13:50 Exeter

Monday 20 November 2023

All12:1012:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:00

Haldon Forest Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 32.0s

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Selected odds by:

King Turgeon^p,t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 12-2| J: Gearoid Harney⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 112

4/1

Ex-French gelding got off the mark on second start for this yard at Fontwell in March. Shaped most encouragingly when finishing clear of rest with a thriving rival at Chepstow on return and he makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 27164-2

Captain Tommy^p,t⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 112| D

12/1

Slipped in the weights before winning at Bangor and Worcester during the summer and wasn't disgraced from a 3 lb higher mark at Fontwell (26f, good) 45 days ago. Can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

Form: 266153

Behind The Curtain¹⁰⁹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 109

25/1

Fair maiden hurdler in 2020 for Philip Rothwell. Left that yard for €20,000 and can only be watched sent chasing after 3-year absence.

Form: 748254/

Imperial Joe¹⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Sean Houlihan| T: T Dennis| OR: 107| C

8/1

Most consistent last season, winning early in the campaign at Newton Abbot before a pair of later wins at Taunton. Did come on from his return last year but would hold sound claims if ready to roll here after 6-months off.

Form: 21612-4

Moorland Rambler²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 105| C

4/1

Appreciated the test of stamina when winning a 17f handicap hurdle here in January. Bit below that level when fourth of 6 in handicap chase at this course (19.2f, soft) on debut over fences 27 days ago but may do better up further in trip.

Form: 53177-4

Mormon^p,t²²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: M G Nolan| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 105WS

33/1

Sole win to his name came over hurdles on New Years' Day 2019 and form since joining this yard from Henry de Bromhead has been patchy. Others preferred.

Form: 4/45P4P-

No Hubs No Hoobs^t²²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 102

15/2

Off the mark at Wincanton (25.1f) on Boxing Day but wasn't able to build on that run in his 3 subsequent starts, beaten a long way when third here in April. However, has gone well fresh previously and shouldn't be fully ruled out for in-form yard.

Form: 2P1F33-

My Girl Katie¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 101| D

6/1

Irish point winner showed fair form over hurdles last term, though hasn't convinced in a pair of outings over fences so far, making mistakes when fourth of 8 in handicap chase at Hereford (25.2f, good) 14 days ago. Needs to step forward.

Form: 3234-64

Leissieres Express²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 100

9/2

Hasn't been the easiest to train but bettered his hurdles form when second of 9 in handicap chase at Wincanton (20.2f, soft) on debut over fences 22 days ago. Wouldn't be guaranteed to go the right way from that promising effort but has to be respected nonetheless.

Form: 0/948P-2

Valirann Gold^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: R Patrick| T: H Brown| OR: 88

40/1

Much improved wehn scoring over 2m at Chepstow in January and hasn't quite been in the same form since, albeit facing a stiff task from out of the weights at Warwick last time. Others make more appeal.

Form: 61333-9

Tudors Treasure²⁰⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Jones| T: R Stephens| OR: 78| C| D

11/1

Three-time winner at this track but hasn't scored since 2021 and is generally proving more miss than hit at this advanced stage of his career. Not the easiest to make a case for.

Form: 4/PP2P7-

Forecasts

King Turgeon (4/1), Moorland Rambler (4/1), Leissieres Express (9/2), My Girl Katie (6/1), No Hubs No Hoobs (15/2), Imperial Joe (8/1), Tudors Treasure (11/1), Captain Tommy (12/1), Behind The Curtain (25/1), Mormon (33/1), Valirann Gold (40/1)

KING TURGEON pulled well clear with a race-fit and in-form rival on return at Chepstow, and with the same claimer retaining the partnership, is fancied to go one better this time. Leissieres Express showed improved from on chase debut at Wincanton and also merits respect, whilst No Hubs No Hoobs has slipped back towards his last winning mark and isn't discounted given his decent record after a break.