Racecards
15:20 Exeter
starsportsbet.co.uk 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f 111y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £5,000 added
- Winner: £3,249
- 2nd: £954
- 3rd: £477
- 4th: £238
- Form 1-127
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
held up behind, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on to lead post
- Form 85
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer H Fry
- Jockey B J Geraghty
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, soon pushed along, ridden and every chance run-in, just held close home
Bindon Mill
21- Form 5-2536
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer V R A Dartnall
- Jockey Ian Popham
tracked leader, led 2 out and soon pressed, caught post
- Form 3428-68
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer P C Dando
- Jockey Mr Byron Moorcroft
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened from 3 out
Firsty (IRE)
478- Form 22-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden and weakened before last
- Form RU/0-4UF
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer N J Hawke
- Jockey Dave Crosse
led and son clear, headed 2 out, ridden before last, weakened run-in
Tell Tony (IRE)
151- Form F3-37
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 3 out
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
FIRSTY was beaten under three lengths by Box Office, currently rated 135, at Enghien at the end of 2014 with Forest Bihan, now rated 140, back in third. That form would normally be good enough to win a race of this nature and he's unlikely to fail through lack of fitness given new connections. Captain Chaos was second in a Grade 2 at Sandown in December but then blotted his copy book with a poor run at Cheltenham - this is far less competitive so he is a big danger. The others are probably playing for places but Bindon Mill and Driftwood Haze already look exposed. Behind Time looks capable of better, however.
Formwatch
Captain Chaos (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-8) Raced wide, held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 7th of 10, 31 3/4l behind Champers On Ice (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (3) hvy in Jan.
Behind Time (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up, not fluent 6th, struggling next, well beaten after 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 9, dist behind Mr Mix (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Bindon Mill 12-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden and one pace 3 out, never on terms, weakened before last, 6th of 10, 30 1/4l behind Wild West Wind (10-12) at Chepstow 3m (4) hvy in Feb.
Day Of Roses (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened before 4 out, tailed off before 2 out, 7th of 13, dist behind Overtown Express (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) hvy in Feb.
Driftwood Haze 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along after 5th, struggling 6th, remote 8th after 3 out, 8th of 14, 30 1/2l behind Allee Bleue (11-10) at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Firsty (IRE) (10-5) 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Box Office (10-10) at Enghien 2m sft in Nov.
Red Red Rover (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, tracked leader until after 3rd, fell next, at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Tell Tony (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up, struggling from 4th, mistake 3 out, soon well behind, 7th of 8, dist behind General Ginger (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep.