UK Horse Racing Tips: Exeter

First Class Return gained a first success over hurdles in a seller at Wetherby on Thursday and he is likely to be competitive along with Captain Jack, who has been running consistently well of late with a brace of placed efforts. The vote, though, goes to SYMPHORINE. Gary Moore's mare had shown promise in novice company earlier in the year and she could bounce back from her disappointing handicap efforts in a first-time visor.
Prediction : 1st Symphorine 2nd First Class Return 3rd Captain Jack

MARMALAID was no match for a useful mare of Fergal O'Brien's when returning from 10 months off at Plumpton last time and the manner of her finishing effort suggested the run was likely needed. Now making her handicap debut up in trip, the six-year-old is open to progression and is preferred over her stable companion Bombay Sapphire. Commander Of Ten is of interest following a wind operation, while others to note include Tikitov and King's Threshold.
Prediction : 1st Marmalaid 2nd Commander Of Ten 3rd Tikitov

GYENYAME ran out an easy winner when getting off the mark at Wincanton on his third attempt over hurdles and the five-year-old is entitled to improve again on his handicap debut. Gentle Connections remains open to progression dropped back in trip, having run up a sequence of four wins in the spring/early summer of last year, while General Medrano and Maclaine appeal most of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Gyenyame 2nd Gentle Connections 3rd General Medrano

SHUTTHEGATE was a decisive winner of his latest start at Chepstow in first-time blinkers when making his debut for Henry Oliver, and it would be no surprise if the nine-year-old were able to back that performance up. Eros nearly shed his maiden tag when beaten a neck at Warwick and he is capable of another decent showing. Professor Calculus may have been inconvenienced by a quick turnaround at Taunton under a penalty and is better judged on his success at the same venue a week earlier.
Prediction : 1st Shutthegate 2nd Eros 3rd Professor Calculus

Haldon Hill arrives on a hat-trick after wins over similar trips to this at Ffos Las and Taunton last month and should go well again. However, a 5lb rise for his latest success leaves him with no margin for error and slight preference is for KING TURGEON, form whom the penny dropped when scoring with authority over an extended 2m5f at Fontwell 34 days ago. He was doing his best work at the finish that day and this extra yardage could help him defy a 3lb rise. The Macon Lugnatic was second over further latest and completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st King Turgeon 2nd Haldon Hill 3rd The Macon Lugnatic

Come On Gruff went close over the extended 3m at Kempton when last seen in November but preference is for the match-fit IOUPY COLLONGES, who followed a facile maiden victory by chasing home a progressive sort on his handicap debut over 2m3f at Taunton last month. There should be more to come from the Paul Nicholls-trained five-year-old and he is taken to bounce back, although Gerico Ville has only gone up 2lb for his recent Plumpton success and rates a serious threat.
Prediction : 1st Ioupy Collonges 2nd Come On Gruff 3rd Gerico Ville

SHANTOU FLYER defied his advancing years with another fine effort when third in the hunters' chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Olive Nicholls has formed a good partnership with the 13-year-old gelding and the pair could be hard to beat now eased in class. Dandy Dan pulled up in that same contest last month but has claims on the pick of his form, while Singapore Saga built on a couple of point-to-point victories when scoring over this C&D 16 days ago and the eight-year-old can have her say again.
Prediction : 1st Shantou Flyer 2nd Dandy Dan 3rd Singapore Saga