The curtain draws ever nearer on another excellent season of National Hunt racing however it's not finished just yet and there's two excellent cards of jump racing this afternoon at Exeter and Carlisle respectively. There's equine stars at both tracks, spread acorns the length and breadth of the country, however Sgt Reckless (3.10) carries top billing and is unopposable in the 2m Novices' Chase for Mick Channon and Brian Hughes. You won't get rich backing him however the 8-y-o looks to have been well placed to pick up some excellent prize money and bounce back from his 6th place finish in last month's Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Hughes can double-up aboard Our Boy Ben (4.50) in the handicap chase over an extended two and a half miles with the Malcom Jefferson stable bouncing back to form in the spring. The stable tasted success at last week's Aintree festival thanks to Cyrus Darius bolting-up under Hughes in the G2 Novices' Hurdle on the Friday and whilst perhaps not quite of that ilk, Our Boy Ben looks well-handicapped to give another bold show. The selection is a half-brother to connections' terrific chaser According to Pete and ran with credit for a long way before tiring last time out when chasing home a well-backed ‘good thing' for the Skelton yard last time out at Sedgefield. The handicapper has relented; dropping the gelding a further 2lb and he can get his head in front from a career-low mark.
Bobs Lord Tara (3.45) can give weight and a beating to his eleven rivals in the Novices' Hurdle over an extended two miles. It looks a two-horse race with Donald McCain's progressive Gingili however, with the McCain-inmate making his debut over timber after tasting success in a brace of bumpers at Musselburgh under Jason Maguire. Noel Fehily replaces the injured Maguire in the plate however he looks set to play second fiddle to Alan Swinbank's charge, who was unfortunate to bump into one last time out at the track over two and a half miles. Prior to that the gelding was an emphatic scorer over course and distance when lowering the colours of Venetia Williams' exciting novice Burtons Well and the 5-y-o looks set to return to winning ways with Paul Moloney back doing the steering.
The form of Montoya's Son's success last time out at Newcastle looks some of the strongest handicap chase form in the north and Trust Thomas (3.50) should be able to frank that further front in the feature. Ian Hamilton's stable star has been unfortunate to bump into smart types at Newcastle, Ayr and Wetherby chasing home the likes of Ubaltique, Aye Well and the before mentioned Montoya's Son however that form looks strong and the 7-y-o can return to winning ways under regular partner, and excellent value for his 3lb claim, Tony Kelly.
Just four go to post for the feature two and a half miles handicap chase at Exeter where Worthy Award (4.10) looks set to make amends for a narrow defeat last time out at Southwell. The selection was returning from a break when chasing home David Bridgwater's Nomadic Storm, with the winner receiving an inspired ride from Tom Scudamore from the front. The selection has been raised 5lb for that effort but should be stripped fitter for the run and with the benefit of first-time head-gear can make amends and shed the maiden tag under rules at the 5th time of asking.
The handicap chase over an extended three and a quarter miles will take some getting with Adrenalin Flight (3.00) taken to relish the gruelling stamina test accordingly. The 9-y-o was successful at the track three starts back staying on strongly in the Devon Marathon back in December. He remains very well treated, despite a 7lb rise at the weights, and can give regular partner Andrew Thornton another winner drawing him ever-nearer to his landmark 1000th winner.
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