Could a return to Exeter be the spark needed for the well-handicapped Outlaw Peter?

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The uphill finish at Exeter doesn’t suit every horse, but Outlaw Peter certainly seems to like it. His two runs at the course have yielded form figures of 41, including a 19-length win on his last visit.

So it begs the question: why hasn’t he been back since 2022?

Whatever the reason, there is clear evidence that a return to Exeter could be the spark needed for Outlaw Peter to show his best, but he needs a spark. He has been beaten at least 19 lengths on his last five starts and is now 12lb lower than when starting that poor run.

But that does mean he is well handicapped, while this will be only his second start in veterans’ company. He is also one of only four ten-year-olds in this 2m3f race (the youngest group).

Neon Moon also comes into that category and will find this significantly easier than when falling in a red-hot race behind Vincenzo at Ascot last time. He won at that track in November from just a 3lb lower mark, so holds his form despite his advancing years, and could go well.

However, if trainer track records hold the key then it’s Paul Nicholls (Outlaw Peter) and Jonjo and AJ O’Neill who should be followed. Nicholls has a 27 per cent winning strike-rate at Exeter in the last five seasons, while the O’Neill team are 25 per cent, and saddle Genois, another ten-year-old. He is the solid option after two good runs at Wetherby, provided he can repeat that form.

Weighing up horses of this age isn’t easy, but maybe Outlaw Peter will provide the answer back at one of his favourite tracks. Genois looks the most likely to threaten his superiority.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Ground and weather

The going is good to soft, soft in places. Light drizzle is expected to clear by early morning, leaving a dry and cloudy day.

What they say

Olly Murphy, trainer of Gunsight Ridge
Hopefully going back up in trip will help. He's had a wind operation again. He's obviously getting on in years but this is only his second run in a veterans' race and hopefully he'll get his mojo back running against the elders.

Heather Main, trainer of Numitor
He can't handle gluey ground and he's just not had his ground, so that's why he's not completed recently. We haven't been able to run him in a while. I'm hoping it dries up to be nice ground. The clerk of the course says it will be, so fingers crossed.

David Pipe, trainer of Neon Moon
Falling last time was unusual for him, but he's in good form and the drying ground will suit. The trip will suit too. It looks an open race but hopefully he has a squeak. He's high enough in the handicap but he's been a great horse over the years and is consistent.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Outlaw Peter
He's been disappointing but he's had plenty of issues. At Warwick he didn't enjoy the very testing ground and hopefully on better ground he can improve, but he just needs to turn the corner on what he's been doing.

AJ O'Neill, joint-trainer of Genois
He's in great form and he did it well to win at Wetherby on Boxing Day when he was first off the bridle. Ben Macey gave him a good ride. He put in another nice performance at the same track last time. He's in at the bottom of the weights here in a different kind of race and up in competition, but we're looking forward to seeing how he runs.
Reporting by Maddy Playle

By Chris Cook

Knight's quiet spell could be about to end

Moab ran eye-catchingly well when second in a Huntingdon handicap hurdle in January and is of interest in a decent-looking contest at Exeter (3.10). The six-year-old was never going to beat a Dan Skelton hotpot that day but stuck with him and pulled well clear of 13 others. Coming down in trip and on to a drier surface looks a good move. It's been quiet recently for Hen Knight's runners but, after a fair run on the Flat, Moab is one to take seriously.

Ayr raiders back for more

County Derry trainer Noel Kelly and amateur jockey Oran McGill enjoyed a 14-1 double from their two runners at Ayr a month ago, so it's interesting to see them back at the Scottish track with three runners today. Dahab can only be watched in a maiden hurdle but Nakassama won at Hexham on his last trip over and is interesting in a small-field handicap hurdle (3.50). Chanceawetmorning, second at Fairyhouse last time, has obvious claims in the 2m4½f handicap hurdle (4.20).

Spring bringing Dennis joy so take advantage

After a quiet winter, David Dennis's string seems to be hitting form in early spring and not for the first time, scoring a 29-1 handicap double at Huntingdon on Sunday. Harthill is scheduled to be his next runner since then as she tackles the handicap hurdle for mares at Exeter (5.18). She ran well to be second last month on her first run after a wind op. It is probably to her advantage that conditions will put slightly less emphasis on speed.

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