18:50 Exeter

Friday 16 April 2021

All16:5017:2017:5018:2018:5019:2019:50

Duralock Signature Racerail Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:50 | Winning time: 4m 25.1s

Espressino^h,t¹³³

9/4

7/2, posted career best when winning 16-runner handicap hurdle over C&D in December. Since had wind op so much respected on her return despite 9 lb hike.

Form: 72U121

Eclair Des Sablons^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 97

5/1

Still a maiden, and only eighth of 13 in handicap (25/1) at Ffos Las (20f) 15 days ago. Others appeal more.

Form: U58FP8

Merry Berry³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Max Kendrick⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 92

8/1

Has been brought along steadily, and posted good fifth of 11 in 2m novice (33/1) at Wincanton 36 days ago. Back up in trip now for handicap debut and capable of better.

Form: 54-3805

Sheila's Spirit¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Miss H C Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: D J Coakley| OR: 92

14/1

Yet to finish higher than eighth in three runs over hurdles, 150/1 when ninth in 2m5f novice at Warwick 17 days ago. Into handicaps now but others are still lot more persuasive.

Form: 0-43899

City Flame^p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 86

14/1

Modest maiden hurdler. Not disgraced in first-time cheekpieces when fading sixth of 15 in 2m5f handicap at Wincanton (25/1) 18 days ago. Much respected dropped back in trip.

Form: 054096

Harry Haze²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: P C Dando| OR: 79

11/4

Largely consistent sort who arrives on back of good third of 9 in 2m6f handicap at Hereford 23 days ago. Shortlisted in search of his first win.

Form: 5-75653

Altumanina³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: R T Dunne| T: S Allwood| OR: 77

16/1

Upped in trip and showed her first form when fourth of 14 in 2m5f handicap at Huntingdon (80/1) 30 days ago. Others remain better treated though.

Form: U3-P8P4

Ragtag Rascal¹³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: David Noonan| T: C Honour| OR: 72

22/1

Lightly-raced maiden hurdler who has offered little both runs for his new yard. Very hard to make a case for.

Form: 6P-89

Lucky Circle⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: David Prichard⁽⁵⁾| T: L Hurley| OR: 70

50/1

Poor maiden on Flat and over hurdles. 3 lb out of the handicap too so it's easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 0-D0PB8

Mighty Mustang⁷⁸⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁵⁾| T: Andrew Martin| OR: 69

50/1

Yet to show any ability in six starts over hurdles. Off over 2 years with lots of work to do.

Form: 4P7P80/

Felicissimus¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 62

25/1

Lightly-raced maiden hurdler. 150/1, raced too freely when twelfth of 14 in 2m5f novice at Warwick 17 days ago. Needs a massive step forward from 11 lb out of the weights.

Form: 3P-80

Non-Runners

Menapian³²

Weight: 10-6| Age: 10

T: Mrs H R J Nelmes J: Paul O'Brien

Forecasts

Espressino (9/4), Harry Haze (11/4), Eclair Des Sablons (5/1), Merry Berry (8/1), City Flame (14/1), Sheila's Spirit (14/1), Menapian (14/1), Altumanina (16/1), Ragtag Rascal (22/1), Felicissimus (25/1), Lucky Circle (50/1), Mighty Mustang (50/1)

Not nearly so competitive as the numbers suggest, and Fergal O'Brien's lightly-raced mare MERRY BERRY is worth siding with to open her account now she goes into handicaps upped in trip. Espressino has undergone a breathing op since scoring over C&D before Christmas so is feared most, although veteran Menapian is handily weighted if at his best so can't be ruled out easily either.