18:00 Exeter

Friday 19 April 2024

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

Bell Inn Bovey Tracey Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 18:00 | Winning time: 4m 44.15s

Can't Say⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 99

14/1

Pulled up in a point and little impact over hurdles so far, albeit hinting at ability when fifth here on hurdles bow. Opening handicap mark likely requires improvement.

Form: 97P/553

Miss Hunky Dory^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 98

22/1

Third in a bumper here on New Year's Day and gave reason for encouragement when a staying-on second in a Wincanton novice (15.2f) last month. Failed to repeat that at Chepstow a fortnight later but step up in trip bodes well on handicap debut.

Form: 3924

Groom De Cotte^t¹²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: S Curran| OR: 97WS

16/1

Only muted efforts over hurdles recently and suffered an early fall sent chasing here in December. Well treated on the pick of last season's efforts but he's hard to fancy back over the smaller obstacles.

Form: 326-79F

Thurley⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 97

10/1

Promising fourth at Wincanton on his hurdles bow in the autumn and got back on track when filling the same position there in January. Opening mark looks workable on return from 98-day break.

Form: 0-40U4

Kingoftheswingerz⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Benjamin Poste| T: H Dickin| OR: 96

28/1

Modest in bumpers and showed aptitude for hurdling when third of 9 in a novice event at Wincanton. Backwards steps since, though, and others make greater appeal.

Form: 7635P

Bullets Hill^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Ella Pickard| OR: 95

5/2

Fairly useful dual winner in bumpers faced a couple of stiff tasks early into his hurdles career and got back on track returned to more realistic company when third of 8 in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (15.8f, heavy) 13 days ago. Longer trip here will suit and he's highly respected.

Form: 19-46P3

Star Of Affinity¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁵⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 90

10/3

Some promise when fifth in Taunton bumper and 2m Kempton novice hurdle first 2 starts. Again looked a stayer when fourth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Plumpton (17.8f, good to soft) 18 days ago and he's likely to be of greater interest a bit further down the line.

Form: 5-50F4

Elusiveness^t⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 88

9/2

Flat-bred mare again hinted at ability when placed in heavy-ground novice event here (16.7f) in February. Quicker conditions now could be a plus given her pedigree and she's the type to do better now handicapping.

Form: 0653

Buck Of Maine²²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 86

33/1

From a good French family and reached the frame in both bumpers last year. Little impact in a trip of novice hurdles since but, assuming he's tuned-up following a 7-month break, improvement may well be forthcoming now that he's pitched into a handicap.

Form: 34P45

Harrys Hope²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 85

5/1

Irish point winner who showed more than previously under Rules when fourth of 9 in maiden hurdle here (17f) in January. Back on track when third of 12 in handicap hurdle at Hereford (19.7f, soft) 23 days ago and hard to discount.

Form: 1-604P3

Non-Runners

Totowolfe²⁶

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: N J Hawke J: David Noonan

Forecasts

Bullets Hill (5/2), Star Of Affinity (10/3), Elusiveness (9/2), Harrys Hope (5/1), Thurley (10/1), Can't Say (14/1), Groom De Cotte (16/1), Totowolfe (20/1), Miss Hunky Dory (22/1), Kingoftheswingerz (28/1), Buck Of Maine (33/1)

BULLETS HILL ran well given his first realistic task since his hurdles debut at Uttoxeter last time and can build on that effort to add to his pair of bumper wins. Elusiveness showed more on her qualifying run here last time despite not really having a pedigree for such testing conditions, so looks interesting sent handicapping on quicker ground, whilst Miss Hunky Dory also strikes as one who should do better.