City Of Exeter Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 4m 31.6s

Classic Maestro³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Luke Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 117| BF| D

4/7

Progressive over hurdles, winning 2m handicaps at Uttoxeter/Newcastle at the start of the year. Another good run switched to fences at Lingfield last month and the one to beat back hurdling.

Form: 222112

Now Or Never^t³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 117| D

22/1

Fair form over hurdles and fences in France but pulled up in 2 handicap hurdles for current yard. Needs the refitting of the tongue strap he wore in France to help spark a revival.

Form: 1234-PP

Pirates' Tale¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Bryony Frost| T: J D Frost| OR: 113| CD

5/2

Runner-up on the first of 2 starts in bumpers. Left his 18.5f course hurdle debut fourth behind when winning a C&D maiden 17 days ago. His opening handicap mark isn't obviously generous but an unexposed profile suggests he can do better.

Form: 2841

Another Folly¹⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 107

17/2

Runner-up both starts in points. Fair form on the second of 3 hurdle starts before Christmas. Switches to handicaps after a break. One to note in the betting.

Form: 22-66P

Non-Runners

Homme D'Un Soir⁴²

Weight: 11-6| Age: 8

T: Billy Aprahamian J: James Bowen

Forecasts

Classic Maestro (4/7), Pirates' Tale (5/2), Homme D'Un Soir (6/1), Another Folly (17/2), Now Or Never (22/1)

This looks a good opportunity for CLASSIC MAESTRO to land a third handicap hurdle win of the year. Recent C&D maiden winner Pirates' Tale can give him most to think about.