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Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 16.10s

Itacare^b,t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 107

14/1

Scored from a 3 lb higher mark at Ludlow last spring but seems to have lost the plot, tailed off following a third breathing operation at Worcester (23f, soft) just over 3 weeks ago (said to have lost shoe). Plenty to prove.

Form: 34560-7

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Hunting Percival¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr George Hiscock⁽⁷⁾| T: S Hosie| OR: 107

80/1

Placed twice in points after leaving Tom Lacey but, could hardly have shown any less sporting a first-time tongue tie sent chasing at Stratford (22.6f, good) 10 days ago. That idea quickly shelved and needs to get back on track reverted to hurdling.

Form: 4/5362-P

Bluffmeifyoucan^t⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 104| BF

15/2

Sprung a surprise to land an Exeter novice in 2021/22 and returned to form from out of the blue when runner-up at Fontwell (21.8f, good) in February. Failed to back that up when a well-beaten third at Wincaton (24.7f, soft) next time and returns from 1 lb higher after nearly 3 months off.

Form: 1/0P023-

Sherborne^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁷⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 100

3/1

Had a breathing operation and that combined with a tongue tie/drop in the weights allowed him to double his tally over hurdles at Ffos Las (20f, soft) just over 3 weeks ago. 10 lb higher here but his rider negates most of that rise, so rates a major player.

Form: U/P468-1

Loved Out⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 93| D

5/2

Ffos Las winner last June and went down only on the nod after 8 months off back there (20f, good) 4 days ago. This a very quick turnaround but not dismissed if in the same mood.

Form: 312U8-2

Maroochi¹⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 91| CD

4/1

Made the frame on her first 5 starts of 2022/23 and deservedly opened her account over C&D in September, though had to settle for a share of the spoils. Fell 2 out back there a month later and again took a tumble when last seen at Taunton in November. Can figure if completing.

Form: 3221FF-

Kapitaliste^t,v¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 89| C

4/1

Ran creditably but was no match for a long-exposed veteran at Worcester (20f, good to soft) a fortnight ago, that a fifth placing since back-to-back wins at this track 12 months ago. Claims if building on that here.

Form: 2PP78-2

Forecasts

Loved Out (5/2), Sherborne (3/1), Kapitaliste (4/1), Maroochi (4/1), Bluffmeifyoucan (15/2), Itacare (14/1), Hunting Percival (80/1)

The combination of a breathing operation/first-time tongue tie worked wonders for SHERBORNE when he sauntered to victory at Ffos Las just over 3 weeks ago and Joe Tizzard's charge is fancied to go in again partnered by a conditional for the first time. Maroochi was in good form prior to a couple of tumbles late last year so she's put forward as the main threat on reappearance, ahead of Kapitaliste.