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16:40 Exeter

Dean & Dyball Handicap Hurdle (Class D)

  • 6 Runners
  • Distance: 2m 3f
  • Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 4m 31.50s
  • 6 Ran
Go to Full Result
1
Silk -

Desert Air (JPN)

15/8

    2
    Silk -

    Mumbling (IRE)

    5/1

      1
      Silk - GREY and PINK check, PINK sleeves and cap

      Wizard of Edge

      24
      10/3
      • Form 04-1151
      • Age 4
      • Weight 11-12

      held up rear, headway 7th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out

      2
      Silk - Pink, White striped sleeves, White cap

      Desert Air (JPN)

      11 v
      15/8
      • Form 13/00-20
      • Age 5
      • Weight 11-9

      led, headed 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, rallied well flat, led close home

      3
      Silk - Royal Blue, Orange sash, Orange cap

      Code Sign (USA)

      8
      4/1
      • Form 1232F2
      • Age 5
      • Weight 11-2

      chased leaders, bumped 3rd, behind 5th, tailed off

      4
      Silk - Red, Black disc, hooped sleeves

      Mumbling (IRE)

      312
      5/1
      • Form 164-
      • Age 6
      • Weight 10-10

      tracked winner, led 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, no extra when headed close home

      5
      Silk - White, Red cross belts, Red and White check sleeves

      King Georges (FR)

      200
      10/1
      • Form 16/010F-
      • Age 6
      • Weight 10-6

      held up rear, headway 3rd, not fluent 4th and 5th, soon ridden, kept on same pace

      6
      Silk - MAROON, GREY chevron

      Phar Jeffen (IRE)

      263
      14/1
      • Form 152FPF-
      • Age 9
      • Weight 10-5

      tracked leaders, went right 3rd, ridden after 7th, weakening when mistake 3 out

      In depth

      Verdict

      There has been a long-held suspicion that Desert Air is much better than he has consented to show on the track to date and he has the ideal chance to prove it today. Wizard of Edge and Code Sign look to be the two largest obstacles in his way this afternoon. The latter showed no ill-effects from a heavy fall earlier in the season when he went close here at the end of last month. The slight step up in trip should not be a problem for him and he can go close again today. Wizard Of Edge, as a previous course and distance winner, obviously also has to be respected. He has won a third of his previous starts over hurdles and will no doubt exploit any weaknesses in his opposition this afternoon. However, it is worth bearing in mind that Martin Pipe once considered Desert air to be just short of top-class and had him entered in several high-profile races. Things obviously did not go his way last season and his sights have now been lowered to more realistic levels. So the fact that he drops down into this grade for only the third time can prove to be a lucky omen for Desert Air, who can finally start to pay his way again after this.