14:35 Exeter

Friday 2 December 2022

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

Martin Jones Decorative Specialists Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 4m 49.28s

Captain Tom Cat^p1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 137

33/1

Developed into pretty smart chaser last year, successful 4 times including a Grade 2 at Wincanton. After returning over hurdles, found things tough in Old Roan at Aintree in October and pulled up at Cheltenham last time. Cheekpieces now applied.

Form: 41F-27P

Alnadam^p²²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135

20/1

Dual-winner as a novice over fences in 2020/21 but didn't go on as hoped last season, falling at the fifth at Perth when last seen in April. Has dropped to a workable mark ahead of his reappearance.

Form: 7/43P2F-

Shakem Up'arry^t1²³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Luca Morgan⁽³⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 134

16/5

Much improved when opening chase account at Haydock (16.3f) in December and made the frame next 3 starts. Shaped well when third in Red Rum Handicap at Aintree when last seen, staying on strongly. Can make winning return with tongue tie on 1st time.

Form: 0/U1323-

Make Me A Believer^t⁶⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 134WS

10/1

Chepstow bumper winner and got off the mark at the second attempt over hurdles, successful in a Cheltenham novice (16.8f) back in December 2020. Has lengthy absence to overcome as he makes chase/handicap debut (has had wind op).

Form: F1213/

Gladiateur Allen⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 130| CD

10/1

Fairly useful hurdler who showed improved form to make a winning chase debut at this C&D a year ago. However, has gone the wrong way since then, seemingly losing confidence with his jumping.

Form: 14FUP-4

Ree Okka^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 129| BF| D

7/4

Irish point winner who landed 2 novice hurdles at up to 24.5f last winter. After 9 months off (had wind op) and in first-time tongue tie, shaped promisingly on chase debut when second of 4 at Ascot (19.9f) last month. Respected.

Form: 12117-2

Maypole Class²³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 129| D

80/1

Progressed well initially over fences in 2020/21, winning handicaps at Bangor and Fakenham (both at around 20f). Pulled up next 4 starts, though, before returning to form from out of the blue when successful at Carlisle n April.

Form: 1PP/PP1-

Native Robin^p,t²¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 128| D

40/1

Better than ever last season, gaining fourth success of the campaign at Wincanton (20.1f) in February. After 8 months off, shaped as if needing run when down the field at Cheltenham 21 days ago. May just find others better treated.

Form: 31114-7

Galop De Chasse²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 124

6/1

Winning hurdler in France who doubled his tally over fences in novice handicap at Ludlow in February. After 8 months off, ran well when second at Aintree (15.8f) last month, shaping as if a return to further will suit. Not taken lightly.

Form: P2132-2

Tile Tapper²⁷⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour| OR: 124| C| D

10/1

Fairly-useful hurdler who improved on his first 2 starts over fences when readily winning handicap at Chepstow (19.4f) in February, jumping soundly and travelling well. Open to further progress as a chaser.

Form: 38/7481-

Ede'iffs Elton^p,t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: D A Jacob| T: R Walford| OR: 117

11/1

All 3 career wins have come over fences at Wincanton, the latest over 25f in February. Better than a pair of non-completions this season suggest, going better than the winner when falling 2 out at Hereford last time. Interesting contender.

Form: 2414-PF

Forecasts

Ree Okka (7/4), Shakem Up'arry (16/5), Galop De Chasse (6/1), Tile Tapper (10/1), Make Me A Believer (10/1), Gladiateur Allen (10/1), Ede'iffs Elton (11/1), Alnadam (20/1), Captain Tom Cat (33/1), Native Robin (40/1), Maypole Class (80/1)

A competitive-looking contest, with preference for SHAKEM UP'ARRY to resume his progress on his return having developed into a useful chaser last season. The 8-y-o shaped as if ready for another try at this trip when staying on for third at Aintree in April, so he can get the better of Ree Okka who made a promising chase debut last month. Ede'iffs Elton completes the shortlist.