Hi all,
There’s a Class 2 handicap chase at Warwick which looks interesting, but that track will have to pass a morning inspection to see if racing can go ahead. At Exeter it’s the marathon Devon National that’s the highlight of a seven-race card.
Exeter
4:20 – The 3m 6 ½ f always takes some getting around here and given the ground is likely to be the on heavy side its sure to provide an even greater stamina test than normal.
Fourteen handicap chasers are set to go to post for this years Devon National and I suspect not many will finish the race.
Dawson City comes into the race looking for hat trick after wins in the race in 2018 & 2019. Can race off the same mark as 12 months ago. Good to soft last years but the 11-year-old has won on soft and heavy so the going shouldn’t be a problem. Relishes a stamina test and has no doubt been trained for the race again. Claims are there for all to see.
Vinnie Lewis won the Sussex National on heavy ground in January 2018. Hasn’t reached that level of form since but was a good second at Sandown last March, off 3lb higher. Ran like the race was needed on his seasonal reappearance in the Durham National in October but took a step back when only 5th of 11 in the Sussex National 47-days ago. Capable of going close off this mark if stepping on his recent form.
Belle Empress won over C&D two starts back before finishing 4th in the Sussex National return to venue will be in the mare’s favour but is 6lb higher than for her last win.
Ice Cool Champs broke his maiden tag over fences at the 5th attempt when winning a soft ground Class 4 handicap chase at Wetherby last month. That was the 9-year-old’s first start since switching to the Kerry Lee yard. Up 10lb in a better race and steps up markedly in distance so a few questions to answer. A sound jumper of a fence. He goes well on soft and heavy ground and on pedigree should be suited by marathon trips.
One Of Us won over C&D in April and also won at Fontwell in November. Returned from a 74-day break and could have been expected to run a lot better than he did at Wincanton last time. Maybe he found things happening to quick over 3m 1f that day and it’s worth noting the 8-year-old is 2 wins from 2 runs when racing 3m 3 ½ f+.
Verdict: This has the makings of a good race. Dawson City has a great chance of a race hat trick but the 4/1 available looks skinny enough. One Of Us should do better back up in distance. Vinnie Lewis is on a winning mark if bouncing back to something like his best. Last time out Wetherby winner Ice Cool Champs looks the type to improve for a marathon trip in the mud.
1pt win – Ice Cool Champs – 7/1 @ Bet365
0.5pt each way – Vinnie Lewis – 14/1 @ Bet365
Warwick
4:40 – Springtown Lake was a good secondat Chepstow 56-days ago. The 8-year-old is 2lb blow his last winning mark and goes well on heavy ground. Looks capable of winning a race off his present mark.
Cloudy Glen remains a handicap chaser on the upgrade. Beat one rival at Haydock three starts back before running out at the first in a valuable novices’ handicap chase at Cheltenham on Trials Day. Ran much better when 2nd of 10 at Sandown 20-days ago. Drop back from 3m looks a positive 4 wins from 10 runs 6 placed when racing up to 2m 4f, compared to 0 wins from 6 runs 2 placed beyond that distance. Trainer Venetia Williams is among the winners and Cloudy Glen will take some beating here.
Storm Control looked a handicap chaser on the upgrade when making all to win on soft ground at Doncaster in December but then ran no sort of race at Wetherby 29-days ago. Trainer felt the ground was too tacky for the 7-year-old at Wetherby. Given his age he is open to more improvement over fences but how he handles today’s going is anyone’s guess.
Dan Skelton saddles three of the ten declared runners. His best chance could be Shannon Bridge who won a Class 3 novices handicap chase at Uttoxeter on heavy ground 52-days ago. Up 5lb for that success and has a chance in a better race with the ground very much in his favour.
Verdict: Cloudy Glen can provide trainer Venetia Williams with another winner. Springtown Lake is down to below his last winning mark and looked back to his best at Chepstow last time.
1pt win – Cloudy Glen – 3/1 @ Bet365 & Betway
Cheers
John