suggest that she retains plenty of ability.

Form: 000416/

Kerb Line²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 102

6/4

Ran well despite not being ideally placed in a modestly-run affair on reappearance at Fontwell earlier this month. He remains unexposed and looks a leading player here from just a 2 lb higher mark.

Form: 0663-2

Panatos²⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Page Fuller| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 93

28/1

Modest stayer on Flat who has been soundly beaten in 3 starts over hurdles but should make more of a splash in handicaps. Interesting to see what the market makes of him on return.

Form: 080-

Non-Runners

Breffniboy¹³

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: J Farrelly J: Mitchell Bastyan

Forecasts

Kerb Line (6/4), Jack Valentine (2/1), Breffniboy (3/1), The Raven's Return (9/2), Russian Exile (10/1), Nearly Famous (11/1), Panatos (28/1)

Hard to rule out any of these, but preference is for KERB LINE, who posted a solid runner-up effort on his return at Fontwell earlier this month despite not being ideally placed in a modestly-run affair. He should come on from that and can gain his first victory. Jack Valentine had a bit in hand when scoring at Exeter in March so is feared most on his handicap bow, ahead of Nearly Famous.