14:30 Exeter

Sunday 13 February 2022

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Virgin Bet British Stallion Studs EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 5m 2.05s

Doctor Ken^t1⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 126| D

15/8

Bumper winner who built on hurdling debut promise when landing 19.2f Ascot maiden in November. Below form upped in grade at Cheltenham since. Tongue tied for 1st time. One to consider.

Form: 241-315

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Triple Trade²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 124

8/11

Has improved on all his five runs over hurdles, suited by the step up in trip when scoring with something to spare at Lingfield 3 weeks ago. Still more to come from him, so high on the shortlist.

Form: 5-3431

Bonza Boy³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: David Prichard⁽⁵⁾| T: J Scott

33/1

Stepped up on his inauspicious display in a bumper when fourth of 14 on hurdles debut here (16.7f) in December. Similar form next time and will find easier opportunities than this.

Form: 045

Captain Rose

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

33/1

£20,000 3-y-o, Telescope gelding. Half-brother to 4 winners, including fairly useful chaser Halo Moon, stayed 3m, and fair hurdler Chantara Rose, stayed 25f. Interesting newcomer.

Form:

Dom Bosco⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: T R George

33/1

Nicely bred and showed plenty to work on when third at Ludlow first time out. Disappointed given that promise next time but worth a market check ahead of his hurdles bow.

Form: 36

Merry Monty⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: James Davies| T: C J Down

150/1

Well held on first 2 starts but appeared to show a bit more than previously when fifth here on New Year's Day. Tough to fancy on hurdling debut however.

Form: 705

Pachacuti^t1³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe

22/1

Promising first run when fouirth in bumper but ran below that level sent hurdling in a first-time hood last time. Tongue tie on, but handicaps down the line sure to be more suitable.

Form: 48

Saffron Tiger¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Mrs S Gardner

250/1

Showed no more than he had in a bumper when tailed off on hurdles bow at this track (21.6f) 11 days ago. Best watched.

Form: 08

Stringtoyourbow¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams

80/1

Not knocked about when seventh on debut and showed more when finishing a place better at Wincanton since. Looks a handicap project though.

Form: 3-76

Tamgho Borget^t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams

150/1

Point winner but failed to beat a rival in a bumper and made a noise on hurdles debut in May. Found the test inadequate on yard bow after 9 months off (had wind op) so watching brief advised.

Form: 10-P7

Trelawne

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

16/1

Geordieland gelding. Dam (c100/h77), 25f chase winner, half-sister to fairly useful hurdler/chaser (stayed 3m) Lord Tomnoddy. Appears to be stable's first string on jockey arrangements.

Form:

Urban Grit¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy

16/1

Fairly useful form when placed in bumpers but never dangerous in pair of novice hurdles in recent weeks. Likely to do better in time.

Form: 2364

West Orchard²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard

50/1

Well held in bumper/pair of maiden hurdles over this trip. Looks one for staying handicaps later on.

Form: 858

Forecasts

Triple Trade (8/11), Doctor Ken (15/8), Trelawne (16/1), Urban Grit (16/1), Pachacuti (22/1), Bonza Boy (33/1), Captain Rose (33/1), Dom Bosco (33/1), West Orchard (50/1), Stringtoyourbow (80/1), Merry Monty (150/1), Tamgho Borget (150/1), Saffron Tiger (250/1)

This looks to concern the two penalised winners TRIPLE TRADE and Doctor Ken, with preference for the former having continued his race-by-race progression to open his account at Lingfield 3 weeks ago. With further improvement on the cards, he shades the vote. Olly Murphy's charge rates as the obvious threat ahead of Kim Bailey's debutants Trelawne and Captain Rose.