There’s an excellent seven-race card at Exeter where Girly Girl (2.20) can score for the in-form team of Dan and Harry Skelton in the opening Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. The selection must give Warren Greatrex‘s Pennywell 7lb but should be suited by the drop back to the minimum trip and will likely bid to make every yard a winning one.
The Greatrex yard can gain immediate compensation with Hannah’s Princess (2.50) in the following Mares’ Handicap Hurdle over an extended two and a quarter miles. The selection shed the maiden tag at the fourth time of asking over timber last term and was well-backed to follow-up on her handicap debut from a mark of 120 in a competitive listed hurdle at Newbury. The form of that effort has since been franked and whilst disappointing on her seasonal debut at Doncaster in November remains well-treated to score from a mark of 125 under Gavin Sheehan.
The feature Devon National looks a competitive renewal on paper with Colin Tizzard’s Wizards Bridge heading the weights, and respected having scored at the track in similarly conditions earlier in the campaign. A horse that similarly boasts excellent form on heavy ground is Martin Keighley’s Merlin’s Wish (3.55) and was pulled-up in the corresponding contest last year. The 11-y-o has had the benefit of a run this time around and after last month’s pipe-opener should strip fitter to go close under Ian Popham. The handicapper has dropped him 8lb since disappointing in the contest 12 months ago but the revised mark, coupled with first-time cheek-pieces, should see him be much more competitive.
Tom O’Brien replaces Richard Johnson in the plate aboard Three Faces West (4.25) with Philip Hobbs’ recent recruit a confident selection to land the 3m Novices’ Handicap Chase. The selection built on the promise shown on his debut for the Hobbs yard earlier in the campaign when backed like a good thing on his debut over fences last time out over two and a half miles at Huntingdon and, after being an unfortunate runner-up that day, can gain compensation and go one better now stepping up in trip.
Alan King’s Ardamir joined his trio of Sceau Royal (6/1), Gibralfaro (7/1), and Who Dares Win (12/1) as possibles for next month’s Triumph Hurdle and was cut to 33/1 (from 66s) with BetVictor for G1 Juvenile Hurdle success at next month’s Cheltenham Festival. His filly Forgiving Glance (2.40) may not be up to top-level company just yet however, but should be good enough to shed the maiden tag at Warwick and is a comfortable selection to score under Denis O’Regan. The 4-y-o hasn’t been sighted since finishing down the field in G1 company at Chepstow and that, coupled with her runner-up efforts at Leicester and Aintree earlier in the campaign, sees her set an impressive standard that is tough to beat.
Anthony Honeyball’s hat-trick seeking As De Fer is respected after impressive victories in similar ground earlier in the campaign but will have it all to do from a 19lb higher mark. Dan Skelton‘s What a Good Night is similarly 6lb higher than scoring at Bangor in December and preference lies instead with Venetia Williams’ Take the Mick (4.15) in the Handicap Chase over an extended three miles. The selection hasn’t won over fences in over 13 months but has placed in his last three starts and remains well-treated to go close under Aidan Coleman.
Warwick have put up £30,000 for the feature 2m 4f Handicap Chase with Ben Case’s Deep Trouble (3.45) chanced under Kielan Woods. The selection goes handicapping for the first time over the larger obstacles and was going well prior to unseating Daryl Jacob at the 10th fence in Sunday’s Novices’ Chase at Market Rasen. The selection was rated as high as 140 over timber but is bred to be even better over the larger obstacles and must go close on the pick of his hurdles form.
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