14:50 Exeter

Sunday 12 February 2017

All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 56.95s

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Selected odds by:

Reve De Sivola¹⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽⁵⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 147

12/1

Formerly a useful hurdler but is not the force he was; he likes to make the running and can be a tough nut to crack when he gets it right but he needs to prove he still retains his enthusiasm now he is in the veteran stage of his career.

Form: 6251-75

Barney Dwan²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 143

7/1

Has a good record from his completed starts (has won or been placed in five of his seven starts over timber) and can be forgiven his minor mistake last time out. Solid chance if his jumping holds together this time around.

Form: 11413-2

Fingal Bay⁴²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: James Best| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 141

18/1

A better hurdler than a chaser, this fellow is a pervious winner of this race and has Cheltenham Festival winning form t his name. Richard Johnson knows him inside out and the partnership should be capable of making a fist of things. Disconcerting that he hasn't won a since his Festival success in 2014, though.

Form: 32P8-66

Ballymalin²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 138

7/2

Progressing very nicely and has adapted well to racing under rules. This is a lot tougher than some of his recent assignments, so he will have to up his game once more if he is going to extend his winning sequence to five from his last six starts.

Form: 203-131

Red Sherlock^t1¹⁰⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: C O'Farrell| T: D Pipe| OR: 138

16/1

Racked up seven wins for the Pipe yard in bumpers and hurdles before finishing down the field behind Faugheen at Cheltenham a couple of seasons ago. It has to be a concern that he has hasn't been seen on a racecourse since then, so a monitoring of the betting market will be a crucial aspect before getting involved today.

Form: 111119/

Clondaw Cian²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: S Bowen| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 138

11/1

Capable on his day but failed to respond as desired when he raced off this mark last time out. Needs to prove he has more to offer from his revised mark so may be one to have reservations about from a betting perspective.

Form: 14722-1

Rocklander⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 137

7/1

Has a willing attitude and was unlucky not to expand on his profile following a near miss last time out. However, he readily held the likes of Fingal Bay, so has to merit interest despite going up 6lb in the weights for not winning.

Form: 4-22112

Big Easy^p⁵¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137

33/1

A versatile character, he won the Cesarewitch in 2014 and has paid his way in place money back over hurdles since then. However, he missed last season and needs to prove his well being before he can be recommend with anything other than speculative interest.

Form: 240/P0-3

Virtuel D'oudon⁷²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: David Noonan⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 136

50/1

Not without ability but is another with a long absence to overcome, so obviously needs to prove his fitness. The trip and ground should suit him, though.

Form: 42P181/

Solstice Star^p1,t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Killian Moore⁽³⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 134

33/1

Enjoyed a good campaign last year but failed to sparkle when switched to fences; his recent efforts have also lacked a punch, so he looks one to be a little wary of just for now

Form: 1122-55

Impulsive Star³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 130

11/4

A lightly raced individual that creeps into the reckoning as a potential blot on the handicap; he goes well for today's rider, so should be capable of a bold effort. One to monitor carefully in the betting.

Form: 11-

Eamon An Cnoic⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 130

8/1

Won a conditional riders' event last time out and deservedly takes a step into a higher grade as a result. Adds a further aspect to David Pipe's challenge but is certainly no back number judging by the jockey bookings. One for the shortlist at least.

Form: 2/352-11

Lady Of Longstone^p⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Michael Heard⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 122

40/1

Likes a test of stamina and has some solid form to her name. However, she has hit a lull of late and this looks a more competitive heat than she may care for just now.

Form: 0-37354

Non-Runners

Dell' Arca⁷

Weight: 11-3| Age: 8

T: D Pipe J: Non Runner

Tobefair²⁹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: Mrs D A Hamer J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Impulsive Star (11/4), Ballymalin (7/2), Rocklander (7/1), Barney Dwan (7/1), Eamon An Cnoic (8/1), Clondaw Cian (11/1), Reve De Sivola (12/1), Dell' Arca (12/1), Tobefair (14/1), Red Sherlock (16/1), Fingal Bay (18/1), Solstice Star (33/1), Big Easy (33/1), Lady Of Longstone (40/1), Virtuel D'oudon (50/1)

A good number of these have solid claims and while the likes of Fingal Bay (a previous winner this race) and Barney Dwan have very solid claims on the pick of their efforts, a chance is taken that ROCKLANDER can gain compensation for a couple or bear misses of late. The selection likes a good test of stamina and is taken to raise his game once more. Impulsive Star is also respected. This race would certainly have had a completely different complexion had Tobefair not had Newbury higher on his agenda on Saturday. 1. Rocklander 2. Fingal Bay 3. Barney Dwan