14:50 Exeter

Wednesday 13 December 2023

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

Haldon Stayers' Crown Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 8m 21.08s

Broomfield Present^v¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 127| BF

11/8

Useful winning hurdler last season who made a promising start in this sphere when third of 12 in handicap chase at this course (24.2f, soft) on return. Was still in the mix when brought down 3 out at Uttoxeter since and promises to be suited by this stamina test.

Form: 1/121-3B

Golden Sovereign²⁷⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 125WS

10/1

Opened chase account at Wincanton on final start of 2021/22 campaign and placed both completed starts at that course last term. Shapes as though worth another crack over this sort of trip and he's not discounted. Has undergone a wind op.

Form: P31/32U-

Silver In Disguise^p,t⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 122

11/2

Scored at Wetherby in April and got back on track after 5 months off when third of 9 in handicap chase at Carlisle (24.5f, soft) in October. Trip/ground won't be a problem and while he's never won off a mark this high, a bold show would be no surprise.

Form: 2P12-P3

Polish²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 121

9/1

Runner-up first 5 starts upon rejoining this yard, including both starts over fences at Worcester and Uttoxeter in September. However, put in his place in a Cheltenham handicap hurdle last time and while he stays 3m well enough, this trip represents unchartered territory.

Form: 222227

Domaine De L'Isle^b,t⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: S Curran| OR: 119| DWS

22/1

Tumbled down the weights and finally took advantage when landing small-field marathon at Chepstow (30.6f, soft) in March. That wasn't a particularly strong race, though, and he was pulled up on return back at Chepstow. Subsequently undergone a wind op.

Form: 06814-P

Foxboro^p³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 119

4/1

Bagged handicap chases at Fontwell and Newbury last season but those wins are interspersed with a number of low-key performances, including both starts this season. Stamina is also a concern, given that he hasn't scored over a trip beyond 22.4f.

Form: 561P-78

Lyrical Genius^b⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 113

6/1

Hurdle winner who hasn't looked an easy ride over fences but returned to form when going close under a positive ride at Carlisle (26.2f, soft). Shouldn't be far away if able to back that up, albeit his profile suggests that he's by no means certain to do so.

Form: 424P3-2

Non-Runners

In Rem⁴³

Weight: 11-5| Age: 8

T: Mrs J Williams J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Broomfield Present (11/8), Foxboro (4/1), Silver In Disguise (11/2), Lyrical Genius (6/1), Polish (9/1), Golden Sovereign (10/1), In Rem (14/1), Domaine De L'Isle (22/1)

This marathon trip should be right up BROOMFIELD PRESENT's street and he is taken to make it third time lucky over fences. The 7-y-o's reappearance effort in a competitive 3m handicap here was solid and his subsequent exit at Uttoxeter was through no fault of his own. Silver In Disguise is a proven stayer who won't mind deep ground and he is feared most ahead of Golden Sovereign.