If the weather forecast proves correct and the rain arrives in time for Exeter Racecourse’s meeting today, the supremely talented Aux Petit Soins could make his chasing debut in the RGB Building Supplies Novices’ Chase ridden by Nick Scholfield.
The grey won the 2015 Coral Cup at Cheltenham on his British debut, beating the subsequent Grade One-winning chaser Zabena. He had just one start last season in the World Hurdle where he ran well for a long way.The card opens with the Open Meeting Betting 188Bet Handicap Hurdle where the Dr Richard Newland-trained Desert Sensation may get back on the winning trail. He won over an extended three miles at Fontwell on October 1 and then was probably too keen at Aintree three weeks later where he was fifth.
Mighty Leader and Mother Meldrum meet each other again, this time over fences, in the RGB Building Supplies Handicap Chase on exactly the same terms as last week when the former was the four lengths victor. Moorlands George has been put up 4lb for his win at Newton Abbot and comes into it, if there’s enough rain, and Mister Dick may make amends for a fall at Wetherby last time out.
Easy Street is 5lb better off than when he was defeated by Fact of the Matter at the course last month and could well turn the tables in the 188Bet.co.uk Chase, while the Nicky Henderson-trained Laurium should improve for his run at Hereford last week where he finished 19 lengths in third behind Emerging Force. However, the money is likely to be on Minelllacelebration who showed plenty of tenacity when winning over 3m1f at Aintree last month.
Swincombe Toby was highly tried in his first season hurdling, with placed efforts to his credit, but he is likely to have matured after a summer break and could get off to a winning start for new trainer Philip Hobbs. Unison has won twice on the flat this summer, but is 6lb higher than when he won a handicap hurdle at Ludlow in May.
Borak was beaten a short head at Wincanton a couple of weeks ago so is also in the reckoning.
Alan King saddles Passmore in the Grand Slam of Darts at 188Bet Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and the four-year-old has the best form on offer having finished second to Tearsofclewbay at Worcester last month.
Anchor Man has his first start over hurdles in the 188Bet.co.uk Novices’ Hurdle for Paul Nicholls having finished second in an Irish point-to-point.
