16:50 Exeter

Friday 7 March 2025

All14:1014:4015:1015:4516:2016:5017:22

Exe Trak Ltd Ground Protection Mats Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:51 | Winning time: 4m 41.65s

Sweet Caryline^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 100| D

3/1

Made a winning handicap debut at Fontwell (19f, good) in November but hasn't bettered that effort in two subsequent runs, chasing home a well-treated horse on her first run after wind surgery at Kempton (2m) last time. Still lightly-raced and further improvement not ruled out now back up in trip.

Form: 7-27142

Reel Orange²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 98

20/1

Placed twice in bumpers (for Sam Curling in Ireland first occasion) and took a step forward when third of 14 in 2m novice hurdle at this venue in January. Out of her depth in a better race over C&D last month and this looks a more realistic assignment.

Form: 723536

English Willow^t1³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 95

50/1

Yard knows this family well and she offered some promise when third in mares' novice at Uttoxeter (22.2f, heavy) in December. Misfired at Wincanton next time but it's still early days and she could be seen in a better light now pitched into a handicap wearing first-time tongue tie.

Form: 83P

Northern Symphonie^h³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Ben Godfrey| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 95

16/1

Disappointed following an encouraging debut in bumpers and has shown only minor promise in her qualifying runs. Step up in trip and switch to handicap company could bring about improvement.

Form: 279-885

Lady Showtime¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 90

50/1

Lightly-raced maiden who wasn't discredited when fourth of 10 in novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (15.8f, soft) July and likely needed the run (after 7-months off) when seventh of 8 in handicap hurdle at Taunton (19f, soft, 18/1) 17 days ago. May yet be capable of better.

Form: 7-66347

Jacksbar⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 90

8/1

Much improved as she got off the mark at sixth time of asking (despite being easy to back), travelling smoothly in first-time hood when winning 11-runner handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (19.9f, soft, 20/1) 87 days ago. Leading claims if in the same kind of form following a short break.

Form: 69P-4P1

Elusiveness^t,p⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 87

13/8

Runner-up on her handicap debut at this track on final start of last season. Has matched that form this season with creditable fifth of 10 at Ffos Las (21.9f) in November but slightly below-form when finishing midfield at Taunton the following month. Mark is falling but may still have a bit to find.

Form: 532-558

Nobody's Perfect⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: James Bowen| T: Billy Aprahamian| OR: 83

15/2

Showed most promise on final qualifying run when fourth of 6 at Huntingdon (15.8f) having been considerately handled once her chance had gone but failed to build on that when disappointing on handicap debut in January. Chance if she can bounce back.

Form: 746740

Prairie Queen^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 74

25/1

Poor form at best in bumpers and over hurdles, looking a hard ride (hung badly right) when fifth of 10 in 19.5f Bangor handicap 28 days ago. A return to a right-handed track may help but it's still hard to be overly positive about her chances.

Form: 0P7-9P5

My Granny Lily^b1⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: N J Hawke| OR: 73

6/1

Got off the mark in 2m handicap hurdle at Ffos Las in February and ended the season in good form. Hasn't been anywhere near that level this season, pulling up on her last two starts, latest when returned to hurdles in January. Connections try blinkers, which need to spark a revival.

Form: 354-6PP

Non-Runners

Arctic Stream³⁸

Weight: 11-6| Age: 8

T: R Bandey J: Harry Bannister

What U Wanna Do Is³⁶

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: B Lund J: Non Runner

Countess Vicky³⁰

Weight: 10-2| Age: 8

T: P C Dando J: Benjamin Poste

Forecasts

Elusiveness (13/8), Sweet Caryline (3/1), My Granny Lily (6/1), Nobody's Perfect (15/2), Jacksbar (8/1), Northern Symphonie (16/1), Arctic Stream (16/1), Reel Orange (20/1), Prairie Queen (25/1), English Willow (50/1), Lady Showtime (50/1), Countess Vicky (100/1)

Having showed much improved form when getting off the mark at the sixth time of asking, JACKSBAR may be able to follow up that victory if in the same sort of form 3 months on. The biggest threat may come from Sweet Caryline who is also lightly-raced and has proved she can mix it at this level. Nobody's Perfect showed some promise on her final qualifying run and despite not running up to form last time, she has a chance if she can bounce back.