Racecards
16:10 Exeter
Dean & Dyball Novices' Hurdle (Class E)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
Chakra
17- Form 461060
- Age 10
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer C Gray
- Jockey A Honeyball
held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey S Thomas
in touch, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
- Form P423
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
mid-division, headway 3rd, chased leaders and ridden after 5th, soon weakened
- Form P
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer A Jones
- Jockey James Davies
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Makulu (IRE)
49- Form 43
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance when not much room last, weakened flat
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
held up in touch, good jump to lead 5th, ridden and headed last, left in lead close home, lucky
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
mid-division until weakened approaching 3 out
Palace (FR)
441- Form 006P/P-
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R Buckler
- Jockey R Thornton
level until 3rd, prominent until weakened approaching 3 out
- Form 14
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer G Ham
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
- Form 000-P
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer S Burrough
- Jockey Mr W P Kavanagh
prominent, led 3rd until 5th, soon weakened, blundered last
- Form 000-52
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer Mrs S Gardner
- Jockey S Durack
held up behind, jumped left 2nd, headway approaching 3 out, blundered 2 out, led last, veered violently left, headed close home
In depth
Verdict
Winning form is this on the ground, but Sninfia has at least proved that she knows what it takes to get her head in front and she is selected in preference to Makulu and Gin 'N' Fonic, who are shaping up well enough to shortlisted as dangers in this company. So too is Darjeeling, who ventures away from Newton Abbot for the first time since being sent over hurdles and should be capable of at least forcing her way into the frame if others fall below expectations. Monticelli has already won on the Flat in Germany for Phillip Hobbs and obviously possesses the correct attributes to be considered as a horse that has races within him. However, he has it all to prove today and does not appeal as one to be taking too short a price about on the limited evidence available. Therefore, we prefer the proven hurdles form of Sninfia, as has really come into her own now that she has transferred to the winter game. The 7lb penalty she picks up for winning at Plumpton looks fair in the context of this race and she has plenty in her favour as she bids to follow up today. Makulu has shown signs of ability over timber and, granted a clear passage, can give Sninfia the most to do.