The ground is drying out all the time and the ground might easily ride a shade quicker than the official going description of good (good to soft places) for this afternoon’s card from Exeter.
There is a cracking Novices’ Chase with Golden Doyen of interest for Philip Hobbs returning from a three-month lay-off. The 5-y-old failed to cope with heavy ground and subsequent Grade 1 winner Tea For Two when last seen in December but he has earlier form which gives him every chance back on a more favourable surface.
That said I am a big fan of Henryville (3.40) and hope the Harry Fry 8-year-old can give 5lbs to the Philip Hobbs trained Golden Doyen. The selection was no match for Irish Cavalier at Newton Abbot when last seen back in the autumn but goes well fresh, will love the ground and represents the yard of Harry Fry who has his string in excellent form.
Philip Hobbs had a largely frustrating if not disappointing Festival and I would hope to see a big run from Golden Doyen before supporting Three Faces West (4.10) but the form of the selection’s second to Milansbar over today’s C&D last month was given a boost when the winner finished runner up in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter last weekend.
The selection has never run on ground this quick but did win on good to soft ground for Donald McCain over timber last spring and he gets the vote in the valuable handicap chase. Paul Nicholls saddles two as he bids to fend off the challenge of Willie Mullins for the Champion Trainers’ title but the biggest threat might come from the former Scottish National winner Godsmejudge who will love the underfoot conditions for David Dennis.
It is hard to be confident about a horse whose latest form figures read PPP but Mor Brook (4.40) is obviously considered a horse ahead of his current mark as he has gone off 11/8, 11/4 and 11/4 for those three starts for Kim Bailey. He is lightly raced, will appreciate this better ground represents the yard of Kim Bailey who is likely to have him ready for his first start in over three months.
Kingussie (3.05) is lightly-raced for one of his years but did win a good ground Bumper when trained by Shaun Lycett in May 2014 and it will be interesting to see if connections go for a touch on his handicap debut for Ben Pauling whose Barters Hill and Silvergrove ran well in defeat at the Festival last week.
This 2m 2f trip on a big galloping track might stretch his stamina but Nico de Boinville keeps the ride and a check of the market is advised to see if there is stable confidence.
In the finale Somerset Jem and Get Involved are respected but I thought Cailleach Annie (5.15) looked well-handicapped and was a possible improver on her handicap debut. The selection was a winner between the flags and has run with considerable promise on both starts over timber to date; lightly-raced she is open to improvement now stepped up in trip and gets the each way vote.
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