15:20 Exeter

Monday 25 March 2024

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

Dr Hennis 1833 Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 49.55s

Jupiter Allen⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 113

11/1

Fair 2m winning hurdler last season but produced a very laboured effort on his handicap debut at Wincanton in January. Back on track when third in novice at Taunton (19f, good to soft) just under 7 weeks ago and he could hit the frame again.

Form: 163-803

Mahland³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 112

5/2

Off the mark in points at the second attempt last April and left previous efforts behind reverted to front running in the face of support when finishing runner-up in novice at Ludlow (23.8f, heavy) last month, relishing the longer trip. In the mix with a repeat sent handicapping.

Form: 21-582

Letthedustsettle²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Cameron Iles⁽⁷⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 112

7/2

Came good over hurdles at the fifth attempt at Catterick (2m) in January and easily defied a penalty at the same C&D 9 days later. Gave something like his running once again when third at Plumpton (25f, soft) 3 weeks ago and he's a leading candidate back down in trip.

Form: 001123

Sun Joy^p⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 110

3/1

French Flat winner who back in cheekpieces, opened his account over hurdles in 15-runner handicap at Huntingdon (20.7f, soft) a couple of months ago, edging ahead home turn and responding well. Nudged up just 3 lb and fancied to be involved again.

Form: 2-22661

Maximum Effort³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: James Davies| T: Noel Williams| OR: 107

12/1

Just a handful of starts under Rules and took a step forward on his qualifying run when third of 7 in novice at Chepstow (19.4f, heavy) last month. Possibilities now handicapping upped a little in trip.

Form: 9-0453

Royal Defender^p1¹⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 105

17/2

Point winner who left his hurdling debut form behind refitted with a tongue strap when third in 8-runner novice at Lingfield (2m) in November. Tailed off in much stronger company at Cheltenham since and now sent handicapping upped in trip. Headgear on.

Form: 15B-930

Annie Express³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 104

17/2

£35,000 buy after easily off mark in Irish points at third attempt. Backed up what she was showing on hurdling debut when second at Exeter in December but failed to get home at Ludlow (23.8f, heavy) since, finishing tired. Worth a market glance on handicap debut.

Form: 5/61-U24

Non-Runners

Totowolfe¹

Weight: 10-11| Age: 7

T: N J Hawke J: Bryan Carver

Robinsville¹⁴

Weight: 10-2| Age: 7

T: J Tizzard J: Freddie Gingell

Forecasts

Mahland (5/2), Sun Joy (3/1), Letthedustsettle (7/2), Royal Defender (17/2), Annie Express (17/2), Jupiter Allen (11/1), Maximum Effort (12/1), Robinsville (12/1), Totowolfe (25/1)

Cases can be made for several, but the vote goes to ROBINSVILLE, who is yet to get his head in front but his recent fourth at Taunton following a breathing operation was more promising and that should have blown away any cobwebs. Things have really clicked with Letthedustsettle in recent months so he's put forward as the main threat, with Sun Joy and Jupiter Allen rounding off the shortlist.