15:05 Exeter

Friday 23 February 2024

All13:3014:0314:3315:0515:4016:1016:45

Don't Retire Without My Pension Expert Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 4m 39.36s

Ten Lengths Tom⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey

5/4

Promising individual who bagged 6-runner novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (19.9f, heavy) 89 days ago. Should improve again but has more to do under a 7 lb penalty.

Form: 21-61

Benville Bridge⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: Mrs F M Shaw

150/1

200/1, eleventh of 17 in novice hurdle at Wincanton (15.2f, soft) 42 days ago, needing stiffer test. Lots more is required.

Form: 6/70

Bredon Hill Dart¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner

100/1

100/1, seventh of 8 in novice hurdle here (18.5f, heavy) on hurdles bow 12 days ago. Needs to take a big step forward.

Form: 747

Royal Juniper^t¹⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 88WS

100/1

Off the mark in a Wexford handicap chase (2m, heavy) for previous connections in August. However, well held on yard/hurdles bow over C&D in November. Others appeal more.

Form: P7-41P0

Spirits Bay⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jordan Nailor| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

4/6

A useful bumper winner who has made a promising start over hurdles, runner-up at Sandown then set for third when falling last in novice hurdle at Cheltenham (16.8f, good to soft) 70 days ago. Stands out on form.

Form: 131-2F

Confused Again²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: James Best| T: Miss J Du Plessis

100/1

125/1, sixth of 8 in novice hurdle at this C&D (heavy) on NH debut 23 days ago. Much more required.

Form: 6

Elusiveness^t1³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott

11/1

Has hinted at promise both runs over hurdles, patiently-ridden fifth of 8 in novice hurdle at Warwick (19f, heavy) 32 days ago. Tongue strap on for 1st time. Can do better in due course.

Form: 065

Spice Heaven^h²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour

22/1

No show in pair of bumpers for Jamie Snowden but showed fair form when fifth of 9 in novice hurdle at this C&D (heavy) 23 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 00-95

Forecasts

Spirits Bay (4/6), Ten Lengths Tom (5/4), Elusiveness (11/1), Spice Heaven (22/1), Bredon Hill Dart (100/1), Royal Juniper (100/1), Confused Again (100/1), Benville Bridge (150/1)

SPIRITS BAY sets the bar high so gets a confident vote to build on two promising efforts over hurdles and get off the mark in this sphere. Uttoxeter-winner Ten Lengths Tom appeals as the one to chase home Nigel Twiston-Davies' useful bumper scorer ahead of Spice Heaven.