Racecards
14:35 Exeter
City Of Exeter Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 175y
- Going: Heavy (Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £21,800 added
- Winner: £12,996
- 2nd: £3,816
- 3rd: £1,908
- 4th: £954
- Form 2PP-462
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer Nicky Martin
- Jockey Matt Griffiths
led, raced keenly and soon clear, reduced lead and headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 511
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey S Bowen
well off the pace in last pair, pushed along and struggling 3 out (normal 4 out), never a factor
- Form 1P1624
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey Angus Cheleda
prominent in chasing group, ridden and weakened after 3 out (normal 4 out), tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
- Form 622123
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey M G Nolan
held up, headway chasing leaders after 3 out (normal 4 out), 2nd going well before 2 out, led last, kept on well run-in
- Form 533367
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey Daniel Sansom
went prominent in chasing group 1st, ridden and weakened after 3 out (normal 4 out)
- Form 112441
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey H Cobden
hit 1st and next, prominent in chasing group, plugged on same pace in 4th before 2 out, modest 3rd soon after last
- Form 9-522F4
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 119
- Trainer Henry Oliver
- Jockey J McGrath
always behind, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
- Form 212-625
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Conor Ring
held up off the pace in last pair, headway before 2 out, in modest 3rd approaching 2 out, hit last, weakened into 4th soon after
- Form 515616
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer Mrs S Gardner
- Jockey Lucy Gardner
chased clear leader, closed to lead before 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace run-in
Verdict
The going may be too testing for Fixed Rate but he’ll probably pop up again when least expected and his rider’s 10lb claim is a massive plus in the conditions. SHOW ON THE ROAD (NAP) was a little disappointing when only third at Wincanton last month but he beat a horse now rated 128 by a wide margin in a novice event here on New Year’s Day so may still be well handicapped. He gets 3lb from handicap debutant Lord Napier, who is on a hat-trick, but Dinos Benefit looks a threat to all having won on his first start for Colin Tizzard at Wincanton. Trans Express is a standing dish here but has never won over the minimum trip.
Formwatch
Phobiaphiliac (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Wore net muzzle, held up tracking leading pair and keen, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out (normal 4 out), awarded 2nd place, last of 3, at Exeter 2m 1f (3) hvy in Jan.
Lord Napier (IRE) 4-9fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, clear after last, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Mar beating Emerald Chieftan (11-2) by 9l, 10 ran.
Fixed Rate 12-1 (11-12) Raced wide, chased leaders, 2nd before 5th until approaching 3 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened between last 2, 4th of 9, 12 1/2l behind Comber Mill (10-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Show On The Road 11-4cfav (11-7) Tracked leader, every chance 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 6, 12 1/2l behind Moabit (12-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
I See You Well (FR) 17-2 (12-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, weakened and mistake last, 7th of 14, 9 1/2l behind Quiz Master (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Dinos Benefit (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Tracked leader, pushed along before 3 out, led approaching last, clear flat, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Mar beating Kupatana (11-5) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Doc Carver (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden and pressing for 2nd after 3 out, one pace and beaten before 2 out, lost 3rd last, 4th of 7, 25 1/4l behind Not Never (10-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Morianour (FR) 2-1fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, 3rd and ridden when hit 2 out, no extra flat, lost 4th close home, 5th of 10, 15 3/4l behind Cabernet D'Alene (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Trans Express (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 10, dist behind Cougar Kid (10-3) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.