14:20 Exeter

Wednesday 13 December 2023

All12:2012:5013:2013:5014:2014:5015:25

Higher Ashton Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:23 | Winning time: 4m 53.30s

Loukarak^p1⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 12-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 98

100/1

Fair form over hurdles and fences in France but has shaped with no encouragement all 3 starts for current connections. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 532P-7P

Bert Wilson^t,v²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss Ella Herbison⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 94

12/1

Reacted well to a visor last season, winning 2m4f handicaps at Plumpton and Chepstow. Not disgraced when fourth of 9 in handicap hurdle at Plumpton (20.5f, soft) 23 days ago and can't be dismissed.

Form: 1P14-P4

Tidal Storm^p1,t1²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 94| BF

11/1

Fair handicapper on Flat but hasn't kicked on over hurdles, producing another discouraging display switched to handicaps after 6 months off at Wincanton 20 days ago. Tongue strap/cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 30-76

Saintemilion^t²⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryony Frost| T: J D Frost| OR: 89| CD

80/1

One-time fairly useful chaser for Paul Nicholls but has shown little for current yard (including back over hurdles). Returns from 8 months off with lots to prove.

Form: 4476/60-

Battle March^h³⁰⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 88| CD

40/1

C&D winner who was let down by his jumping both starts last season. Fair bit to prove on return.

Form: 2661/0P-

Merry Monty²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Bryan Carver| T: C J Down| OR: 79| BF

11/10

Attracted support and again shaped better than the bare result when fifth of 15 in handicap hurdle at Taunton (16.5f, good to soft) 27 days ago. One to consider.

Form: 5857/55

Daany^h²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: H Cobden| T: J Tickle| OR: 79

9/1

Unreliable type who produced his best effort to date from 10 lb out of the handicap when second in 9-runner event at Wincanton (15.2f, soft) 20 days ago. Good chance if reproducing that back up in trip.

Form: P60-P62

Bellamy's Grey²³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: M G Nolan| T: C J Gray| OR: 75| C

20/1

Course winner but he's an unreliable sort and came in only fifteenth of 18 in handicap here (23.1f, good to soft) 7 months ago. Others make more appeal.

Form: 53P740-

Sindabella^p¹⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 73

12/1

Fourteen runs since last win in 2021. Lame when pulled up in handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (20.6f, good, 7/1) on final outing 6 months ago.

Form: 5P477-P

Champs Hill^t²¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 72WS

33/1

Yet to show any ability and easily passed over on his first start for 7 months. Has had a breathing op.

Form: 86/P8P-P

Wellwillya²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 72

6/1

Fared better than previously when sixth of 13 in novice hurdle at this course (16.7f, soft) 23 days ago. Remains to be seen if he's able to back that up.

Form: 6770-P6

Miss Harriett^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: P Gundry| OR: 70

28/1

Long-standing maiden who was well held after 19 months off at this course (21.6f, soft, 66/1) 17 days ago. Hard to make a case for.

Form: P642/P8

Starvidov^p,t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 69

11/2

Well held in bumpers and it's been a similar story over hurdles so far, including in first-time cheekpieces at Wincanton last month.

Form: 595-P70

Non-Runners

Libor Lad¹⁷

Weight: 11-3| Age: 5

T: David Dennis J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Merry Monty (11/10), Libor Lad (2/1), Starvidov (11/2), Wellwillya (6/1), Daany (9/1), Tidal Storm (11/1), Sindabella (12/1), Bert Wilson (12/1), Bellamy's Grey (20/1), Miss Harriett (28/1), Champs Hill (33/1), Battle March (40/1), Saintemilion (80/1), Loukarak (100/1)

LIBOR LAD got off the mark in style at Uttoxeter 17 days ago and promises to follow up from a 6 lb higher mark. Merry Monty has shaped better than the distance beaten suggests both outings this season and is second choice, ahead of Bert Wilson.