14:20 Exeter

Monday 25 March 2024

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50

Hall Down Hill Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 5m 28.6s

Moorland Rambler³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 99| C

9/2

Appreciated the test of stamina when winning a 17f handicap hurdle here last winter. Not without promise on 2 of his 3 chase starts this campaign but he does needs to shrug off a slightly lesser display back from a break at Wincanton (20f) last month. Possibilities down in class.

Form: 177-445

Samtara^t²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 98

10/1

Seems to have lost his way this season, disappointing again back over fences at Hereford last month having attracted support. Hood left off.

Form: 12-P754

Birdman Bob^p1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: A Irvine| OR: 96| BF

11/1

Won 2m novice handicap hurdle at Plumpton in November and good efforts when completing there since under this rider, including over further. No reason why he won't prove just as effective over fences and one to note in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 7U22U2

Grey D'alco¹¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: James Davies| T: R Rowe| OR: 96

22/1

Winning pointer who made the frame on a couple of occasions over hurdles last season. However, dropped away as if one with problems both starts over fences in November and off since.

Form: 49P7-PP

Rajjamataz⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 95

11/2

Maiden who shaped better than the distance beaten suggests sent chasing at Leicester (20f, heavy) 9 weeks ago, paying late on for making his effort earlier than ideal. Given a break since and player off 2 lb lower.

Form: 42-P575

Time To Bite^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour| OR: 94| CD

7/2

Off the mark from a subsequent winner in C&D handicap in December and has continued in form, coming clear unchallenged in refitted blinkers at Plumpton 4 weeks ago. Hit with a 10 lb rise in tougher race now.

Form: 351351

Wotastunner⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Reed| T: M Blake| OR: 87

40/1

Has completed just once over hurdles, fourth of 16 in a first-time visor in maiden here (18.5f, heavy) on New Year's Day. Plenty more needed quickly sent chasing.

Form: 0U/P-P4P

Joe Cotton¹⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 86

10/3

Lightly-raced maiden who hasn't improved in handicap hurdles over further the last twice. Dual point winner bred to do better over fences though and yard in form. Could take a hand.

Form: 1-54958

Meranti⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Ben Jones| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 83

22/1

Little impact over hurdles for current yard but has fallen plenty in the weights ahead of this first go chasing.

Form: 4279PP

Watchoutitscookie²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Miss Ella Herbison⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 78

10/1

Won Wincanton handicap hurdle over this trip a year ago but been tricky to catch right and has a bit on his plate now chasing.

Form: U3-9924

Forecasts

Joe Cotton (10/3), Time To Bite (7/2), Moorland Rambler (9/2), Rajjamataz (11/2), Watchoutitscookie (10/1), Samtara (10/1), Birdman Bob (11/1), Meranti (22/1), Grey D'alco (22/1), Wotastunner (40/1)

Dual point winner JOE COTTON could leave his previous form under Rules behind now switched to chasing and might be worth chancing. Rajjamataz shaped with some promise first time up in this sphere at Leicester and is one to note. Birdman Bob is also on the shortlist, although Time To Bite might be vulnerable after a 10 lb hit for Plumpton.