Good ground is the order of the day at Wetherby this afternoon for their seven-race card and William Of Orange (3.25) will appreciate the underfoot conditions having had a two-month break since finishing fifth of fifteen at Catterick last time in first-time cheek-pieces.
The selection was rated 90 on the flat for Sir Mark Prescott and did run his best race over timber to date when runner up at today's west Yorkshire track over two miles back in December. This additional half mile should suit given he finished runner up over two miles on the flat at York less than two years ago and the hope is that he is freshened him up after his mini-break.
I hope to see Powerful Symbol (4.00) improve for the return to a left-hand track having jumped slightly out to the left when runner up at Leicester last time. The selection had previously unseated his jockey when clear at Catterick and a tongue-tie is fitted for the first time this afternoon. The selection is 8/1 in the tissue with BetVictor and he can reward each way support.
At Exeter Clan Des Obeaux (3.40) has Drumlee Sunset to beat in a virtual match for the £11,000 Novices' Chase. The form of his second to Whisper at Cheltenham on New Year's Day was given a boost when the winner just missed out in a photo finish in the RSA Chase to stablemate Might Bite and his subsequent disappointing run at Sandown was at a time when the Paul Nicholls yard were not firing on all cylinders. I still think he could still be a top class chaser and hope to see him at Aintree or Punchestown if he scores this afternoon.
Today's better ground will suit Pithvier who was thankfully pulled out of a race on account of the soft ground at the weekend. That said I am not convinced he is a thorough stayer and is reluctantly- overlooked unless the market speaks in his favour.
Kap Jazz is chasing a hat-trick and was value for more than the official two lengths margin when scoring at Ludlow earlier in the month from a 6lbs lower mark. He looks sure to run well but he is likely to be a skinny price and three miles, right-handed on good ground is the ideal scenario for veteran Court By Surprise (4.15) who can show he is no back number for Emma Lavelle whose yard landed a nice touch at Uttoxeter at the weekend with Fortunate George.
I also expect to see a return to form on this sound surface from Tjongejonge who is only 5lbs higher than when scoring at Market Rasen back in November. I feel we can put a line through his subsequent runs on ground softer than ideal.
Knight Ofthe Realm has failed to complete in five of his last six starts but he was going well when coming down four out at Wincanton last time and is very well handicapped on his best form. A C&D winner off a 7lbs higher mark it would be no surprise if he bounced back to form.
The vote, however, goes to Kaparde King (4.50) who has won both recent starts going right-handed and has the assistance of Sam Twiston-Davies for the first time later today. The selection is only six, lightly-raced and remains open to further improvement.
At Clonmel The Paparazzi Kid showed he was no back number when scoring at Wexford four days ago but those exertions could easily take their toll and Val De Ferbet (4.02) gets the vote for Andrew McNamara and Gold Cup winning jockey Robbie Power.
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