Hi all,
The best of the action in Britain today is at Exeter. Sadly, the feature race the Betway Haldon Gold Cup (3:35) has attracted just five runners. More on that later.
ITV4 are covering the best of the action from Exeter and Down Royal this afternoon. And of course, they have Breeders Cup Special on ITV3 this evening.
Inside today’s main piece you’ll find my thoughts on the best of the action on ITV and today’s betting advice is at the end of preview.
I’m not starting today’s preview at Exeter. Instead, I’m looking at the Down Royal feature the WKD Hurdle (Grade 2) (2:05).
Down Royal
Just the five runners for a race with €50,000 in guaranteed prize money. And with going being described as soft you can’t blame quick round for the small field. Gordon Elliott saddles in Pied Piper & Fil Dor. Both have an identical official rating of 147 and they are in the same ownership. Fil Dor is expected to go over fences this season and with Pied Piper having the benefit of recent run that just swings it in his direction for me.
It’s likely to be a good meeting for Gordon Elliott and Gevrey could easily follow up his recent soft ground Limerick success in the 2m ½ f handicap chase (2:40). However, I’m going to take him on with Alice Avril. The mare had Gevrey back in third when runner-up at Naas in January and is 14lb better off here. If she’s to roll after a 204-day layoff she should go close. Espion Du Chenet won this race last year off a much lower mark, but he’s won twice since, with his latest win coming at Punchestown in May off 4lb lower. The 8-year-old was never put into the race at Cork 19-days ago when returning from a 11 week layoff. He’ll be sharper here and given he won last year on soft ground he can’t be ruled out.
Exeter
Fingers crossed the rain has arrived at Exeter. The going on Thursday evening was being described as good, good to soft in places. The GoingStick is saying (6.6) which suggests its closer to good to soft. We shall find out tomorrow if that proves to be correct or not.
Betway Haldon Gold Cup (3:35)
Just the five runners but it’s a fascinating contest and you can make a good case for four of them
Third Time Lucki seems likely to go off favourite. A smart novice chaser last season winning three of six starts over fences. Seasonal return for the 7-year-old but he’s got a good record fresh and gets 15lb from top-weight Greaneteen. There are surely good races to be won with him this season and it could be today.
Paul Nicholls has saddled the winner of the Haldon Cup three times since 2015 and he’s got two of the five declared runners. Greaneteen and Dolos are his two representatives this year. The first named won this in 2020 but was only fourth last year. The Grade 1 winner might need the run again this year with the Tingle Creek very much on his agenda once again. The pick of his pair on this occasion could be Dolos. The 9-year-old is a useful handicap chaser at his best and was runner-up in the race in 2019, off 9lb higher.
War Lord form figures on seasonal return 121 so he shouldn’t lack for fitness on his seasonal reappearance. Today’s intermediate trip of 2m 1 ½ f could prove ideal for the 7-year-old and he looks on a good mark. Yard going well and he looks the one to beat.
Betway ‘Challenger’ Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Mares’ Hurdle Series Qualifier) (1:50)
The biggest field of the day on the Exeter card this afternoon.
Ma Belle Noire has shaped with promise in bumpers and hurdles including when a 4 ¾ length 2nd of 10. Stablemate Whisky Express isn’t discounted either. The 6-year-old got off the mark at the third attempt when winning at Newton Abbot (soft) in March. Open to improvement on handicap debut off what looks a workable mark.
The Height Of Fame won twice over hurdles in May and dead heated at Newton Abbot back from a 120-day layoff last time. In form but in a deeper race here and ease in the ground would be an unknown for her.
Martha Brae won this 12 months ago, off 4lb lower, and bids to do the same today. No problem with good to soft for her. This race looks tougher than last year’s contest but she’s likely to be in the shake up once more.
Bonnie Bresil looks to have been brought along with handicaps in mind. Three starts in novice races last season all came over around 2m and she’s bred to improve for the step up to 2m 5 ½ f. Trainer Henry Daly had a well backed handicap hurdle winner at Ludlow on Thursday which is another positive.
Betway ‘Future Stars’ Silver Bowl Novices’ Chase (2:25)
Another disappointing field with Just the three declared for this three mile novice chase. The only interesting thing about the race is seeing useful staying hurdler Thyme Hill make his debut over fences. He’ll be a very short price to make a winning debut over the larger obstacles given he’s officially rated 24lb higher than his nearest rival.
Betway ‘Challenger’ Stayers’ Handicap Chase (3:00)
Useful handicap hurdlers Master’s Legacy and Neon Moon make their debut over fences against more experienced chasers.
Master’s Legacy hails from a yard that has been successful three times in the race since 2012. The 7-year-old ran like the race was needed over hurdles at Chepstow last month and should strip fitter here. Trainer Philip Hobbs is struggling for winners, but his runners normally improve for their first runs back.
Neon Moon twice a winner on good ground should make up into a decent staying chaser. And he looks on a workable mark for his debut over the larger obstacles.
Sizeable Sam is a huge horse who should be suited by fences. However, he struggled on both starts when tried over the larger obstacles so far. The potential to do better remains and he’s respected.
Both St Erney’s career wins have come here including this race 12 months ago, from 5lb lower. He won this on his seasonal return last year and given the 11-year-old’s liking for C&D he’s one to be interested in.
Killer Kane seems likely to go off favourite. The 7-year-old made a good start to his chase career last season, winning two of his six starts. Just 4lb higher than when winning at Sandown in March. He’s unexposed over 3m and starts the new season off what looks a competitive mark.
Betting Advice:
Exeter
1:50 – Whisky Express – 1pt win – 8/1 @ Bet365 and Bonnie Bresil – 0.5pts win – 14/1 @ Bet365
3:00 – Killer Kane – 1pt win – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and St Erney – 1pt win – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:35 – Dolos – 1pt win – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Down Royal
2:40 – Alice Avril – 1pt win – 5/1 – Gen and Espion Du Chenet – 0.5pts win – 12/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John