A good card at Exeter this afternoon and Nitrogen (12.50) makes his debut under rules for Harry Fry having his first start for over two years since winning a point-to-point for Richard Barber. He is likely to have done plenty of schooling for the yard and did cost £170,000 as a foal in his native Ireland back in 2007. He looks to have been found a very winnable opportunity and, as a half-brother to triple Gold Cup winner Best Mate, he is certainly bred for the job. Winter Walk is the obvious danger for Rebecca Curtis and AP McCoy but Nitrogen gets the vote.
Lochnagar (1.20) didn’t beat much at Uttoxeter last time but is taken to defy a 7Twlb rise in the Handicap Hurdle for Venetia Williams. The 5-y-old is 6lbs well in despite running with a 7lb penalty and he is taken to get the better of recent C&D winners Pull The Chord and Thundering Home with the former considered as the biggest danger for the powerful Philip Hobbs/Richard Johnson partnership.
The three-runner Graduation Chase is a tricky race to solve despite the paucity of runners. Open Hearted has a good record fresh and receives weight from Brick Red and Mr Mole (1.50) but the latter beat the well touted Vukovar first time out at Warwick last season and has a good record in small fields.
Midnight Belle (2.20) warmed to her task at Carlisle on Sunday and ran her best race yet over fences; if over those exertions she will be very hard to beat back against her own sex and I hope Felix De Giles makes plenty of use of his mare.
Trickaway (2.50) had always looked like making up into a decent chaser and the penny finally dropped at Wincanton last time when he scored easily off a 9lb lower mark. If his jumping stands the test I am sure there are more races to be won with this strapping 6-y-old and he will be hard to beat for the Hobbs/Johnson combo.
Mudita Moment (1.10) makes his chase debut for Venetia Williams in a limited handicap at Towcester and it should be noted that he won first time out last term over timber, albeit from a 28lbs lower mark, returning from an 18-month break. He has the physique to jump a fence and must go close with a stiff right-handed track looking an ideal starting point.
BetVictor sponsor the card at Kempton Park again this evening and Plaisir (6.15) ran a race full of promise on debut when third over C&D when not knocked about under Martin Harley. Adam Kirby takes over tonight and this well-bred filly is entitled to have learnt plenty from her initial racecourse experience.
The progressive Unforgiving Minute (7.15) has it all to do on official figures in the valuable Best Prices For 4 Seasons BetVictor Conditions Stakes but he comes into the race on a hat-trick having scored twice on polytrack in recent weeks and, although he would be much better off in a handicap, he can continue his upward curve for Clive Cox.
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