Victor’s Sunday Preview – February 11th 2024

Hi all,

A good card at Navan this afternoon with two Grade 2 contests the feature contests of a seven-race card. There’s Premier Racing at Exeter and it’s an excellent card for a Sunday.

I’m going to start this preview at Navan.

Navan

There are three short-priced favourites for the Navan feature races. I think two of them look strong but if you’re going for a multiple, I would be wary of the third.

2:15 – Apple’s Jade Mares Novice Hurdle (Listed Race) – 2m 5f

Brighterdaysahead unbeaten under rules has won both her starts over hurdles and she’s an odds-on favourite here. Another win here and she will be close to favouritism for the Dawn Run Mares Novices Hurdle at the Festival. Pastorale stepped up on a low-key stable debut when a 4-length 3rd of 9 in a Listed race at Thurles last time. The step up in trip should suit the 5-year-old and she could prove the biggest rival to the favourite, but I will be disappointed if Brighterdaysahead doesn’t prove far too good for her five rivals.

2:45 – William Hill Boyne Hurdle (Grade 2) – 2m 5f

Favourite Blazing Khal won this race last year after 428-day layoff and returns from a 332-day absence on Sunday. The ground was much better 12 months ago and whilst he’s got winning form on heavy ground, I’m not sure he wants it as testing this on his seasonal return. If he’s fit enough, he probably wins but I would rather be a layer than a backer. Ashdale Bob was beaten a head in this race two years ago. Twice a winner around here, he doesn’t really stay 3m and isn’t the most reliable but the drop back to 2m 5f is a good move.

3:45 – William Hill Ten Up Novice Chase (Grade 2) – 3m

Nick Rockett got off the mark at the second attempt over fences at Fairyhouse (2m 5 ½ f) on New Year’s Day. He’s open to further improvement for the step up to 3m and the one to beat. Favori De Champdou must give his four rivals 5lb after a win in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown in November. He would be in the mix of reproducing his Punchestown form but needs to bounce back from a poor run in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Exeter

It’s an excellent Sunday card at Exeter and I have had a look at three of the races.

3:35 – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 2) – 2m 7f

Goshhowposh returned from a 10-month absence to win over C&D in October. Back to winning ways in a Pertemps Qualifier at Wincanton on Boxing Day. He’s up 6lb for his latest success but is the one horse in the line-up who is capable of better. Needs to win this to get into the Final.

Hititi appreciated a return to the smaller obstacles last year winning his last three starts of the season. A dual course winner he’s improved to produce career bests on his last two starts including a good second at Plumpton 35 days ago. Looks to have a big chance.

Third Wind won the series final at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival off today’s mark. Looked badly in need of the run when pulling up at Warwick after a 22-month layoff. We’ll know about his wellbeing after today’s race and he needs to finish in the first four to qualify for this year’s final.

Angels Breath has jumped much better over hurdles than fences since this season. He is handicapped to be competitive but 2m 7f on testing ground probably stretches his stamina. Mill Green in the same colours has no stamina concerns. Third in the Veterans Chase Final at Warwick last time, he’s just as effective over the smaller obstacles as he showed when third in last year’s Pertemps Final.

4:05 – Trustatrader You Can Trust Our Traders Mares’ Chase (Listed Race) – 3m

According to the bookies this is between Galia Des Liteaux and Malina Girl and I don’t disagree.

Galia Des Liteaux won a Mares Listed race (3m) at Market Rasen on her seasonal return and posted a career best when a ¾ length 2^nd of 14 in Warwick’s Classic Chase last time.  Looks the one to beat.

Malina Girl won a valuable handicap chase (3m 3 ½ f) at Cheltenham in November and looked set to follow up back there the following month when falling three out. Not in the same form when well beaten in the Classic Chase last time but can bounce back.

4:35 – Trustatrader.com Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Qualifier) (Leg 2 Of The Stayers’ Veterans’ Chase Series) (Class 2) – 3m

A competitive Veterans’ Series qualifier with fifteen declared to meet the starter. My three against the field are Ramses De Teillee, Lord Du Mesnil and Musical Slave.

Ramses De Teillee was back to form when a 19-length 4^th of 14 in the Classic Chase at Wrwick last month. It was an encouraging seasonal return from the 12-year-old who will appreciate the return to veterans’ company. Only third to Musical Slave in last year’s race but the ground was good that day and he needs more juice in the ground. Stablemate Remastered has been well out of form since winning at Kempton in December 2022 but he can’t be totally ruled out back down to his last winning mark.

Lord Du Mesnil is on a losing run that goes back to February 2021. On a handy mark but was 12 lengths behind Ramses De Teillee in the Classic Chase last time. Capable of a big run, on ground that will suit.

Musical Slave won this race last year from 2lb higher. Consistency has never been one of his strong points, but he does well around here and the second half of the season is when he seems to hit form. He’s 0-10, 1 place between October & December compared to 7-20 35%, 11 places between January & May. This will have been the plan, but better ground might be preferable.

Betting Advice:

Exeter

3:35 – Goshhowposh – 1pt win – 9/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and – Third Wind – 0.5pts win – 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

4:35 – Ramses De Teillee – 1pt win – 9/2 @ Bet365 and Lord Du Mesnil – 1pt win – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

Cheers

John