Racecards
14:10 Exeter
British Stallion Studs EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Div 2) (GBB Race) (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f 111y
- Going: Soft (Heavy in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £6,800 added
- Winner: £4,419
- 2nd: £1,297
- 3rd: £649
- 4th: £324
- Form 19-142
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway 7th, held 3 out, weakened before 2 out
- Form 115
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey H Cobden
prominent, wandered into 1st, ridden before 7th, soon lost place, well behind when pulled up before 3 out
- Form 34-431
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey Kevin Jones
chased leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, driven and no impression 2 out
Astigar (FR)
26- Form 22
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
held up towards rear on outside, headway from 4th, ridden and struggling after 7th, well beaten when pulled up before 3 out
- Form 1-122
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey P J Brennan
kept wide, jumped left at times and not always fluent, made all, drawing clear 2 out, eased towards finish
- Form 1-2
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey T J O'Brien
held up in mid-division, headway going well 7th, shaken up before 3 out, soon beaten, weakened before 2 out
- Form 5-7
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
held up, closed 3rd, lost place 5th, not fluent 6th, well beaten next, soon pulled up
- Form 22
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer M Sheppard
- Jockey Stan Sheppard
mid-division, closed on outside from 4th, ridden after 7th, weakened 3 out
- Age 5
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer K Woollacott
- Jockey M G Nolan
not that fluent, in rear, reminder before 4th, behind 5th, pulled up after
In depth
Verdict
A similar contest in nature to the first division. Seelotmorebusiness didn’t appear to improve much on his victory at Chepstow when only fifth at Taunton while Sheldon has more to do than when successful at Fakenham, though appears to have stronger form than Prince Escalus. Astigar was only caught close home by a well-backed favourite in a maiden here last month with the winner’s yard running former pointer Hurling Magic in this. Connections of KARL PHILIPPE will be hoping for a good run from Martinhal in the first division to point to the chances of their six-year-old who gets the nod ahead of Killer Kane, having a first run since runner-up at Aintree in October.
Formwatch
Prince Escalus (IRE) Evens (11-4) Led, shaken up and headed after 2 out, outpaced after last, kept on into second close home but no match for winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Mig Des Taillons (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Seelotmorebusiness (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Chased leaders out wide, challenged and hit 4 out, led next, soon pushed along, headed and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 10, 24 1/2l behind Stellar Magic (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Sheldon (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) Tracked leaders, joined leaders 3 out, ridden to lead when not fluent last, stayed on gamely, won at Fakenham 2m mdn (3) hvy in Jan beating Kildimo (11-4) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Astigar (FR) 15-8 (11-4) Close up, chased winner 3 out, ridden to lead last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Patroclus (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Karl Philippe (FR) Evensfav (11-5) Headway chasing leaders before 2nd, close 3rd 4 out, led next, narrow lead when awkward last, headed run-in, rallied, just held, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Martinhal (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Killer Kane (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, led 2 out, ridden flat, headed final 120 yards, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Real Stone (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Off The Planet (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 11l behind Marble Sands (11-0) at Ascot 2m (4) sft in Oct.
One Fer Mamma (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Midfield, headway on outside end of back straight, ridden to track leader entering home straight, outpaced 2f out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 14l behind Del La Mar Rocket (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f (5) hvy in Jan.
Morning Gloria (IRE) Fame And Glory M out of Leading Article.
Hurling Magic (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Mid div in 4th until much clsr 4th frm 8th, gng well 5out, 3rd 4out, wnt 2nd bef 2out, 2l 2nd & no ex bef last, so, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Shan Blue (11-11) at Turtulla 3m mdn gd in Nov.