Timeform Daily: Wednesday October 7, 14:50, Exeter

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 06 October 2009 / Leave a Comment

Timeform run the rule over the field for the Champagne Lanson Brut Rose NV Novices' Handicap Hurdle (4).

Talimos will doubtless be popular after opening his account over hurdles last month, but he hardly looked the most straightforward in doing so. With that in mind, Carey's Road is taken to concede weight all round. Darn Hot is best of the rest.

Carey's Road hinted at ability in three maiden hurdles in Ireland, and shaped better than the bare result second start in handicaps last time. Open to improvement, and should be up to winning off this sort of mark.

Haldibari is an unreliable performer who's unlikely to take advantage of a declining mark on this return to hurdling judged on his most recent displays in this sphere and on the Flat.

Darn Hot is an unexposed mare who shaped with promise over hurdles last term. She should have no problem with conditions, and is entitled to be on the premises if fully wound up on her return.

Tavalu returned to form out of the blue when winning over a shorter trip here in May, but he has produced moody efforts on the whole since.

Talimos won a maiden on the Flat in June, and was off the mark at the second attempt in juvenile hurdles at Fontwell last month, despite not looking straightforward. He is well weighted if applying himself fully.

Ere Alfie was well beaten in a bumper/over hurdles when with Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Tubby Littlejohns showed a glimmer of ability on the Flat, but little promise in a bumper/over hurdles. Cheekpieces need to have drastic effect to be involved on this handicap bow.