Jumps at Exeter on 19/10/2021
Exeter Jumps Racing Tuesday 19/10/2021
William Hill is offering better prices than I have quoted on these two but there is no best odds guaranteed with that firm so I went for Bet365.
2.05 Exeter
2m7f Exeter Staying Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers' Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-125)
One of my local trainers Jonjo O’neill has a brilliant horse out on Tuesday called An Tailliur.
Jonjo’s yard has been firing on all cylinders since the 12th and has won 4 from 16 which is 25% which means he is currently on the rise as his 14 day record is 4 from 25 or 16%.
An Tailliur is in rude form having won his last four and in this mood will be very hard to beat with only a 5lb rise for winning in a very pleasing fashion last time out. He probably could have ran on for an extra two furlongs after the finish in the last race, or so it seemed, so moving up to 2m7f is absolutely no concern.
This is my take on his last race.
Howling Milan pulled a march on the others and scampered off at the start and was rewarded with a huge lead. An Tailliur strolled up to him catching him at the start of the first time down the home straight with seemingly no effort. He then raced prominently stalking the leader whilst being heavily restrained on a very short reign. He looked eager as opposed to trying to run free. At hurdle number six Jonjo encountered a problem. His cruising speed on An Tailliur was so high compared to Howling Milan that he was beginning to get bunched up behind him. He went up alongside and settled the horse down back in to his tracking role. A couple joined him soon after racing well beside him. Faint Hope got up to lead as the pace had slowed right down. An Tailliur happily tracked the leaders until he started to make his move 3 out. Approaching 2 out they were in a line of three with Jonjo’s horse being forced to run wide. When they landed Jonjo unleashed An Tailliur. At this point it looked like he was going to rout the field. At the last Faint hope and An Tailliur landed together with Faint hope going slightly ahead. Jonjo junior immediately got to work and soon as he was past the leader he declined to use the whip as there was no need. Nothing was going to deal with him that day and going up 5lbs is not going to slow him much.
Jonjo’s son Jonjo rides and has also been doing well recently. I do wonder if it ever causes any confusion in the yard with the trainer and his son having the same name.
There should be no problem with the rise in class as he is nearly top weight showing that he has quality in this field.
An Tailliur 11/8 Bet365 BOG
3.15 Exeter
2m3f (2m3f48y) Racing TV HD On Sky 426 Handicap Chase (Class 4) (4yo+ 0-110)
Jonjo has another great chance in this race with the exiting Pens Man (careful how you say that) going for the Hat trick. Jonjo junior is in the saddle for this one and will hopefully be nice and motivated after winning the 2.05!
After winning a 3m point to point in 2019 it has taken him a while to get going as hurdler with a second place in August 2020 being the best of the finishing positions. As soon as Jonjo got him over fences he has been a revelation winning both of his starts so far. It would surprise me if there was not more progression to come and if there is he will be difficult to beat.
Pens Man is being stepped up to class 3 company after winning twice in a row at class 4. The drop back in trip should not be a problem and it should allow him to have a bit more oomph in the last furlong. He will deal with the rise in weight fine.
He will be keeping the tongue tie on to stop him rudely sticking his tongue out at his rivals as he crosses the line and will be fitted out with his sheepskin cheek pieces to help with his concentration.
Pens Man WIN 11/10 Bet365 Bog