UK Horse Racing Tips: Exeter

The dual Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Reserve Tank brings solid chase form to the table, having scored in Grade 2 company in November, but he could be vulnerable under a 5lb penalty. With that in mind, the preference is for MASTER TOMMYTUCKER, who was still in contention when falling four from home in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase on Boxing Day. The fact that he has failed to complete in two of his three chase starts has to be a concern but he has more than enough ability to win a race of this nature. Others who merit consideration are Champagne Mystery and Tidal Flow.
Prediction : 1st Master Tommytucker 2nd Reserve Tank 3rd Champagne Mystery

SHAKEM UP'ARRY was unlucky to bump into the high-class prospect Shishkin at Newbury last time but the son of Flemensfirth beat the rest of the field impressively and can get off the mark this afternoon. Eritage has to be of some interest having won at Taunton two starts ago but a 5lb penalty will make his life tougher today, while similar comments apply to Igor, Lieutenant Rocco and Arrivederci.
Prediction : 1st Shakem Uparry 2nd Eritage 3rd Lieutenant Rocco

WELSH SAINT has done nothing but improve during his short racing career to date and the form of his latest third at Cheltenham is rock solid, with the winner finishing third in Grade 2 company and the second dotting up since. He doesn't looks badly treated off 134 on his handicap debut and is fancied to play a leading role. Portrush Ted defied a lengthy absence to win easily at Ayr and he demands respect off a 7lb higher mark, while Soul Emotion and Kilbricken Storm are just a couple more with claims in a fiercely competitive event.
Prediction : 1st Welsh Saint 2nd Portrush Ted 3rd Soul Emotion

JEPECK is enjoying a fantastic season, winning three of his four starts and arguably producing a career-best performance at Sandown latest. He did extremely well to win that day after being hampered by a loose horse approaching the last, and looks capable of defying a further 7lb rise. Perfect Candidate, winner of this race in 2017, also arrives in cracking form, recording solid win and placed efforts at Haydock before Christmas, and he ought to show up well, with Sametegal and Missed Approach others to watch out for.
Prediction : 1st Jepeck 2nd Perfect Candidate 3rd Sametegal

Since settling for second on his jumping bow at Cheltenham, MASTER DEBONAIR hasn't looked back, winning at Ascot before returning there to scoop Grade 2 honours just before Christmas. If he can successfully concede weight here to Sporting John, he deserves his place among Colin Tizzard's strong novice team for the Festival because his Philip Hobbs-trained rival has yet to put a foot wrong and claimed the scalp of Tizzard's subsequent Grade 2 winner Harry Senior two starts ago. Sir Psycho seems a decent juvenile but, for now, may lack the physical presence of the main two.
Prediction : 1st Master Debonair 2nd Sporting John 3rd Sir Psycho

Grand National runner-up MAGIC OF LIGHT is such a good servant for Jessica Harrington, taking her travelling so well, and she landed an Ascot Grade 2 hurdle for the second season running last time. All roads lead back to Liverpool and she should prove a class apart from this lot. Atlanta Ablaze won this when it was transferred to Wincanton 12 months ago and has had wind surgery since struggling over an inadequate 2m4f at Aintree. The Bay Birch will also appreciate the return to 3m.
Prediction : 1st Magic Of Light 2nd Atlanta Ablaze 3rd The Bay Birch

There are plenty of bumper winners in TIME TO TINKER's pedigree and he showed plenty of the family talent with his encouraging debut second over C&D. He can go one better, possibly at the chief expense of Easy As That, who justified strong market support at Ffos Las, although the runner-up did nothing for the form next time. Mr Caplan showed promise on his Ayr introduction, while Boothill changed hands for a six-figure sum following a couple of point-to-point seconds and his trainer does well in NH Flat races here.
Prediction : 1st Time To Tinker 2nd Easy As That 3rd Boothill