13:35 Exeter

Wednesday 1 January 2025

All12:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:55

Peter Holland Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 13:37 | Winning time: 5m 49.17s

Keable²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 105

5/4

Very lightly raced for his age and stepped up on his reappearance run when second of 10 in handicap at Wincanton (24.7f, heavy) just under 4 weeks ago. Nudged up 3 lb for that near miss but every chance he can go one better.

Form: 26/4P-52

Eileen's Milan^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 104

11/1

Had 3 outings in maiden/novice hurdles at Newton Abbot over the summer, showing a fair level of ability when runner-up on the second occasion. Had a wind op but failed to improve from a stiff opening mark after 5 months off at Fontwell (21.8f, soft) just over 3 weeks ago. Others more appealing.

Form: 64286

Drop Flight^p²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Ben Sutton⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 102| C| D

25/1

Landed 5-runner hunter at Exeter in March prior to falling early in the Foxhunters' Chase at Aintree the following month. Easily best effort for this yard when a keeping-on third over 20f at Carlisle in October but disappointing both subsequent starts. Handicappers has dropped him 3 lb.

Form: F-7837P

Tintagel Queen²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 101

40/1

Went close in a Chepstow bumper and made a promising start over hurdles when third at Lingfield in November 2023. Not disgraced after almost a year off at Stratford on return but ran poorly on the softest ground she's tackled at Leicester (20.5f, heavy) last month. Makes handicap bow.

Form: 52/3-8P

Can't Say²³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 101

12/1

Pulled up in a point and having offered little on his first 4 hurdles starts here, looked suited by the longer trip to open his account in 10-runner handicap at Ffos Las (23.9f, good to soft) when last seen 7 months ago. Bit worrying he's not been seen since but remains very lightly raced.

Form: P/5537-1

Gentleman Jacques^t1,v1⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Rex Dingle| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 98

14/1

Made the frame in bumpers and several hurdles for Charlie Longsdon but has become disappointing and has made an underwhelming start for this yard, tailed off on his second chase start at Taunton last month. Visor/tongue tie applied for his return to hurdles.

Form: 467-P44

Chauffeur Driven^p²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 94

9/1

Point winner. Also third in maiden/novice hurdles around 2m last winter but disappointed first 2 starts handicaps. More like it fitted in blinkers/tongue tie when fifth of 10 at Taunton in November but that was seemingly something of a false dawn (tailed off back there next time).

Form: 03P-950

Sheeka Supreme¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Conor Ring| T: G Harris| OR: 86

25/1

Successful in Irish points in October 2022 but little show in 3 races over hurdles. Could well show more now handicapping.

Form: 221/086

Mutley Crew¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford| OR: 85

9/2

Took a big step forward on her handicap bow when scoring at Fontwell (19f) in October, asserting late on. Ran as well in defeat after a break when third of 11 in handicap at Plumpton (20.5f, good to soft) just over 2 weeks ago and she should remain competitive.

Form: 93813

Inspector Lynley^p,h⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Mr Eddie Edge⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 81| D

9/1

Opened his account in novice handicap at Stratford in July and having been pulled up at Perth next time, wasted no time getting back to form tried hooded when third at Kempton (24.6f, good to soft) in November. Can build on that dropped back in trip.

Form: P-231P3

Caitlin's Court^p,t⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁷⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 80

18/1

Hurdles winner at Newton Abbot on 2023/24 return but ended the campaign out of form. Probably produced her best effort in any sphere after 13 weeks off when runner-up in handicap chase at Fakenham (21.2f, good to soft) just over 6 weeks ago and now reverts to hurdles. Cheekpieces reapplied.

Form: P-P65P2

Forecasts

Keable (5/4), Mutley Crew (9/2), Chauffeur Driven (9/1), Inspector Lynley (9/1), Eileen's Milan (11/1), Can't Say (12/1), Gentleman Jacques (14/1), Caitlin's Court (18/1), Sheeka Supreme (25/1), Drop Flight (25/1), Tintagel Queen (40/1)

KEABLE has just a handful of starts to his name and, having stepped up on his reappearance when runner-up at Wincanton last month, he gets the nod to go one better and open his account. The main threat may emerge from Mutley Crew, who is also very lightly raced for her age and has taken her form up a notch since sent handicapping. Inspector Lynley and Caitlin's Court can do battle for third.