13:40 Exeter

Thursday 16 December 2021

All12:0012:3013:0513:4014:1514:4515:15

Join Us On New Year's Day At Exeter Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 6m 19.59s

Morning Spirit⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 129| D

8/1

Made up into a fairly useful hurdler last term. Failed to complete on return/debut over fences at Aintree, but he has the look of a chaser and will be a danger to all here granted a clear round.

Form: 3135-2F

Coup De Pinceau^p⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁵⁾| T: H Brown| OR: 128| CD

28/1

Hit the target for Nick Mitchell at Taunton last term and positive start for Ralph Smith when third back from a break at Wincanton. However, below par there next time and since changed hands again.

Form: 18-8038

New Age Dawning^t¹⁰⁰¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 127| C| DWS

16/1

Winner of 2 of his 3 starts during 2018/19, including a 23.6f Chepstow novice hurdle. Lengthy absence an obvious concern ahead of this chase debut, but one to note in the betting. Has had a wind op.

Form: 2121/

Arian^p,t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 127

16/1

Improved model for this yard, notching third success over fences at Newton Abbot in October. Solid second at Ffos Las (19.4f) next time and she shapes as though this new trip will be within range.

Form: 1F35-12

Volcano^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 127| C| D

66/1

Thrived over fences last term, winning 4 times, but he hasn't made much of an impact so far this season.

Form: 31P-09U

No Rematch³¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 126| D

6/1

Hurdles winner during 2019/20 campaign and made a successful chase debut following almost a year off at Chepstow (23.6f) in February. Absent since, but evidently goes well fresh and 9 lb rise fair.

Form: 0F412/1-

Sub Lieutenant^b1,t³⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Howell| OR: 126

66/1

Smart chaser in his pomp, but doesn't appear to be the force of old and ran poorly back from a break/wind op at Sandown last month.

Form: 2440-35

Classic Ben^p³²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 125| D

11/1

Solid second in a similar, big-field C&D handicap on reappearance last season. Not in the same next 2 starts, but resumes on a workable mark and he's certainly not without hope.

Form: V35/247-

Thomas Patrick^p⁴⁰⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: T Lacey| OR: 124| C| D

33/1

Big improver over fences a couple of seasons back, winner of Grade 3 Aintree handicap in 2018. However, disappointing since (pullled up last 3 starts) and 13-month absence to overcome.

Form: 8P4PP/P-

Faustinovick^t²⁶⁹

10/1

Yet to win a race of any description, but found just one too good on 5 of his 7 starts switched to fences last season. Trip/ground fine and each-way shout if tuned up for this reappearance.

Form: 422222-

Redford Road⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 123| D

11/2

Winner of a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham in 2019 and while he has proved disappointing over fences so far, it would be unwise to rule him out in light of assistance from the handicapper.

Form: 8374P-0

Lamanver Pippin^p,t1⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 120| DWS

14/1

Winless since 2019 and started this season just as he ended his 2020/21 campaign, with a poor effort. Hopes pinned on recent wind op/fitting of a tongue strap helping to spark a revival.

Form: 37P7P-P

Captain Tommy¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 120| D

14/1

Gained breakthrough success over fences for this yard at Uttoxeter (3m) in May. However, he hasn't gone on as hoped in 3 starts since returning from a break and this assignment demands improvement.

Form: 4-13563

St Erney²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: Miss J Du Plessis| OR: 120| BF| CD

13/2

Both wins have been registered over this C&D, the latest on his seasonal reappearance last month. Lost no caste in defeat when runner-up back here next time and should give another good account.

Form: 0P3P-12

Little Red Lion^b,t²⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 119| D

14/1

Winner of both completed starts over fences last season and also scored over hurdles in January. Jumping will be tested round here, but will be a threat if he does get into a good rhythm.

Form: B11F1F-

Huntsmans Jog^v²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 119| BF| C| D

13/2

Fairly useful hurdler (successful here last December) and runner-up 3 times from 4 starts over fences. Still, he proved something of a let-down at Doncaster last time and others look stronger.

Form: 34-5222

De Young Warrior³⁰⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: J Scott| OR: 118

22/1

Runner-up in a bumper on sole outing for Gillian Boanas in 2018. Showed fair level of ability over hurdles last term and should make a chaser, but pitched into a tough race for debut in this sphere.

Form: 2/3353-

Non-Runners

Illegal Model¹¹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: C E Longsdon J: Paul O'Brien

Forecasts

Redford Road (11/2), No Rematch (6/1), Huntsmans Jog (13/2), St Erney (13/2), Morning Spirit (8/1), Faustinovick (10/1), Classic Ben (11/1), Illegal Model (12/1), Captain Tommy (14/1), Little Red Lion (14/1), Lamanver Pippin (14/1), New Age Dawning (16/1), Arian (16/1), De Young Warrior (22/1), Coup De Pinceau (28/1), Thomas Patrick (33/1), Sub Lieutenant (66/1), Volcano (66/1)

Cases can be made for any number of these, but NEW AGE DAWNING is the most fascinating and appealing candidate. Admittedly, his well-being has to be taken on trust following a lengthy absence, but he looked a useful prospect over hurdles a couple of seasons back and this 7-y-o is every inch a chasing type. No Rematch is greatly respected and he is second choice ahead of Morning Spirit and Arian.

NEW AGE DAWNING (IRE)
NO REMATCH (IRE)
MORNING SPIRIT (IRE)

Previous Winners

2020

Cobolobo

Weight: 11-10 |Age: 8

J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr. | T: J & A O'Neill

12/1

Prize Money

1st: £13,615.002nd: £6,272.003rd: £3,135.004th: £1,570.005th: £350.006th: £350.007th: £350.008th: £350.00