16:40 Exeter

Friday 11 March 2022

All13:1513:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:40

Virgin Bet Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 6m 50.30s

Ballybreen^v¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Lewis Gordon⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 97| CD

6/1

Yet to fire this term, but was keeping on in a share of fourth when unseating 4 out at Chepstow 13 days ago. On a fair mark and visor goes back on.

Form: 2-P56FU

Give Us A Swig³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: J R Wildman⁽⁷⁾| T: S Curran| OR: 90| D

9/4

Off the mark over hurdles at Worcester (20f) in July and placed three times over fences this winter, including when clear of the remainder in second at Ffos Las 38 days ago. Could land this weak race.

Form: 353352

Bellamy's Grey²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: M G Nolan| T: C J Gray| OR: 88| C

12/1

Shed long-standing maiden tag when landing a 21.6f handicap hurdle here in January but followed it with a tame display. Hard to fancy back over fences.

Form: 3-P831P

Wind Tor¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Miss Chloe Emsley⁽⁷⁾| T: P Gundry| OR: 86| D

7/2

Seven-time winner between the flags and has become nicely handicapped over fences. Shaped well when runner-up at Chepstow 13 days ago, so could make a big impact under a more positive ride.

Form: B35342

Jurys Out^b1¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 85

12/1

Hurdles winner at Carlisle in 2019. Placed 3 times over fences since but his 4 efforts this season haven't been up to much. Bounce back needed in first-time blinkers.

Form: 2P-P9P4

Kestrel Valley^p1,t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 84

11/2

Won brace of handicap hurdle in a busy campaign last season. Just the one effort of note over fences this season, and his latest at Chepstow wasn't encouraging. Tried in cheekpieces, now.

Form: 4-65434

Kind Witness^t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: B Lund| OR: 84| D

33/1

Efforts in handicaps over fences not devoid of promise at a lowly level and he's best not judged on his latest effort in a novice hurdle, when facing a stiff task. Could get involved.

Form: 402U64

Timely Gift^t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 72

6/1

Ended 2019 on a high, bagging a couple of handicap hurdles. However, lightly raced and struggled for form since, never threatening when third over fences last 2 starts. Engaged 3.10 Wincanton Thurs.

Form: 2P-6933

Non-Runners

Calarules¹⁷

Weight: 11-8| Age: 9

T: Tim Vaughan J: Alan Johns

King Orry¹

Weight: 10-4| Age: 7

T: Mrs S Gardner J: Sean Houlihan

Forecasts

Give Us A Swig (9/4), Wind Tor (7/2), Kestrel Valley (11/2), King Orry (11/2), Timely Gift (6/1), Ballybreen (6/1), Bellamy's Grey (12/1), Jurys Out (12/1), Calarules (14/1), Kind Witness (33/1)

GIVE US A SWIG was clear of the rest when second at Ffos Las in February and finds himself in a really weak race with a 7-lb conditional on board, so he seems the obvious way to go. Wind Tor could pose a threat if ridden more prominently than the last twice, while Ballybreen isn't one to rule out from a reduced mark.