15:55 Exeter

Wednesday 1 February 2023

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:30

Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 5m 51.6s

Jepeck³⁷

Age: 14| Weight: 12-2| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 122| D

40/1

Won at Wincanton from 2 lb higher 13 months ago but firmly at the veteran stage now and below par in both starts this term.

Form: 3224-4P

Samuel Jackson^p³³

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: M G Nolan| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 120| C| D

40/1

Posted encouraging third on return in Bangor handicap chase but disappointed at Haydock next time and is likely best watched back over the smaller obstacles here.

Form: 344P-3P

Broadway Boy⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 119

85/40

Low-mileage 5-y-o who has made a sound start to his career in recent months, runner-up in maiden/novice events before striking on Aintree handicap debut, proving well suited by the step up to 3m. The runner-up boosted the form by winning next time, so he holds leading claims.

Form: 221

Just A Dime^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 117| BF| CD

11/2

Successful twice from 5 starts in points and made the perfect start to his Rules career when landing C&D novice hurdle last March. Confirmed he's quite useful when runner-up at Carlisle 9 months later but failed to fire making a quick switch to handicaps last time. Tongue tie back on.

Form: P/111-25

Aimee De Sivola²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 116

12/1

Won handicap at Newton Abbot in April 2021 and ran to similar level in 2 chase starts for Nick Williams subsequently. Suited by the emphasis on stamina when runner-up at Hereford (25.5f, soft) 4 weeks ago so she's one for the shortlist from just a 1 lb higher mark.

Form: 4/23-4F2

Itacare^b,t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 115

33/1

Took advantage of a reduced mark when off the mark for this yard at Ludlow (21f) in March. Placed a few times since but his last 3 efforts have been disappointing.

Form: 433456

Bobo Mac^p³⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: T Symonds| OR: 114

28/1

Veteran who was useful at his best and confirmed he still has plenty to offer when a ready scorer at Chepstow in November. Unable to take his resurgence up another notch in a better race last time but back in class 4 company here, he's not ruled out.

Form: 576-214

Lady Kk^t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 112

4/1

Runner-up at this venue over fences the last twice and only just touched off on New Year's Day. Reverts back over hurdles here and she could have a say in proceedings.

Form: P455-22

Farmer's Gamble³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 111

7/2

Dual winner last season who has posted solid runner-up effort on his last 2 outings, never seeming to be going especially well but showing bundles of stamina at Warwick (26f, heavy) on New Year's Eve. Others more appealing.

Form: 161-622

Poldark Cross^v⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: H Whittington| OR: 107

22/1

Point winner. Runner-up twice in handicap hurdles last season and was in the process of running a big race when exiting 2 out on return at Ffos Las (3m). Held when unseating 3 out at Plumpton since, though. Returns to the smaller obstacles after those 2 non-completions.

Form: P2P2-FU

The Bold Thady^p⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 100

12/1

Has shown a fair level of ability over hurdles but weak finishes on his 3 out of his last 4 outings raise a few doubts, fourth at Wincanton (24.7f, good to soft) a couple of months ago. Not one to trust.

Form: 323534

Forecasts

Broadway Boy (85/40), Farmer's Gamble (7/2), Lady Kk (4/1), Just A Dime (11/2), The Bold Thady (12/1), Aimee De Sivola (12/1), Poldark Cross (22/1), Bobo Mac (28/1), Itacare (33/1), Samuel Jackson (40/1), Jepeck (40/1)

Having finished runner-up on his first couple of outings, BROADWAY BOY went one better on handicap debut at Aintree early in December and with that form receiving a boost from the second since, Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge gets the vote. Lady KK has hit the crossbar on both starts this season here over fences so she may emerge as the main danger back over hurdles, with Aimee de Sivola and Just A Dime another couple to consider.