12:20 Exeter

Sunday 1 January 2023

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

Passage House Inn Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:20 | Winning time: 5m 3.60s

Garincha^p⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: James Best| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 118

13/2

Successful over hurdles at Wetherby (19.7f) in December 2021 and, having ended last term with a good third at that venue, made a winning return/chase debut at Bangor (20.3f) in November, albeit left in front soon after last. Shortlisted.

Form: 124U3-1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Sheldon³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 117

5/1

Impressive winner on first go over fences at Stratford (20.9f) in October but has fallen both starts since, not jumping so well prior to departing at Lingfield on his latest outing. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 73-31FF

Marco Island³⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Lorcan Williams| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 117| D

7/2

Bumper winner on debut who made his second hurdles start a winning one at Chepstow (19.4f) in February. Didn't jump too fluently on that occasion and now reappears over the larger obstacles, but has the look of a better chaser. Respected.

Form: 121-

Upton Road³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: T J O'Brien| T: M Scudamore| OR: 117

14/1

Irish points winner who remains lightly raced under Rules. Promise on first 2 starts over fences before possibly failing to stay when pulled up on handicap bow at Carlisle (24.5f) in November. Still has some potential back down in trip.

Form: 1F/4-7P

Hititi^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: James Davies| T: R Walford| OR: 110| C

3/1

Ended last season over hurdles on a high, winning handicaps at Fontwell and this course. Shaped better than distance beaten suggests on second start over fences when fourth of 8 at Chepstow (19.4f), needing lesser test. Open to further progress.

Form: 2211-U4

Investment Manager^p³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: J Tizzard| OR: 107

17/2

Fair winner at 21.5f over hurdles and matched that level on first attempt over fences when runner-up in handicap at Ffos Las (19.4f) on return. In 1st-time cheekpieces, didn't see his race out at Taunton (23f) last time. Back down in trip.

Form: 125P-25

King Turgeon^p1,t1⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 110

4/1

Brother to a pair of winners in France (both placed in listed chases). Ran to a fair level when placed on both outings over fences so far, runner-up in handicap at Lyon Parilly in November. Has left Gabriel Leenders and can make a winning British debut.

Form: 7-22

Merchant In Milan^t⁴⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 72

80/1

Poor maiden hurdler who was set a stiff task on chase debut, finishing a tailed-off third of 4 to McFabulous in novice at this C&D in November. Best watched on handicap bow.

Form: 6/U563-3

Non-Runners

Dibble Decker⁶⁰

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: T Lacey J: Non Runner

Dom Of Mary⁴⁸

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: D G Bridgwater J: Paul O'Brien

Forecasts

Hititi (3/1), Marco Island (7/2), King Turgeon (4/1), Sheldon (5/1), Garincha (13/2), Dom Of Mary (13/2), Investment Manager (17/2), Dibble Decker (10/1), Upton Road (14/1), Merchant In Milan (80/1)

An opening-looking contest, with KING TURGEON an interesting contender as he makes his British debut. Bred to make a chaser, the 5-y-o was placed on both of his outings over fences in France and he can make a successful start for David Pipe. Heading the list of dangers is winning-hurdler Marco Island, who has the look of a better chaser, while Garincha is also capable of going well.