Andy Holding is back with three tips for today's action.
13:50 Exeter
LEISSIERES EXPRESS (best price 9/2) ran a mighty race on his chase debut at Wincanton 22 days ago and with the firm belief that today’s stiffer track will play even more into his strengths, Jermey Scott’s inmate can go one place better.
Ultimately disappointing over hurdles after several promising performances here and there, the six-year-old was fancied in many quarters to leave his patchy form behind at the West Country venue and in what looked quite a competitive race for the grade, he justified the money in his direction by chasing home the heavily backed Kraqueline.
Nicely clear of the remainder, the son of Telescope marked himself down a winner in waiting of a similar event and despite today’s contest being equally competitive on paper, he has enough quality to more than hold his own.
15:00 Exeter
The sight of a Gavin Cromwell-trained mare in a race of this nature (Law Ella) is enough to put the wind up any of his UK counterparts but whether the Irish raider can cope with LADY ADARE (best price 5/2), if repeating her top-class form at Wincanton last time, is open to question.
A convincing winner on chase debut at Worcester, beating a strong stayer at the trip, Harry Fry’s inmate was immediately upped in class to Grade 2 level at the west country track just over a week ago and although she ultimately came up a little short on the day, there was certainly no disgrace in chasing home the potentially top-class recruit Knapper’s Hill.
As you would expect from a race of that nature, the time figure was extremely favourable and with today’s stiff track and ideal ground two components that will provide her with the perfect platform to run to maximum capacity, the classy mare can capture her first notable prize over fences.
15:30 Exeter
TOP OF THE BILL (best price 14/1) found 2m3f an insufficient test in quite a hot race for the grade at Chepstow on his chase debut and now stepping up to a trip more in-keeping with his profile, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ gelding can easily outrun his odds with that all-important experience under his belt.
A useful 123-rated hurdler, the seven-year-old faced a baptism of fire when pitched into an extremely strong novices’ handicap at the Welsh track last month and unsurprisingly for a horse who wants three miles, he languished in the rear for the entire contest.
He did, however, show signs that he was beginning to warm to the task towards the backend of the race and it’s that work in the final half a mile which bodes well for the future. On the three times he has raced over today’s trip he has managed to win twice and with one of those victories coming at Haldon Hill, a return to the scene of that display must go down as a positive.
