Racecards
15:05 Exeter
Agatha Christie Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Class E)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 7f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Form 136-131
- Age 7
- Weight 12-5
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
made all, left clear 2 out, pecked last, unchallenged
- Form 484/PP-P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer P Ritchens
- Jockey Mr David Turner
in rear, mistake 5th, tailed off from 7th, unseated rider 3 out
- Form 3310-1U
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer V R A Dartnall
- Jockey A Thornton
in touch, mistake 3rd, chased winner from 7th, 1 length 2nd when fell 2 out
- Form 41P/0-2
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer A Lidderdale
- Jockey B Fenton
in touch, headway 8th, 3rd and held when left 2nd next
- Form 4-73F3F
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer A Hales
- Jockey J P McNamara
held up, mistake 2nd, 4th and beaten when mistake 4 out, left 3rd 2 out
- Form 11-37U5
- Age 9
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer Mrs Jane Galpin
- Jockey R Greene
chased winner to 7th, ridden 10th, soon beaten
- Form PPP-P18
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
in touch to 2nd, soon towards rear, ridden 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
In depth
Verdict
Not so much of a mystery as the name of the race suggests with only one real suspect in the shape of One Knight, a Cheltenham Festival candidate who has improved for the switch to fences and is in the care of an in-form partnership. He will act on the ground. His only weakness is is habit of putting in below par performances for no apparent reason. If this should happen expect the lightly-raced Master Ride to take advantage. Although this is his fence debut he has always been thought of as a chaser and has some useful hurdle form in the book. Better Thyne has possibilities based on hurdle form though his only run over fences will not have done his confidence much good. The rest look exposed and distinctly average.