16:35 Exeter

Thursday 12 October 2023

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Stephen Gibb (Potter) Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 4m 40.4s

Hobie¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: David Bass| T: David Dennis| OR: 105

14/1

Irish point winner who stepped up on low-key hurdles debut when landing a Worcester maiden (2m) in May. However, following 3 months off he struggled in both of his starts in September, so he needs to get back on track as he makes his chasing bow.

Form: 0-5134P

Dan's Chosen^p⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 105

16/5

Bounced back to form in refitted cheekpieces when scoring at Newton Abbot (21f) in July, but failed to back up that effort on his next outing. Resumed winning ways when making all at the same C&D last month, though might find it tougher to repeat the same tactics this time.

Form: P-76141

Red Happy^b,t⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 101| BF| CD

8/11

Scored 3 times in 2022, bagging handicap chases (including at this course) off much higher marks than this either side of landing the odds in novice hurdle at Southwell. Reverted to fences, back to form when second at Fontwell (26f) 6 days ago and he can go one better.

Form: 40-3652

Getthepot^p,t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryony Frost| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 93

7/1

Successful twice in handicap chases in 2022 but little promise this year, including back over hurdles on his last 2 starts having left Fergal O'Brien. Others more persuasive as he returns to chasing.

Form: 1R-5P6P

Scrumpy Boy^p,t⁸¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 86

25/1

Has returned to form on his last 2 starts, produced to lead soon after 5 out when getting back to winning ways at Newton Abbot (21f) in July. Respected as he makes first run for yard after leaving Keiran Burke.

Form: 1/P5-U21

Troed Y Melin¹⁷⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour| OR: 79| CD

22/1

Took advantage of a reduced mark when making a successful reappearance at Warwick (25.4f) in May last year, but his form his gone the wrong way since then. Has plenty to prove after a further 6 months off.

Form: 5P36PP-

Non-Runners

Gallow Ford⁵²⁵

Weight: 11-11| Age: 8

T: Katy Price J: Shane Quinlan

Fanzio⁷⁰

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: L Hurley J: Brendan Powell

Forecasts

Red Happy (8/11), Dan's Chosen (16/5), Getthepot (7/1), Gallow Ford (8/1), Hobie (14/1), Troed Y Melin (22/1), Scrumpy Boy (25/1), Fanzio (25/1)

Having dropped a long way in the weights, RED HAPPY returned to form when runner-up at Fontwell 6 days ago and he can build on that to return to winning ways. Scrumpy Boy was successful at Newton Abbot when last seen in July and is feared most on his stable debut, with Dan's Chosen the pick of the remainder.