15:02 Exeter

Sunday 23 March 2025

All14:2815:0215:3716:1316:4817:23

Harcombe Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 5m 48.90s

Coconut Twist^b¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Robbie David⁽⁷⁾| T: Daisy Hitchins| OR: 95| BF| C

9/4

Landed a gamble back hurdling in 15-runner handicap at this course (21.6f) in January and has run creditably in defeat twice since, latest when third of 12 in handicap hurdle over C&D (good to soft) 16 days ago. Ought to go well again.

Form: 363133

Special John⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁵⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 91| BF

6/5

Off mark in points at fourth attempt and posted best effort in this sphere when second of 9 in handicap hurdle at Southwell (24.3f, good to soft) 6 days ago. Races off same mark here and is one for shortlist.

Form: F31-442

Low Expectations^h¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 89

16/1

Yet to make an impact in 4 attempts over hurdles, including on handicap debut at Fontwell 17 days ago. Tries a longer trip now but remains hard to recommend.

Form: 36897

The Questioner^b1¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 88

16/1

Hurdle/chaser winner who showed he retains ability, on his second run back after an absence, when third in Wetherby handicap hurdle in January. Not been in same form since, however, and is now tried in blinkers for first time.

Form: 3/2-030P

Miss Popalong^h¹⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 78

12/1

Didn't show much in a bumper and novice hurdles last season, but in first-time hood she took a step forward on handicap debut when third at Fontwell (19.1f) in May. Disappointed at same course when last seen in October but could be suited by this longer trip.

Form: 08PF-34

Wearapinkribbon^v²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: David Bass| T: M Comley| OR: 77

9/2

Ended losing run of more than 4 years when striking at Huntingdon (25f, good to soft) on yard debut 3 weeks ago. 4 lb higher now but must enter calculations.

Form: 755691

Non-Runners

Lightonthewing¹⁷

Weight: 11-11| Age: 10

T: Mrs S Gardner J: Lucy Gardner

Tellairsue⁴⁸

Weight: 10-3| Age: 7

T: D G Bridgwater J: Caoilin Quinn

Forecasts

Special John (6/5), Coconut Twist (9/4), Wearapinkribbon (9/2), Lightonthewing (7/1), Miss Popalong (12/1), Low Expectations (16/1), The Questioner (16/1), Tellairsue (20/1)

SPECIAL JOHN was well supported when a good second at Southwell last week and remains low mileage. He makes plenty of appeal. Coconut Twist and Lightonthewing are feared most.