Racecards
14:35 Exeter
Pertemps South West Mares' Only Novices' Hurdle (Class D)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
- Form 16-1136
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey R Biddlecombe
held up in touch, hampered 3rd, headway next, likely outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on flat
- Form 140/4U0
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Mullins
- Jockey Mr R Young
held up in touch, headway approaching 4th, led approaching 2 out, soon headed, kept on same pace
- Form 25-2354
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer A Lidderdale
- Jockey R Johnson
tracked leader until badly hampered, lost place 3rd, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, weakened last
Moon Spinner
23- Form 004020
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Bradley
- Jockey T Scudamore
tracked leader, left in lead 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
- Form 2
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
held up, hit 4th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
- Form 02402
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
held up in touch, headway 5th, led after 2 out, driven out
In depth
Verdict
With Moon Spinner continuing to disappoint, this looks set to boil down to a match between Fragrant Rose and Danse Slave. The latter has shown enough to suggest she has a little race in her, but she may do better when she goes handicapping, so this looks set to go to Fragrant Rose, who has by far and away the best form on offer. A dual-winner back in November, she was given a break just after Christmas and didn't return until last month, where she was down the field in a competitive event. This is much easier and she is taken to make the most of the drop in grade. Colnside Bonnie comes here in good form, but she has plenty to find with the principals, as does Princess Claudia. However, the latter is entitled to improve from her spin at Plumpton and may be good enough to take the minor honours.