13:05 Exeter

CHAMPAGNE COURT (best price 8-1) and DEEPER BLUE (best price 7-2) look the two to concentrate upon in the Feeling Festive Handicap Hurdle. 

The former, trained by Jeremy Scott, has some useful form in his back catalogue and shaped encouragingly back off his lower hurdles mark after six months off when runner-up on his penultimate outing, where the front pair pulled clear of the rest. He didn’t do a bad job off top-weight last time when giving another good account of himself and he looks pretty well-treated off an unchanged with forecast conditions no problem for him. He has the form in the locker to make an impact in this grade so is certainly one for the each-way shortlist here. 

The latter, trained by Harry Fry, looked as though he’d appreciate a switch to obstacles having shown a lot of promise in a pair of bumpers and he duly left his hurdles debut behind when running a cracker behind a high-class prospect at Chepstow in October. His opening handicap mark of 122 looks pretty lenient on that basis and, with Lorcan Murtagh claiming a valuable three-pounds, he is a major each-way player under suitable conditions. 

Champagne Court - 0.5pts e/w @ 8/1
Deeper Blue - 1pt @ 7/2

13:15 Ffos Las

A case can be made for quite a few of these and, although he has to overcome a long absence, SOUTHERN SAM (best price 4-1) makes plenty of each-way appeal. 

He looked a very nice staying prospect two seasons ago, where he placed three times behind some lovely horses before running a blinder to finish fifth in the Grade Three National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final on deep ground. He then justified cramped odds when scoring next-time-out and wasn’t disgraced on chase debut, taking third at Exeter in a stronger event than today’s assignment. His absence of 764 would be a minor caveat but, otherwise, his form is head and shoulder above what anything else has achieved in this race. He’ll love conditions, drops in grade, has had his mark reduced a couple of pounds and could make a bold bid under Harry Bannister. 

Southern Sam - 0.5pts e/w @ 4/1

13:40 Exeter

SUB LIEUTENANT (best price 66-1) is a bit of speculative each-way shout but goes well on decent ground and has become dangerously well-treated for current connections despite his advancing years. He’s spent nearly the whole of his career competing at a higher level so will find the ease into the grade for the first time a lot more to his liking. It was only last year that he finished second to a Grade One winner in Ireland before running admirably to finish fourth in a pair of listed handicaps at Ascot under similar conditions. Those fair efforts were from marks of 146 and 147 and he’s down to a mark of 126 following two decent displays in two stronger events than this earlier in the season. Tabitha Worsley can offset his mark further, too, claiming five-pounds and her mount could surprise a few at double-figure digits with five places widely on offer. 

I’m also interested in bottom-weight DE YOUNG WARRIOR (best price 25-1), who showed a good level of ability over hurdles last term and has the size, scope and potential to be an even better chaser for Jeremy Scott. I have liked the progression he’s made without getting his head in front of late, including when staying on powerfully to finish third when last spotted. He’s pitched into a tough race for his chase debut but has no weight on his back and, with a sufficient round of jumping, the lightly-raced eight-year-old could have a say in the outcome with five places widely available. 

Sub Lieutenant - 0.5pts e/w @ 66/1
De Young Warrior - 0.5pts e/w @ 25/1