BECAUSESHESAIDSO has to be of interest making his handicap debut at a realistic level. He's had just the three runs over timber and won a Carlisle bumper on soft going last year. Perseid, who completed a double at Uttoxeter and Sedgefield in September, has continued to run well off higher marks and Beat The Tide may just have needed his second at Exeter and should be winning soon. Silver Shuffle has his sights lowered a little but Whitsundays steps up a grade after winning a Sedgefield maiden and has top weight to defy in addition.
Whitsundays (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden before last, kept on to lead close home, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn (5) hvy in Dec beating Huehuecoytle (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Presenting Streak (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders after 4th, led next, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Call It On (11-1) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Easter Hunt (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, led 2nd, clear next until after 5th, not fluent 7th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 31 3/4l behind Calin Du Brizais (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Beat The Tide 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd and chance 3 out, left in 2nd place next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 11l behind Darwins Theory (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Lexington Bay (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) In touch, pushed along 9f out, weakened 3f out, 8th of 12, 15 1/4l behind Frosty Berry (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Beer Goggles (IRE) 4-1fav (11-10) Towards rear and outpaced, 7th of 11, dist behind Running Wolf (10-13) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Perseid (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and no impression on front pair when mistake 2 out, one pace after, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 10, 12 3/4l behind Calin Du Brizais (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Silver Shuffle (IRE) 15-2 (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, ridden and weakened last, 5th of 11, 9 1/2l behind Tap Night (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Shaiyzar (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division on outside, blundered badly 2nd, weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 25l behind Pithivier (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Naburn 6-1 (11-10) In rear, fell 5 out, at Ayr 3m hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Marrakech Trader (NZ) 3-1fav (11-5) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders on inside after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden before last, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 8, 10 1/2l behind Andhaar (11-12) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Wayward Sun (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 5th, soon weakened, 6th of 9, dist behind Draytonian (10-12) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Hydrant 22-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened, last of 10, 25 1/4l behind Empress Ali (9-10) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Sep.
Becauseshesaidso (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened run-in, 4th of 10, 9 3/4l behind At The Doubble (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.