Racecards
16:00 Exeter
Max Dunford Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f 110y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- Form 1-4221
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 119
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey L Heard
chased leaders, ridden after 7th, slightly outpaced, stayed on after 2 out, went 3rd and hung left run-in
- Form 22-F113
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer M Scudamore
- Jockey T Scudamore
tracked leader, led approaching 5th, headed and hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened run-in
Bumper (FR)
11- Form 012-724
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 108
held up, headway approaching 5th, with leaders after 7th, soon ridden, stayed on to lead at the last, driven out
- Form F0-P2FP
- Age 9
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer N R Mitchell
- Jockey N D Fehily
led until 5th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Seeador
32- Form 632322
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey W P Kavanagh
tracked leaders, went prominent at 5th, led 3 out, soon ridden and drifted right, headed at the last, no extra
- Form 6795/4-1
- Age 8
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 96
towards rear, headway 6th, weakened after 7th
- Form 3604
- Age 5
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer J G M O'Shea
- Jockey T J Malone
in touch until 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
Joizel (FR)
369- Form 6442P4-
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 76
- Trainer V G Greenway
- Jockey C Poste
towards rear, some headway 5th, weakened after 7th, pulled up before 3 out
In depth
Verdict
The three for the shortlist look to be The Luder, Ballyjohnboy Lord and Beyondtherealm, with our vote going to The Luder. Raised eight pounds for a Wincanton win last time, The Luder remains lightly raced and open to improvement and, as such, seems to have a pretty good profile for this race. Although disappointing last time, Ballyjohnboy Lord had looked progressive in winning twice before that and his mark remains one from which he ought to be able to win. Beyondtherealm improved to score at Chepstow last time and, for us, the handicapper does not seem to have overreacted to that so he is also respected. The others, overall, seem to need to find some improvement in order to feature, although Bumper is hard to fully quantify but will certainly appreciate today's trip to the one he raced over at Bangor last time. All of which returns us to the selection, which is The Luder.
Formwatch
The Luder (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Held up in touch, headway after 3 out, challenged and led 2 out, driven out and ran on gamely from last, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan beating Saltango (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Ballyjohnboy Lord (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (11-10) In touch, led narrowly before 10th, headed soon after 2 out, no exrta, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Alfasonic (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Bumper (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Chased winner, led 2nd to 4th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 9, 10l behind Call Oscar (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Cockatoo Ridge 20-1 (10-6) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, blundered, lost place 7th, soon tailed off pulled up 2 out in race won by Alright Now M'Lad (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs, 12 ran.
Seeador 6-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakening when mistake 3 out, 2nd of 15, 28l behind Teeton Babysham (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Beyondtherealm 5-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 4th, went 2nd 4 out, led soon after last, ran on flat, won at Chepstow 2m sll hdl (G) gs in Nov beating Amanpuri (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Absolutelythebest (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, hit 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, one pace and no impression after, 4th of 14, 14l behind Temoin (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) gd.
Joizel (FR) 25-1 (9-9) Held up in touch, ridden and headway 3 out, not quicken, 4th of 14, 19l behind Alikat (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Feb '05.