13:30 Exeter

Thursday 8 October 2020

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Exeter Racecourse Season Opener Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 4m 23.04s

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Selected odds by:

Espalion^t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 119

9/2

Has resumed better than ever, landing 17-runner handicap hurdle (11/2) at Uttoxeter (19.9f, good) 36 days ago by 7l from Minella Mojo. Up 8 lb but another bold showing is on the cards.

Form:

Minella Mojo^p¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Bryan Carver| T: C J Down| OR: 114

7/1

Arrives in excellent form, faring best of those ridden prominently when fifth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Warwick (21f, good, 5/1) 17 days ago, Sure to go well again.

Form:

Authorizo^p1,t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Ross Turner⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 114

33/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2019, but he posted respectable seventh of 14 in handicap hurdle at Hexham (16.2f) 23 days ago. Cheekpieces on now and needs bit more if he's to end losing run.

Form:

Percy Street^b,t¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁶⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 113

22/1

Ungenuine type who is now thirteen runs without a win. 9/1, only twelfth of 13 in handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot (21.6f, good) 10 days ago so others appeal more.

Form:

Dante's View⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Luca Morgan⁽³⁾| T: George Baker| OR: 113

14/1

Fair 14f maiden on Flat who has finished in the frame all 3 runs over hurdles, fourth of 12 in novice at Fontwell (19.2f, good) 41 days ago. Makes handicap debut now with more to find off stiff mark.

Form:

Don Juan Du Gouet²³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 112| CD

14/1

C&D winner who recorded very good third of 11 in handicap at Ludlow (21.2f, heavy) 7 months ago on final run for Henry Daly. In the mix if hitting ground running for his new yard.

Form:

Fubar^p,t⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Chester Williams⁽³⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 111

7/1

Knocking on the door at present, second of 13 in handicap hurdle at Perth (20.2f, good) 58 days ago. Considered in bid for his first win.

Form:

Level Of Intensity³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Tom Buckley⁽³⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 108

50/1

Without a win since 2018, and he beat only one in handicap hurdle (33/1) at Perth (23.9f, good) 31 days ago. Down in trip but still hard to fancy.

Form:

Feuille De Chene²¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 108| BF

5/1

Dual bumper winner who hinted at promise when in frame first two runs over hurdles before (9/4) only eighth of 12 on handicap bow at Doncaster (19.4f, good to soft).7 months ago. May still do better.

Form:

Malangen^b,t⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 107| C

16/1

Landed claiming hurdle at Southwell and not disgraced when third of 13 in handicap at Sedgefield (19.8f, good) 9 days ago, though looked awkard under pressure. Course winner but none too reliable.

Form:

Avoid De Master²⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 107

11/4

Hinted at promise before (cheekpieces on) last of 7 in novice hurdle at Musselburgh (23.8f) on final run for David Dennis. Into handicaps on return for new yard off good mark so not without interest.

Form:

Solstalla^p¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Page Fuller| T: D Weston| OR: 102| D

14/1

16/1 and back in cheekpieces, improved to win 13-runner handicap hurdle at Warwick (19f, good) 16 days ago. Up 6 lb but headgear retained so she's well worth considering.

Form:

Non-Runners

How's The Cricket²⁹

Weight: 10-8| Age: 5

T: J Farrelly J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Avoid De Master (11/4), Espalion (9/2), Feuille De Chene (5/1), Fubar (7/1), Minella Mojo (7/1), How's The Cricket (15/2), Dante's View (14/1), Don Juan Du Gouet (14/1), Solstalla (14/1), Malangen (16/1), Percy Street (22/1), Authorizo (33/1), Level Of Intensity (50/1)

A competitive handicap in which a chance is taken on the lightly raced AVOID DE MASTER. He hinted at promise last term and starts this season on a workable mark for his new trainer Fergal O'Brien so gets the vote. Espalion heads the list of dangers, although both Minella Mojo and How's The Cricket are two who are also sure to make their presence felt in an intiguing opener.