The ground should be perfect at Exeter for today’s seven-race card which opens with a selling hurdle. Trainer Dr Richard Newland will be hoping to have two strings to his Grand National bow with Royale Knight hopeful of getting a run alongside Pineau De Re although he does need seven to come out if he is to line up on Saturday week.
The stable saddle Murtys Delight (2.00) reverting to timber having run well over the larger obstacles in recent starts including at Huntingdon last time. The last time he was dropped into this grade he scored at Fakenham back in January despite jumping out to the right and connections look to have found an excellent opportunity.
In the City Of Exeter Handicap Hurdle Ohio Gold is interesting reverting to the smaller obstacles for Colin Tizzard at his local track but Risk A Fine (2.35) is surely better than he has shown in his last two starts for Philip Hobbs and this course winner looks sure to appreciate today’s less demanding conditions. A winning point-to-pointer if he learns to settle he clearly has ability and connections persevere with the hood he has worn since leaving his native Ireland.
Daryl Jacob takes the ride on Tizzard’s Fourth Act (3.05) on his chase debut and this half-brother to the yard’s Theatre Guide can make a winning start in a race that doesn’t look the strongest. Gun Shy will appreciate the drying ground but the selection ran some decent races in defeat over timber although he was slightly disappointing at Fontwell last time.
Coolking finished runner up in the Devon National for the second year in a row earlier in the month and he deserves to get his head in front for Chris Gordon although, at the time of writing, he is entered at Warwick on Monday and must be considered a doubtful runner. In his likely absence On Trend (3.40) can bounce back for Nick Gifford running from a mark 4lbs lower than when successful over C&D twelve months ago.
The form of Celestino’s (4.45) fifth at Newbury last time has been given a boost by the fourth Lil Rockerfeller scoring at Ascot on Sunday and he runs off a 5lb lower mark this afternoon. The selection is obviously no star but gets a 7lbs weight-for-age allowance and must go close for Champion trainer Paul Nicholls.
I like the booking of Paddy Brennan for Gud Day and the top weight would be of interest if the rain stayed away from Huntingdon but a chance is taken on The Alamo (3.50) for David Dennis whose string remain in good form despite a string of recent near misses. The juvenile won twice over a mile on the level and will never be the strongest of stayers but he attracted market support when fourth at Catterick on his penultimate start and wasn’t beaten far over 12f on the flat back in October.
