Steve Ryder is back with three selections for today's action.
12:15 Doncaster
This looks a competitive 0-100 handicap hurdle but preference goes to the Donald McCain trained BIRD ON THE WIRE (best priced at 11/2) who is fitted with first time blinkers here. The eight-year-old is only 1-21 under rules in his career but interestingly that victory came in this race last year off a mark of 94.
Since that victory, he has run well to finish placed at Sedgefield, Hexham twice, Worcester and Bangor before finishing 3rd over this course and distance in November following an 80 day break. He was only beaten two lengths that day off a mark of 100 under 3lb claimer William Maggs and he runs here off only 1lb higher under the same rider. Blinkers will hopefully bring about a bit of improvement and he is expected to run well with up to six places available.
13:00 Exeter
The Fergal O’Brien trained IMPERIAL STORM (best priced at 11/8) was an impressive winner on his handicap debut last time and he should prove hard to beat off a 5lb higher mark. The lightly raced seven-year-old ran well on his first two starts over hurdles over inadequate trips before relishing the step up to 3 miles on his handicap debut last time.
That victory came off a mark of 115 under 7lb claimer Jack Hogan and that rider retains the ride in this race today. The handicapper has only raised Imperial Storm 4lbs and he should prove hard to beat off that mark against rivals from stables who are struggling for recent form.
14:10 Exeter
Many of the horses in this 0-100 handicap hurdle are struggling for recent form but that isn’t the case for the Nigel Hawke trained THE IMPOSTER (best priced at 9/4) who is on a four-timer in this race. The six-year-old finished 3rd on his reappearance at Ffos Las before winning at Lingfield over 2m3f in November off a mark of 76. He followed up on heavy ground with an impressive victory at Lingfield over 2m7f off a mark of 80 before winning at Wetherby in December off a mark of 87.
The handicapper has raised The Imposter 5lbs for his latest victory but he will no doubt appreciate the return to heavy ground here. Tom Buckley has developed a good relationship with the horse and I expect them to prove hard to beat here.
