15:10 Exeter

Sunday 26 November 2023

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:3815:1015:45

Gerald George Lacey Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 6m 24.65s

Landen Calling^b,t¹²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 126| D

20/1

Largely progressive over hurdles and run out a facile winner on chase debut at Bangor (3m) in May. Runner-up both starts thereafter in small-field contests and not discounted back from 4 months off.

Form: 128-122

Bridge North²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: H Cobden| T: H D Daly| OR: 125

18/1

Very useful hurdler who made a winning start over fences in 3-runner handicap chase at Newbury (23.4f, soft) in March. Fell at Perth a month later though and made mistakes early and never figured when pulled up on return at Huntingdon (23.6f) 3 weeks ago.

Form: P751F-P

Investment Manager^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 124| BF| C

12/1

Enjoyed a productive summer over fences at Newton Abbot, winning twice at up to 25.7f. Filled runners-up spot all 3 starts since and no surprise to see him give another good account for all this rates tougher than of late.

Form: 311222

Run To Milan^t¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Alan Johns| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 122| CD

7/1

All 3 career victories have come at this venue, the latest over C&D in February of last year. Winless last term but confirmed he retains plenty of ability back from 7 months off when fourth in a C&D handicap 16 days ago. Assessor has relinquished a little more.

Form: P3372-4

Atlanta Brave³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 121| BF| D

11/4

Irish point winner who was 2-4 over hurdles last season and despite being well supported, he shaped as if needing the run when fifth of 9 on return/handicap chase debut at Cheltenham (19.7f) in October. Remains the type to do better in this sphere (successful sole start in points).

Form: 12114-5

Mumbo Jumbo^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 120

9/1

Yet to win a race of any description but ended last term with a good second in novice handicap company at Taunton (23f, heavy) in March. Let down by jumping when falling on return at Newbury (23.4f) 17 days ago though and others make more appeal on balance.

Form: 4/2342-U

Sheldon²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: James Best| T: J W Mullins| OR: 118| C

7/1

Bagged his second chase win here (19.2f) on New Year's Day and plenty of good efforts in defeat thereafter, looking likely winner when falling last at Stratford (22.5f) in May. Never figured on hurdles return in October and he does need to brush up his jumping returned to larger obstacles.

Form: 4353-F6

Enjoy Your Life¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 114| BF

7/4

Fairly useful ex-French winning hurdler/chaser who showed bundles of enthusiasm back from 6 months off when second over fences at Wincanton (20f) 2 weeks ago. Worth siding with to build on that back up in trip.

Form: 0/352-72

Forecasts

Enjoy Your Life (7/4), Atlanta Brave (11/4), Run To Milan (7/1), Sheldon (7/1), Mumbo Jumbo (9/1), Investment Manager (12/1), Bridge North (18/1), Landen Calling (20/1)

ENJOY YOUR LIFE went with plenty of zest and highlighted he's ready to strike when runner-up back from 6 months off at Wincanton (20.2f) 2 weeks ago and, back up in trip, he can prove himself on a handy mark. Atlanta Brave remains the type to do better in this sphere and is expected to be sharper for his Cheltenham return effort. Run to Milan and Investment Manager complete the shortlist.