15:55 Exeter

Thursday 21 December 2023

All12:5513:2513:5514:2514:5515:2515:55

Merry Exeter Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:58 | Winning time: 5m 10.30s

Saintemilion^t⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁷⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 99| CD

125/1

One-time fairly useful chaser for Paul Nicholls but has shown little for current yard.

Form: 476/60-8

Divine Inspiration⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 99| BF

9/4

Irish point winner who made a promising start over fences when third at Wetherby (24.2f, soft) and backed that up when third at Plumpton on return. Entitled to come on for that and he's a player.

Form: 1/4093-3

Groom De Cotte^t⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: R P McLernon| T: S Curran| OR: 98

20/1

Below form over hurdles last 3 starts but potentially on a workable mark now going chasing (half-brother to smart chaser Camelia de Cotte).

Form: 3326-79

Tribesmans Glory^h²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 97

9/1

Fair winning chaser for Tom George in 2020. Lightly raced since but showed some ability remains after another 14 months off when third in handicap hurdle here last month. 5 lb higher back over fences.

Form: 24F0/8-3

Natty Night²²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 92

5/2

Headstrong sort. Dual Flat/maiden hurdle winner who posted best effort yet over fences when second at Hereford (20.9f) in March. Not in same form next 3 starts, though trip too far latest. Off 7 months. Potentially on a good mark now and yard remain in excellent form.

Form: 46624-4

Belgarum^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 86

10/1

Showed ability over hurdles but well held both starts over fences so far.

Form: 325-787

Flash Gorcombe^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: R Walford| OR: 85

9/2

Back-to-back winner in the spring and all the better for return when good third in a first-time tongue strap at Taunton 3 weeks ago. Player eased 1 lb.

Form: 811-243

Time To Bite^b¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour| OR: 79

10/1

Still without a win and disappointed last 2 starts after a decent return. Proving expensive to follow. Headgear re-fitted.

Form: 323-335

Etincelle Artiste^p,t²⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: Mrs F M Shaw| OR: 69

18/1

Runner-up sole start in points but just poor form under Rules. Work to do from out of the handicap.

Form: 87/83P-3

Mix Master^t⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: Katy Price| OR: 68WS

100/1

Poor maiden hurdler/chaser. Very hard to warm to from 5 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 08F-5PU

Sans Of Gold²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁵⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 65

20/1

Poor form at best over hurdles. Hard to make a case for from 8 lb out of the handicap on chase bow.

Form: P0758-0

Non-Runners

Lightonthewing²⁷⁸

Weight: 11-9| Age: 8

T: Mrs S Gardner J: Lucy Gardner

Caro Des Flos¹⁴

Weight: 11-5| Age: 11

T: J S Smith J: Non Runner

My Rockstar²¹

Weight: 10-5| Age: 7

T: Mrs H E Rees J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Divine Inspiration (9/4), Natty Night (5/2), Caro Des Flos (3/1), Flash Gorcombe (9/2), Lightonthewing (5/1), My Rockstar (8/1), Tribesmans Glory (9/1), Time To Bite (10/1), Belgarum (10/1), Etincelle Artiste (18/1), Sans Of Gold (20/1), Groom De Cotte (20/1), Mix Master (100/1), Saintemilion (125/1)

NATTY NIGHT could be worth chancing to make a winning return off a career-low mark with his yard still in excellent form. The thriving Caro des Flos is next best ahead of Flash Gorcombe.