16:45 Exeter

Wednesday 2 February 2022

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:45

Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 6m 14.82s

Cooldine Bog³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Max Kendrick| T: F O'Brien| OR: 119

10/1

Winning hurdler/chaser in Ireland who made a positive start for new trainer Fergal O'Brien when second over 3m at Musselburgh on New Year's Day. Much respected off same mark.

Form: 67P-572

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Bean In Trouble³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 117

7/2

Back to winning ways at Wetherby (3m) in December. Went down only to a progressive sort at Warwick on New Year's Eve. No reason why he won't give another good account.

Form: 3-42312

Mr Tambourine Man^b,t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 113

14/1

Consistent form figures but he hasn't been close to his best when a well-held fourth on his last 2 starts. Bounce back called for.

Form: 242444

Honor Grey⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 112

9/2

Runner-up in Ayr maiden hurdle last January but he hasn't reproduced that in 3 handicap starts since. Still fairly days but others arrive with more pressing claims.

Form: 4428-35

D'jango^p,t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Philip Armson⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 109| D

16/1

Form: 407F4F

Johnny B²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Page Fuller| T: C J Down| OR: 104

13/2

Maiden who is well handicapped on his peak form but has been beaten a long way on his last 4 outings, finishing a distant fourth over C&D latest.

Form: 230504

Raddon Top^p²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 103| C

7/2

Multiple point winner who showed improved form under Rules when making a successful handicap debut at Exeter (21.5f, heavy) 3 weeks ago. Longer trip now should suit and likely to go well again.

Form: R-18851

Surdoue De Ballon^p1⁶²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: K Woollacott| OR: 102

33/1

Fair chaser in France for Louisa Carberry, leaving her stable after finishing third in an Auteuil claimer in December. Reverts to hurdles for new yard. Perhaps best watched.

Form: 43-4353

Don Alvaro^t⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 99

13/2

Tongue tied and up in trip, most encouraging effort to date when 7 lengths second on 3m Wincanton handicap debut in December. He was well clear of the third and the winner has boosted the form since.

Form: 02-5532

Tactical Manoeuvre⁷³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 95| CD

66/1

Notched 4 wins during his time with Jeremy Scott, including here, but he hasn't offered much in 2 starts for his new yard this season.

Form: 6418-P0

Forecasts

Raddon Top (7/2), Bean In Trouble (7/2), Honor Grey (9/2), Johnny B (13/2), Don Alvaro (13/2), Cooldine Bog (10/1), Mr Tambourine Man (14/1), D'jango (16/1), Surdoue De Ballon (33/1), Tactical Manoeuvre (66/1)

The Paul Nicholls-trained DON ALVARO bumped into a progressive sort when second on his Wincanton handicap debut in December and could have more to offer himself so he's the suggestion in a competitive finale. A sound case can also be made for Cooldine Bog, Bean In Trouble and last-time-out course scorer Raddon Top.