Expect the unexpected in a race with history for in-running surprises

3.15 Exeter
Close Brothers Handicap Chase | 3m6½f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

There might be races run over further, but there aren’t many greater tests of stamina than this handicap chase.

Exeter, situated on Haldon Hill, is one of the most undulating tracks in Britain and there is a daunting climb from the home turn to the line.

A lot can change on this stiff uphill finish, which features four fences that will require plenty of jumping at the end of such a gruelling test, and that might help explain why this race has been a hotbed for throwing up big surprises on Betfair’s in-running markets in recent years.

In 2013, Major Malarkey fought his way back to the front after being headed and looking beaten to score after trading at a high of 200 in running and just three years later it was Yanmere who performed a similar feat for the same yard, that of Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Yanmere still had six rivals ahead of him at the third last and was no better than fourth at the final fence, but his reputation as a dour stayer played a part in him trading at no bigger than 140 in the run. That was still big, but any other horse would have hit the maximum 1,000.

There is one runner in this line-up who has traded at the magical 1,000 in running before going on to win and that's Buster Edwards. He will have the stamina for this marathon trip.

Buster Edwards achieved that feat when landing a 3m½f handicap hurdle at Haydock in December last year and he wasn’t even in the picture entering the final half-furlong. I invite you to go back and watch the replay on racingpost.com if you want to see a remarkable finish in which he rockets past three rivals in the dying strides to put his head in front on the line.

He isn't the only one with form for the extraordinary. Sizing Cusimano touched 910 en route to his last win in a 2m7½f handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter in 2018, while Findusatgorcombe (350), Big Difference (300) and Bermeo (280) have also defied three-figure in running prices.

One thing is for sure – expect the unexpected.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Jonjo O'Neill, trainer of Lithic
You don't know if they'll get the trip until you try them, but he ran well last time and seems to keep galloping. He'll like the cut in the ground.

Polly Gundry, trainer of Dawson City
He's well and he's running over the correct trip, so we're hopeful. He doesn't come into his own until he's got at least three miles-three.

Evan Williams, trainer of Holdbacktheriver
He's always going to pop up every now and then. He ran an exceptional race over an inadequate trip last time and he's come on a lot for it. He's very hot and cold, but if he's hot he's got a chance.

Joe Tizzard, son and assistant to Colin Tizzard, trainer of Sizing Cusimano
He ran a lovely race the other day over an inadequate trip. He's got to prove he can stay this far, but he looks like all he does is keep galloping. If he does get the trip, then hopefully he'll have a chance.

Johnny Farrelly, trainer of Bermeo
If he handles the track as he did Cheltenham, he has a massive chance. The trip will be brilliant for him.

Bermeo: marathon trip should suitCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Ben Pauling, trainer of Big Difference
He's run well the last twice and he's improving. The unknown is the trip, but he looks a stayer and if he sees it out, I hope he'll be competitive.
Reporting by David Carr

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