chased leader, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led on bit 2 out, shaken up approaching last, comfortably
led, jumped left 4th and 5th, not fluent 7th (water), ridden approaching 4 out, headed 2 out, no chance with winner
held up, took closer order 6th, led briefly when blundered badly 13th, not recover and pulled up before next
held up, lost touch from 13th
held up, lost touch from 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
Another chance is given to Headliner, who gets the nomination over the inexperienced Kenzo III and Glen Warrior, who has a 9lb higher mark to overcome. Whitford Don also comes into the reckoning on the pick of his form. The last named can be hard to predict though and has already cost his supporters dearly on occasions this terms. However, his record when completing the course does read well and he cannot confidently be ruled out. Kenzo III has endured a few training problems over and was quickly dismounted after he made a winning debut at Ludlow last month. The bounce factor is the biggest fear with him and it may be prudent to wait and see what the on course betting market says about his chance before getting too heavily involved. Therefore, we go with Headliner as the one to beat today. Martin Pipe's charge has gone well on both his previous visits to Exeter and, with the likelihood of the race being run to suit his style, the six-year-old has plenty in his favour to expand upon his seasonal haul with another win today.
Glen Warrior 9-2jt-fav Held up in rear, headway approaching 11th, challenged going well 5 out, jumped left and led 4 out, clear 2 out, not fluent last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (B) gs beating Beau Supreme by 6l, 11 ran.
Whitford Don (IRE) 16-1 Keen, mid-division, mistake 10th, headway 20th, disputing close 4th when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Another Rum at Cheltenham 4m 1f nov amt chs (B) gd, 20 ran.
Bubble Boy (IRE) 22-1 Led until 13th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Distant Thunder at Newbury 3m nov chs (C) gs in Feb, 6 ran.
Tana River (IRE) 16-1 Behind, mistake 12th, no chance when hampered 4 out, 12th of 19, well behind King Harald at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (A) gd.
Peejay Hobbs 66-1 Always towards rear, well behind when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Noble Baron at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Vanormix (FR) 33-1 Held up in last pair, struggling 4 out and soon tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Famous Grouse at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Dec.
Headliner (IRE) 3-1fav Held up rear, hampered 2nd, headway 17th, close 3rd when mistake 3 out, hit 2 out, switched right approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Toulouse-Lautrec at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs.
Kenzo Iii (FR) 20-1 In touch, went 2nd 5th, left in lead 13th, ridden when left clear after 4 out, stayed on, won at Ludlow 3m beg chs (E) gs in Feb beating Dickens by 17l, 10 ran.
