13:30 Exeter

Sunday 26 November 2023

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:3815:1015:45

Devonshire Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 4m 54.44s

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Selected odds by:

Kilbeg King¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 137

11/2

Point winner who landed only start in bumpers and, following a lengthy absence, made rapid strides over hurdles last term, making it 3 wins from 5 starts in 25-runner Punchestown handicap. Should reach similar heights over fences with his debut/comeback run at Warwick under his belt.

Form: 16121-3

Jerrash¹⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 127| D

28/1

Back on track following 11 months off when successful at Plumpton (25f) in January but has failed to build on that, making a discouraging chasing debut at Fontwell when last seen in May.

Form: 10/1P0-4

Bumpy Johnson^p,t²¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 125

20/1

Won pair of 2½m Ffos Las handicap hurdles in a productive 2022/3 campaign. Tackles fences for the first time on his return (fell sole outing in points).

Form: 441421-

Manorbank⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 123

11/2

Bumper winner on debut. Evidently had his problems since but making up for lost time, much improved to win novice hurdles in the spring. Decent start over fences when third at Ffos Las on handicap bow/return 6 weeks ago and entitled to improve on that.

Form: 1/541-13

Issuing Authority²⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 122WS

4/1

Flemensfirth gelding from a good family. Runner-up in Irish points at second attempt and forged clear to land 5-runner bumper at Uttoxeter. Fairly useful form when placed all 4 starts over hurdles and bred to make a better chaser.

Form: 21/2322-

Amrons Sage²¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 120

5/1

Won sole outing in Irish points and progressive winner over hurdles last season. Type to make a better chaser so much respected.

Form: 1/22413-

Moriko De Vassy⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 119

11/1

Bumper winner who was 2-4 over hurdles during 2021/22 campaign. Failed to progress from promising chase debut in 2 subsequent runs over fences last term, though, and made a low-key start for this yard back over hurdles on return.

Form: 18/26P-7

Hermes Du Gouet²²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 118| C

10/3

Point winner who was much improved when making all in 16.7f Exeter novice hurdle in January. Solid effort when third at Plumpton next time but failed to meet expectations on handicap debut at Wincanton when last seen in April. Should make a better chaser and yard remain in fine form.

Form: 2/64137-

I Shut That D'or^t⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 115

12/1

Fairly useful winner at 21f over hurdles. Shaped as if better for the run in first-time tongue strap after 8 months off when remote third of 4 in handicap chase at Fontwell (19.5f, good) on debut over fences 50 days ago. 1 lb out of handicap.

Form: 4/7514-3

Forecasts

Hermes Du Gouet (10/3), Issuing Authority (4/1), Amrons Sage (5/1), Kilbeg King (11/2), Manorbank (11/2), Moriko De Vassy (11/1), I Shut That D'or (12/1), Bumpy Johnson (20/1), Jerrash (28/1)

AMRONS SAGE was progressive over hurdles last season and this Irish point winner will surely do even better over fences being from the family of connections' very smart chaser Beware The Bear, so he could be worth chancing on return. Manorbank and Kilbeg King were also progressive over timber and both should come on for their comeback run/chase debut, while Hermes du Gouet is another interesting newcomer to this sphere.