15:35 Exeter

Sunday 11 February 2024

All14:0514:3515:0515:3516:0516:3517:05

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 24.10s

My Drogo¹⁰⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 151

12/1

Smart winning hurdler/chaser in 2020/21 but off for 23 months before only ninth of 11 in handicap chase at Aintree (19.9f, soft) 105 days ago. Switches to hurdles and not written off on his handicap debut in this sphere.

Form: 111F1/9

Gowel Road^t1²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 143

11/2

Very useful hurdler who arrives in good nick, third of 10 in 23f handicap hurdle at Lingfield 21 days ago. Tongue strap on 1st time. One to consider.

Form: 7/21-473

Third Wind²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: H Morrison| OR: 141

33/1

Back to his very best when landing the final of this series at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. Off 22 months before pulled up in handicap hurdle at Warwick (25f, soft) 29 days ago. Can build on it now.

Form: P7331/P

Mill Green²⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 140

12/1

Very useful winning hurdler/chaser who posted a respectable third of 14 in handicap chase at Warwick (24f, soft) 29 days ago. Can make his presence felt switched to hurdles.

Form: 333-023

Angels Breath²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: S Thomas| OR: 138

12/1

Jumping has proved an issue in pair of outings over fences this term and not disgraced back in this sphere when fourth of 10 in handicap at Lingfield (23f, good to soft) 21 days ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: P2-2744

Hititi^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryan Carver| T: R Walford| OR: 137| C

4/1

Course winner who comes here on the back of a good second of 8 in handicap hurdle at Plumpton (25f, soft) 35 days ago, running on. Can go well again.

Form: 111-422

Captain Morgs^p⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 136

33/1

Useful but not the most straightforward, hanging left off the bridle (also flashed tail) when second over fences at Huntingdon in November. Pulled up at Cheltenham back hurdling since so others appeal more.

Form: 10P-42P

The Big Breakaway²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 135

22/1

Runner-up in last season's Welsh National at Chepstow but lost his way over fences after and came in a well-held sixth reverted to hurdles at Warwick last time. Needs to take a big step forward.

Form: PF-5PP6

Carbon King²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: H Cobden| T: Evan Williams| OR: 129

20/1

Progressive when winning 3 handicap hurdles in Ireland last season and, making his first start over fences for his current yard, returned to form when winning handicap at Ffos Las (19.4f) in December. Stiff task in Grade 2 at Warwick last time so he could bounce back now hurdling again.

Form: 16-8P1P

Goshhowposh⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 127| CD

6/4

Low-mileage 7-y-o who has been successful on both his completed starts in handicaps this season, scoring over C&D and finding plenty to see off 7 rivals (Shallow River second) at Wincanton (3m, soft) on Boxing Day. Raised 6 lb but there could easily be more to come. Big shout.

Form: 243-1U1

Shallow River^p²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 124

10/1

Thirteen runs since last win in 2022 but arrives on the back of a creditable third of 8 in handicap hurdle at Warwick (25f, soft) 29 days ago. Needs considering despite being 1 lb "wrong" in the weights.

Form: 222423

Non-Runners

American Sniper¹

Weight: 10-5| Age: 6

T: D Pipe J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Goshhowposh (6/4), Hititi (4/1), Gowel Road (11/2), Shallow River (10/1), Mill Green (12/1), Angels Breath (12/1), American Sniper (12/1), My Drogo (12/1), Carbon King (20/1), The Big Breakaway (22/1), Captain Morgs (33/1), Third Wind (33/1)

GOSHHOWPOSH displayed a good attitude when going in at Wincanton on Boxing Day and with few miles still on the clock he can defy a 6 lb rise and bag a third success of the season. Course scorer Hititi is feared most on the back of a good Plumpton second, with veteran Mill Green another who could have a say reverted to this sphere. Gowel Road completes the shortlist.