15:35 Exeter

Sunday 20 November 2022

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:05

Plymouth Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 4m 37.2s

Volkovka²⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 125| C

33/1

Fairly useful hurdler who won on her reappearance last season but found life tougher off higher marks subsequently. Remains 7 lb above that successful mark on return to action.

Form: 3/12645-

Holly⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 124

13/2

Triple French bumper winner who left form of hurdling debut behind when cruising clear to land a novice at Wincanton last December. Shaped encouragingly when third in 2m Chepstow handicap on reappearance 44 days ago and almost certainly capable of better still. On the shortlist.

Form: 115/51-3

Forever Blessed³²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 123| BF

11/4

Impressive winner of juvenile hurdles at Ffos Las and Sandown on first 2 starts. Badly hampered early and easy to ignore his effort in Grade 1 Finale at Chepstow on final start. Remains a useful prospect.

Form: 11P-

Oscars Moonshine³⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 119| C

9/1

Form took off when completing a hat-trick in autumn 2020 but he was off a year prior to finishing second at Newton Abbot (21.5f) last October and absent again since. Seemingly had a few issues but in-form top yard could easily have him ready.

Form: 06111/2-

Hartur D'oudairies³⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 117| BF

3/1

Decisive winner of sole bumper start in France and went in again on 2m Warwick hurdle/stable bow last November. Actually bettered that bare form when last of 5 in a useful contest at Cheltenham the following month. Returns as an unexposed sort frrom a top yard who should have more to offer.

Form: 1/15-

Ballymagroarty Boy²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Buckley⁽³⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 117

40/1

Proved at least as good as ever sporting first-time blinkers when runner-up at Warwick (3¼m) in February 2021. Not seen again until sixth of 12 at Ffos Las 4 weeks ago. That suggests he retains ability but this trip is too short for him.

Form: 24732/6

Bluffmeifyoucan^t²⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 114| CD

28/1

Career best when winning 6-runner C&D novice hurdle in February. Unexposed but others look better treated now moving into handicap company on his return.

Form: 37791-

Watergrange Jack³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 113| D

12/1

Irish bumper winner who has shown fair form over hurdles for this yard, building on his runner-up effort at Uttoxeter in May when going one better at Ffos Las (2½m) in June. Off 4 months, not at best when 21 lengths fourth at Newton Abbot 5 weeks ago but he may be sharper for the run.

Form: 240-214

Djelo³⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 114

11/2

Bought for €140,000 after making a winning debut in a juvenile hurdle in France a year ago. Stable has yet to get going this season but he's still an interesting contender, particularly if the betting vibes are strong.

Form: 1-

Petticoat Lucy²¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 112

22/1

Won a Wincanton novice hurdle on Boxing Day last year but checked out tamely in 2 subsequent starts last season, including a handicap. Returns from 7-month break with a bit to prove.

Form: F6/31P8-

Norton Hill^p1,t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 110

10/1

Landed a Wincanton bumper on debut for Jack Barber last November. Has reached the frame 3 maiden/novice hurdles since, the latest for a new stable after 9 months off. Cheekpieces on first time. Likely improver in handicaps.

Form: 124-3

Non-Runners

Martinhal³³⁹

Weight: 11-9| Age: 7

T: D Pipe J: T Scudamore

Forecasts

Forever Blessed (11/4), Hartur D'oudairies (3/1), Djelo (11/2), Holly (13/2), Oscars Moonshine (9/1), Norton Hill (10/1), Watergrange Jack (12/1), Martinhal (14/1), Petticoat Lucy (22/1), Bluffmeifyoucan (28/1), Volkovka (33/1), Ballymagroarty Boy (40/1)

Several possible improvers in an interesting handicap hurdle. A tentative vote goes the way of Dan Skelton's HARTUR D'OUDAIRIES who hasn't been seen for 11 months but has a good record fresh. Confidence in his chance would increase if the betting vibes are strong. Forever Blessed, Holly and French-recruit Djelo are others who almost certainly have their best days ahead of them. David Pipe's dual C&D scorer Martinhal is also worth keeping an eye on in the market back from wind surgery.