Racecards
18:50 Exeter
Duralock Signature Racerail Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 5)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f 111y
- Going: Good to Firm (Good in Places)
- Surface: Turf
- £5,780 added
- Winner: £2,342
- 2nd: £1,079
- 3rd: £539
- 4th: £350
- Form 72U121
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer C J Down
- Jockey Joe Anderson
mistake and unseated rider 1st
- Form U58FP8
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer Katy Price
- Jockey Benjamin Poste
prominent on inside, led 6th, headed 2 out, led again and not fluent last, just held on
Merry Berry
36- Form 54-3805
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey Max Kendrick
not fluent and hampered 1st, mid-division, closed from 5th, went 2nd 3 out, led next, not fluent and headed last, edged left flat, stayed on, just held
- Form 0-43899
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer D J Coakley
- Jockey Miss H C Tucker
soon behind, passed some rivals from 3 out, no chance
- Form 054096
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 86
- Trainer Alexandra Dunn
- Jockey Nick Scholfield
towards rear, never in contention, 6th 3 out, went 5th latter stages, never involved
Harry Haze
23- Form 5-75653
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer P C Dando
- Jockey Conor Ring
prominent, close up before 3 out, 3rd and held 2 out, one pace
Altumanina
30- Form U3-P8P4
- Age 6
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 77
held up in mid-division, raced keenly, headway after 7th, 4th before 3 out, soon no impression
- Form 6P-89
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer C Honour
- Jockey David Noonan
led, bumped 1st, headed 6th, lost place before 3 out
- Form 0-D0PB8
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer L Hurley
- Jockey David Prichard
prominent, not fluent and lost place 6th, weakened before 3 out
Mighty Mustang
787- Form 4P7P80/
- Age 11
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer Andrew Martin
- Jockey Harrison Beswick
always towards rear
- Form 3P-80
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 62
- Trainer N A Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Jordan Nailor
prominent when mistake and bumped 1st, chased leaders, mistake 6th, weakened before 3 out
- Form 83-3650
- Age 10
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer Mrs H R J Nelmes
- Jockey Paul O'Brien
NonRunner
In depth
Verdict
Few of these are delivering a consistent, reliable season but ESPRESSINO is the obvious exception and can land a third success from his last four outings on this first start since early December - and after wind surgery too. He was in really good nick when last seen and has every chance of defying a 9lb rise if he's ready to roll after his break. Merry Berry is expected to improve for this move into handicap company for the O'Brien team and is one to note in the market, whilst Altumanina showed first signs of promise last time at Huntingdon. However, Menapian is suggested as the main danger if forgiven his latest run, with Harry Haze also respected.
Formwatch
Espressino 7-2 (11-2) Made virtually all, not fluent 2 out and ridden, drifted left under pressure last, stayed on, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec beating Flutiste (10-5) by nk, 16 ran.
Eclair Des Sablons (FR) 25-1 (10-10) Close up, disputed lead 2nd, not fluent 5th and headed, close up 6th, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened soon after, 8th of 13, 32l behind Winged Isle (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Merry Berry 33-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, ridden before 2 out, headway under pressure before last, stayed on strongly flat but never reached challenging position, 5th of 11, 11 3/4l behind Triple Nickle (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) sft in Mar.
Sheila's Spirit 150-1 (11-2) In rear, mistake 6th, awkward 7th, steady headway before 3 out, lost touch when ridden before 2 out, no extra, 9th of 14, 28 1/4l behind Java Point (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Mar.
City Flame 25-1 (10-6) Rear of mid-division, headway after 3 out, chasing leaders before 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 15, 12 1/4l behind Catchin Time (10-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Harry Haze 11-2 (10-5) Handy on inside, not fluent 7th, ridden after normal 3 out, kept on from final bend, 3rd of 9, 8 1/2l behind Stylish Dancer (10-13) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Mar.
Altumanina 80-1 (10-0) Close-up, hit 3 out and nudged, ridden behind leaders before 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 14 1/2l behind Candy Lou (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Ragtag Rascal (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Held up in touch, not fluent 2nd, relegated to midfield 4th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 9th of 16, 35 1/4l behind Espressino (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Lucky Circle 50-1 (10-0) Midfield on outside, awkward 4th, losing ground when ridden after 6th, no impression from 3 out, 8th of 11, 25 1/2l behind Theocrat (11-7) at Taunton 2m hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Mighty Mustang 28-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, weakened soon after 2 out (normal 3 out), 12th of 17, 30 1/4l behind First Of Never (10-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Felicissimus (IRE) 150-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, lost place 6th, towards rear when not fluent 7th, ridden and detached after 3 out, no extra, 12th of 14, dist behind Java Point (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Mar.
Menapian (IRE) 13-2 (10-4) Towards rear, slow 1st, ridden before 3 out, well adrift 2 out, no extra, 10th of 17, 35 1/2l behind Windance (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Mar.