15:05 Exeter

Tuesday 21 March 2017

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Higos Insurance Services Plymstock Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 4m 51.7s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Martabot¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: David Noonan⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 112

9/1

French import who was foiled by a well backed horse last time. Has shown a tendency to hang under pressure and this looks a stronger race than last time. Stable won this last year.

Form: F42/

Steel Express⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: James Best| T: Miss L Blackford| OR: 109

14/1

Winner of a heavy ground bumper here in 2015. Highly tried in first three starts over hurdles but has now earned a handicap mark. Could show more but may require more cut in the ground than is forecast.

Form: 866673

The Kings Writ³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: D A Jacob| T: R Woollacott| OR: 108

6/1

Sent off at odds of 300/1 last time and showed first glimmer of form behind a couple of previous winners here last time. Handicap mark looks right based on that and any further improvement since would make him a contender.

Form:

Torhousemuir^h⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: R P McLernon| T: S Thomas| OR: 108

33/1

Has shown little so far to suggest he will be improving his trainer's low strike rate (2-78 for short career). Makes handicap debut.

Form: 05F894-

Boy In A Bentley^v1⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 107

9/1

Made a promising start to his career but has proved a disappointment since. Visor tried for first time. Handicap mark is dropping but with good reason.

Form: 35P623-

Magical Thomas⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 104

8/1

Should be a different proposition now handicapping on better ground. Rated 76 on the Flat and potentially well handicapped on that basis. One to note in the market.

Form: 6003P7-

Steel City^p¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: J McGrath| T: J W Mullins| OR: 104

8/1

Sole win came in January 2014. Last run suggests handicap mark has dropped to a level from which he can be competitive.

Form: 388357-

Straits Of Messina⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: T Symonds| OR: 103

9/1

Hit a good run of form before missing the whole of last season. Posted two good efforts before running poorly last time. Made an early mistake that day which may account for that performance. Jockey booking sparks interest.

Form: 21/2300-

Rebel Beat⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Adrian Heskin| T: David Dennis| OR: 103

12/1

Was in the process of running a big race before falling at Leicester in November. Fortunes since have reflected those of his yard. Cannot be ruled out with trainer's horses showing signs of running a lot better now.

Form: 7F5553

Lough Derg Mystery⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: T E Whelan| T: Nick Mitchell| OR: 101

14/1

Has looked moderate thus far and now makes handicap debut. Should be more competitive now but remains hard to recommend.

Form: 4F3-38

Jigsaw Financial¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Mrs L J Young| OR: 99

40/1

Winner off this mark under today's rider last summer. Conditions here will suit better than those encountered since but others still make more appeal.

Form: 129068-

Orion's Might¹⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Stan Sheppard⁽⁵⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 98

16/1

Still a maiden after 46 starts under all codes. Has ground to suit but that is still a flimsy case on which to pin hopes.

Form: 25P56-2

Baccalaureate^p¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Bryony Frost⁽⁷⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 96

16/1

Has been running well around here of late. Finished well last time and the extra distance will help. Has more to do off a higher mark but arrives in good heart.

Form: 841205-

Galactic Power⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 85

11/2

The form of his latest victory does not amount to a great deal. However, ground conditions suit and this track may suit him better than Catterick. Has two wins and five places from 14 starts and another honest account beckons.

Form: 303114

Forecasts

Galactic Power (11/2), The Kings Writ (6/1), Steel City (8/1), Magical Thomas (8/1), Boy In A Bentley (9/1), Martabot (9/1), Straits Of Messina (9/1), Rebel Beat (12/1), Lough Derg Mystery (14/1), Steel Express (14/1), Baccalaureate (16/1), Orion's Might (16/1), Torhousemuir (33/1), Jigsaw Financial (40/1)

Baccalaurate has been in good heart lately and has come from off the pace to produce two excellent runs at this track. The extra distance can help but preference is for MAGICAL THOMAS who gets the ground he needs for his handicap debut. His Flat form suggests he is capable of more than has been seen thus far and his astute trainer has found what appears to be an uncompetitive race.. Galactic Power is only 3lb higher than when scoring last time. The form is not strong but he should be seen to better effect around here on more suitable ground.