15:20 Exeter

Monday 1 January 2024

All12:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:55

Lou Years Day Birthday Stakes Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 17.29s

Imperial Joe⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Houlihan| T: T Dennis| OR: 105| C

8/1

Most consistent last season, winning three times. Back on track to some degree at this course last time and handicapper has dropped him 2 lb since, so not without hope.

Form: 1612-45

Pawpaw^v¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Max Kendrick| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 102

80/1

Off the mark over fences at Hereford (20.9f) in March and doubled his tally at Fontwell (21.6f) in May. Has struggled since, however, leaving David Bridgwater prior to penultimate outing.

Form: 13-144P

Bolsover Bill^p,t¹⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Miss Victoria Malzard⁽⁵⁾| T: Harry Derham| OR: 102| D

5/2

Thrived with the tongue tie refitted last term, gaining a fourth success over fences at Plumpton (19.7f) in March. Well held both starts in the summer but interesting runner for new yard (formerly with Warren Greatrex) back down in the weights having been freshened up by a break.

Form: 4213-84

I Love You Sivola^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 96| D

10/1

Fair hurdler/chaser in France but not much encouragement for current stable.

Form: 823-765

Lightonthewing²⁸⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: James Best| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 94| BF| CD

10/1

Doubled his tally over fences with a likeable front-running display at Fontwell in February. Disappointed there following month, however, and off since.

Form: 313U1P-

Time To Bite^b¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour| OR: 88| CD

3/1

One win from 26 NH runs. Career best when winning 11-runner handicap chase at this C&D (heavy, 10/1) 11 days ago. Worthy of respect for all that he's not the most consistent.

Form: 23-3351

Blue Ribbon²²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: R Chapman| OR: 84

12/1

Fair 2m hurdles winner for Dr Richard Newland in 2021 but struggled to make a significant impact in handicap chases for current yard last season. Might need the run back from 7 months off, so others are more appealing.

Form: 4/7442-5

School For Scandal¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: M G Nolan| T: J Tickle| OR: 80

14/1

Belatedly opened his account when scoring from the front in a Taunton handicap chase on final start of last season. Good second at Fakenham on return but has disappointed at Hereford since. Hard to rely on.

Form: 3PP1-29

Merry Monty¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 80| BF

4/1

Again attracted good support and only found one too good over hurdles at this course 19 days ago. Clearly thought to be well treated, so can make his presence felt if taking to chasing.

Form: 857/552

Christopher Clive³⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: J Tickle| OR: 69

125/1

Of little account and makes no appeal on chasing debut for a new yard.

Form: 89/6U9P-

Non-Runners

Saintemilion¹¹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 11

T: J D Frost J: Bryony Frost

Forecasts

Bolsover Bill (5/2), Time To Bite (3/1), Merry Monty (4/1), Imperial Joe (8/1), Lightonthewing (10/1), I Love You Sivola (10/1), Blue Ribbon (12/1), School For Scandal (14/1), Saintemilion (50/1), Pawpaw (80/1), Christopher Clive (125/1)

BOLSOVER BILL lost his form for Warren Greatrex but, having been given a break by the handicapper and freshened up by his new stable, he might be worth chancing to bounce back. Last-time-out C&D winner Time To Bite needs considering and Merry Monty is of interest over fences for the first time.