17:30 Exeter

Friday 19 April 2024

All16:2516:5517:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

Bell Inn Bovey Tracey Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 4m 42.11s

Soir De Gala^t⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 12-2| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 94

13/8

Shaped well on handicap debut and built on that effort when opening his account at Taunton (16.5f, soft) 8 days ago, travelling strongly and winning with plenty in hand. Can score again under a penalty now that he's up and running.

Form: 050921

Zoeman²³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 99

25/1

Made an encouraging start when runner-up in junior hurdle at Ffos Las and, after a 17-month absence, again showed promise when fifth of 15 in maiden at Ludlow (15.8f, heavy) in February. Below that level last time, but he remains with potential as he goes handicapping.

Form: 2-56

The Cypriot²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Jordan Nailor| T: Evan Williams| OR: 98

50/1

Modest form in bumpers but did show more than on hurdles debut when fourth of 9 in maiden at this course (16.7f, heavy) in March. Failed to repeat that effort at Fontwell 22 days ago, so he needs to get back on the up switched to a handicap.

Form: 35944

Electric Eddy²⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 97

8/1

Some promise on his first 2 starts in maiden hurdles, fifth of 14 at Roscommon (15.5f, good to soft) in July. However, well held the following month and he's been off since ahead of first run for yard after leaving Mrs Prunella Dobbs. Makes handicap debut.

Form: 759

Imperial Jade^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 96

10/1

Progressed with each start over hurdles last term, ending the campaign with victory in a junior event at Chepstow (16.1f, good to soft). Hasn't gone on this season, though did face tough asks in her last 2 races so the return to handicapping could help.

Form: 21-5760

Dixie Flyer^t⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: David Bass| T: S Curran| OR: 96

18/1

Fair form at best when trained by Henry de Bromhead, but he remains a maiden over hurdles and has offered little in 4 starts for his current yard. Continues to fall in the weights but he has enough to prove at prevent.

Form: 580007

Paddy In The Caddy²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 94

10/3

Didn't make much impact in maiden/novice hurdles but left that form well behind when making a successful handicap debut at Huntingdon (20.7f, good to soft) last month, impressing with how he travelled through the race. Not taken lightly.

Form: 20671

Hillsin⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: A E Jones| OR: 90WS

12/1

Should have made a winning start for Chris Honour when third at Worcester (20f, good) in July, finishing with running left having been tenderly handled run-in. Subsequently joined another new yard but finished well held at Southwell in January. Has had a wind op since.

Form: 703-P36

Pescatorius⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Benjamin Poste| T: H Dickin| OR: 88

40/1

Finished down the field in bumpers and hasn't fared much better over hurdles, pulled up on his handicap debut at Hereford (19.7f, soft) last month. Looks to be up against it.

Form: 0-7475P

My Lady Phoenix^h1⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: J Scott| OR: 88

28/1

Produced her best effort when runner-up in a Chepstow novice (16.1f, soft) in November but pulled up in handicaps both outings since. Application of a hood needs to help spark a revival.

Form: 083-2PP

Captain Wallace⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁵⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 85| BF

6/1

Went close on the second of his 2 starts in Irish points but little form in 4 starts over hurdles so far, including when sent off as joint-favourite on handicap debut at Hereford last time. Still remains early days, though major step forward required.

Form: 42-6989

Forecasts

Soir De Gala (13/8), Paddy In The Caddy (10/3), Captain Wallace (6/1), Electric Eddy (8/1), Imperial Jade (10/1), Hillsin (12/1), Dixie Flyer (18/1), Zoeman (25/1), My Lady Phoenix (28/1), Pescatorius (40/1), The Cypriot (50/1)

SOIR DE GALA has shown much improved form switched to handicaps on his last 2 starts, getting off the mark in good style at Taunton last week, and a penalty might not prevent him from following up with more still to offer. Paddy In The Caddy also proved a different proposition when making a winning handicap debut and is feared most, ahead of Zoeman.