Racecards
15:20 Exeter
Tote Devon National Chase (Showcase Handicap) (Class D)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 3m 6f 110y
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Form 4-216F1
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
prominent, mistake 1st, led after 2nd until 12th, led 15th headed next, ridden after 17th, weakened approaching 3 out
- Form 51-5P02
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey J Tizzard
* never fluent, mid-division till 4, soon behind, pulled up before 12th (lame)
- Form 133-220
- Age 12
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer H D Daly
- Jockey A Thornton
led till after 2nd, chased leader, led 12th, headed 15th, ridden after 17th, weakened approaching 4 out
- Form 126-351
- Age 9
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey D Flavin
mid division, headway 10th, mistake 15th, driven to lead approaching 4 out, hard ridden and no extra when headed flat
- Form U4503-P
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
soon well behind, never on terms
- Form 1-P5066
- Age 11
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer R Buckler
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
chased leader until 6th, soon ridden, behind from 11th, held off and pulled up before 4 out
- Form 13U62-2
- Age 12
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer J Old
- Jockey L P Aspell
mid division, hampered 7th, hit 9th, ridden after 17th, soon weakened
- Form 114-526
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer V R A Dartnall
- Jockey J Culloty
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
Lucys Lad
15- Form 11UU4P
- Age 9
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey B J Crowley
mid division, mistake 7th, weakened approaching 14th, pulled up before 15th
Bally Lira
28- Form 56-5051
- Age 11
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer S Burrough
- Jockey L Cummins
chased leaders, ridden after 10th, lost place 13th, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on
- Form U0P5-34
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey C Llewellyn
mid division till 6th, soon well behind and ridden, good headway after 17th, stayed on well from 3 out, led flat, ridden out
- Form P-253P4
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey T Scudamore
in touch, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, kept on same pace
- Form 33P-PPU
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey Mr J E Moore
chased leaders, led after 16th, blundered badly next, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened quickly next (bbv)
- Form P-P342F
- Age 11
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer P Winkworth
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
always behind, tailed off, and pulled up before 17th
In depth
Verdict
Garruth changed hands for a small fortune after winning at Aintree a couple of years ago, but has cut little ice for his new connections over fences. He showed signs of form when a staying-on second at Taunton last time, and compared to his hurdles mark could be very well handicapped. However, the fact remains that he looks uneasy over the larger obstacles and he cannot be backed with any confidence. Lancastrian Jet, on the other hand, is a tough and consistent stayer who will relish these conditions. He struggled behind Iris Bleu and company at Sandown last time, but this is an easier race and he is definitely one for the short list. Three of these were winners last time out, including Kim Bailey's Cedar Green, who came back from a bit of a break to win well at Fontwell last time. He has been raised 7lbs for that, and this is probably a more competitive race, but he is still respected. Possible Pardon made most of the running to score at Chepstow last time, but may struggle to do so again under top weight, and our slight preference in a very competitive stayers' event goes to old Bally Lira. Simon Burrough, who has ridden the mare on many occasions in the past, now trains the 11-year-old, and a change in tactics proved to be something of a revelation for her at Chepstow on her latest start. From 13lbs out of the handicap, she made virtually every yard of the running to beat Nativetrial by 26 lengths, and she is only effectively one pound higher in the weights today. We believe that the new tactics made the difference, and if they are employed again here then Bally Lira is more than capable of following up.