Exeter 3.33 - Handicap Hurdle - Class 2 - 2 miles 7 furlongs - 12 run - Good to Soft

 

At the top end of the market we have Jericko Du Reponet whose wheels have fallen off recently but who does come from a 3 mile P2P background and both Keable and Strackan who are recent winners, upped in Class with penalties. Harsh comes from Ireland and is another upped in trip. 

 

This will be genuine stamina test and 4 of the 12 caught my eye, Lossiemouth ran very well in November off a 3 year absence and can't be discounted, Catch Him Derry for the Skeltons ended up as my 3rd best rated but the handicap mark and conditions don't look ideal, although he would come in to play if either selection was a non-runner.

 

PHANTOMOFTHEPOINTS is progressing nicely for David Pipe and looks to be full of stamina, still on a workable mark and no concerns re the conditions on evidence so far. HITITI is a big price but was runner up in this race last year in heavy ground, has been runner up in a Chase here too so clearly likes the Course and looks very good each way value in these conditions off a mark of 135 (Robin)

 

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Navan 4.20 Handicap Chase - 3 miles - 14 run - Soft >Heavy

 

Verdant Pace at 4/1 would be vulnerable in these conditions and Salamino at 5/1 has form figures of PP2F the runner up effort was over course and Distance off a mark of 114 at 80/1, I'm not convinced that wasn't a blip and neither am I convinced about the overall form of the race.

 

Wine An Dine runs for Elliott but the trip has to be a concern on a Flat pedigree, Harveys Quay is far from a no-hoper, can pop up and is 4th rated of the 14 and would be a player if we have a non runner. Rusheen has shown glimpses but probably just needs a good solid clear round of jumping before investing.

 

My 3rd rated is Wellnachts and at an early 25/1 if you want to play enhanced places feel free to do so, he's had a run and his win at Down Royal last year off a mark of 97 very much went in my notebook at the time. 

 

My top pair though are CLONMEEN who gets his ground for the first time this season and who could be a stone better as a result, I really do like this one and will be very disappointed if he doesn't win this. WHATEY'S QUEST just got the nod over Wellnachts an unlucky fall last time after a win previously and will go close if getting this 3 mile trip (Sean)

 

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Chepstow 4.30 - Handicap Hurdle - class 5 - 2 miles 7 and 1/2 furlongs - 15 run - Soft

 

Pipers Cross would be win saver material at around 9/4 if you wish but I want to look at others far more competitively priced whilst second favourite Pride Of paris may clearly need the run off a 10 month break. River Voyage a 3 mile P2P winner upped in trip would have to be classed as a potential danger here as is I'm A Starman, very capable of popping up in a race like this even off top weight and 4th rated overall.

 

I really fancy both LIGHTONTHEWING who suddenly sparked on 4th and 5th runs last season and who has had 3 quiet runs but come back down the handicap as a result and WILLIAM PHILO a Course and Distance 3rd last season off a mark of 92 and a series of placed and good runs off that sort of mark in these soft and heavy conditions, he looks absolutely primed to me off a mark of 83!. At bigger odds even is TO BE SURE and after an injury break and 2 runs back, hard to ignore a Ffos Llas win off a mark of 100 in these conditions a few years back making a declining mark of 93 with a 5lbs claimer suggest that he could be a serious proposition again very soon and one to TRACK! Advisor)

 

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TRACKER

 

Navan 3.12 Coffeys Forge

Chepstow 3.55 Hi Riko

Chepstow 4.30 Gata Ban