15:17 Exeter

Sunday 26 March 2023

All14:0714:4215:1715:5216:2717:02

Bet At racingtv.com Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:17 | Winning time: 6m 23.14s

Merry Mistress^v1²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: David Dennis| OR: 106WS

8/1

Fair winner at 20f over hurdles who has matched that form without convincing with her application in a couple of starts over fences, soon off bridle before sticking at it again when fourth at Ludlow (20f) earlier this month. Visor enlisted on back of a wind op.

Form: U24334

Stanley Stanley⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Bannister| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 104

7/1

Went the right way in handicap hurdles for Paul Nicholls during summer 2021 and encouraging she could run well for a long way (on back of lengthy absence) when fourth on belated return/chase debut at Wetherby (19.4f) in January. Entitled to improve on that here.

Form: 5/8211-4

Head And Heart^h¹⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 102

18/1

Placed on 2 of her 3 starts in mares' novice hurdles during 2021/22 at around 21f. Never figured from stiff opening mark on return/handicap debut at Exeter (21.6f) in November. Market should prove a useful guide now attentions are switched to chasing.

Form: 2/6263-8

River Tyne¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 95| BF| D

16/5

Maiden who is progressing gradually over fences, not jumping fluently but no faulting her attitude when runner-up at Plumpton (25.7f) 2 weeks ago. Mark has crept back up but she should get involved again.

Form: 6-34222

Havanella^p³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 85| D

11/1

Point winner who pretty much matched her modest hurdles form at third attempt over fences when 8 lengths fourth at Lingfield (23.5f) 5 weeks ago. Mark has eased further 1 lb ahead of this but she needs to pull out more to play a lead role here.

Form: 654-7P4

Wind Tor¹⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: Rex Dingle| T: P Gundry| OR: 81| CD

7/1

Back-to-back winner of C&D handicaps 12 months ago (including this race) but she doesn't come here in anything like the same groove, tailed off long way out and pulled up at Hexham (3m) 10 days ago.

Form: 5-3066P

Kingsmill Gin¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: James Best| T: Miss J Du Plessis| OR: 80

4/1

Modest chase winner (at 3¼m) who was far from disgraced tackling inadequate trip when fourth over inadequate 19f trip here in February. Below form back over hurdles here (23f) 16 days ago but she's certainly no forlorn hope back over fences from a career-low mark.

Form: 5-3U345

Ya Know Yaseff^p,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 77| D

5/1

Successful sole start in Irish points. Made much more impact than previously over hurdles when runner-up under a positive ride at Fakenham 3 starts back. Failed to complete both starts over fences to date but she isn't handicapped out of things judged on latest run.

Form: 7892UU

Firefly Lane^t1²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Bryony Frost| T: J D Frost| OR: 64| D

16/1

Little impact both starts in bumpers/trio of novice/maiden hurdles and no upturn for switch to handicaps when pulled up at Taunton (23.9f) 12 months ago. Absent subsequently and no easy task on her hands now chasing from long way out of the weights.

Form: 12UP32

Forecasts

River Tyne (16/5), Kingsmill Gin (4/1), Ya Know Yaseff (5/1), Wind Tor (7/1), Stanley Stanley (7/1), Merry Mistress (8/1), Havanella (11/1), Firefly Lane (16/1), Head And Heart (18/1)

RIVER TYNE remains unexposed as a stayer and again ran well to finish runner-up for the third consecutive start over fences at Plumpton 2 weeks ago, so a repeat should see her go well again. Stanley Stanley is one of the least exposed and can also figure with progress anticipated. Ya Know Yaseff is also not one to be writing off.