The prevailing good to firm ground has led to a couple of two-runner events at Exeter this afternoon and, having been at the Devon track for last Tuesday’s card, I can certainly vouch for the fact that the ground will be lightning fast.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies team could be in better form but Triumph Davis (2.30) could be well treated in the handicap hurdle. The mare won a fast ground bumper at Limerick back in July and looks to have been laid out for a summer campaign; she has bits of form which suggest she could be well handicapped off her current mark and Jamie Bargary takes off a valuable 7lbs.
At Wexford the racecourse executive are trialling running the races left-handed rather than right-handed for the first time and they have a most competitive card for the switch. Rocky Wednesday has his quirks but also some ability but I like the chances of Dushrembrandt (4.30) who returned from a break to score at Tramore last week and is taken to follow up in the novice chase.
Set The Trend (1.40) blundered his chance away two out at Stratford last time having scored at Ludlow previously and he is taken to land the opener back at the Shropshire track this afternoon. Upsanddowns is likely to make it a decent gallop but I see him as more of a chaser for next season and one to keep on the right side of when he goes over the larger obstacles.
Sublime Talent (2.10) has been raised 5lbs for scoring at Chepstow (soft) last time and might be good enough to follow up back on quick ground. The selection was only beaten half-a-length by Hollow Penny when that runner was rated 124 back in August and the winner is now rated 20lbs higher. A repetition of that effort might be good enough for the combination of Evan Williams and Paul Maloney.
The Dan Skelton stable are in cracking form and Guiding George looks sure to go well in the feature but Tom George also has his string in rude health and Kilbree Kid (2.40) catches the eye returning from a near six-month lay off in a competitive event. Last seen finishing third in the Durham National behind National sixth Royale Knight back in October, the selection missed the winter ground and this dual winning point-to-pointer looks sure to run well.
Henry Daly likes to have runners at his local track and had a welcome winner at Bangor at the weekend. He saddles Queen Spud (3.10) in the handicap hurdle and the mare ran a cracker over C&D back in October from a 2lb higher mark. That was a mares’ only event but it looked a decent contest and she is another who has been freshened up over the winter.
At Kempton Bold (2.50) was been a beaten favourite in both starts as a juvenile but soft ground would not have suited this son of Oasis Dream on either occasion. Jimmy Fortune takes over this afternoon in what is his only booked ride of the day for Roger Charlton. The Hannon newcomer Prefect is worth a check of the market but Bold can make it third time lucky.
A more tentative selection is Four Nations (4.55) who looks very well handicapped on his best flat form and returns from a three month lay-off for George Baker. There is no guaranteed front-runner in the race which is a concern and the first-time visor he wore at Lingfield in January is discarded, but he has shown enough to suggest he retains much of his old ability and can reward each way support.
The grey Bowsers Bold doesn’t find much off the bridle but one of these days everything will fall right for the grey although he does remain a maiden after fifteen starts.
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