Eight races at Exeter's penultimate meeting of the season
Eight races at Exeter’s penultimate meeting of the season today begin with the first division of the 188Bet Handicap Hurdle where Victor Dartnall’s good run of form could continue with Ambion Lane.
The well bred eight-year-old has pulled up on his last three starts but drying ground could see a turnaround in his fortunes, with the Jeremy Scott-trained Gonnabegood also likely to benefit from better going, while the Laura Young-trained Admiral Blake was running a big race at Taunton last month until falling two from home. If he’s not the worse for that, and reproduces that same form, he should go well.
In the second division the Nigel Hawke-trained Point N Shoot ran a fine race in defeat at the course earlier this month when he was beaten by Jully De Buxy with Tara Bell another who has been running consistently well this season.
The Jack Barber-trained Darling Maltaiz is likely to start a warm favourite for the Bet and Watch at 188Bet Maiden Hurdle given he’s trained by Paul Nicholls in what looks like a fairly week race, while the Jeremy Scott-trained L’Auberge Du Bois ran a good enough race in defeat last time at Wincanton where he was beaten by the smart performer Blu Cavalier.
Five go in the two miles seven furlongs novices’ hurdle including course winner Golden Sunrise who is stepped up in trip and Dancing Shadow who returns to the smaller obstacles after a couple of runs over fences. Philip Hobbs has seen a recent return to form and he saddles Vodka All The Way, second on his last two starts.
Don’t Mind The Boys has run consistently well all season and lines up in the three mile novices’ limited handicap chase. He won last time out on heavy ground at Towcester and has been steadily climbed up the weights. If that starts to tell Leith Hill Lad could add to his recent win at Kempton where he stayed on well to won by a length and a quarter.
In the two miles one and a half furlongs handicap chase, Kim Bailey saddles Trojan Star, a beaten favourite last time out at Leicester where he raced a shade too keen. With Harry Cobden likely to bring the best out of him, if he settles today he could come into the reckoning.
In the Goffs Spring Sales P2P Bumper Kootenay River looks the one to beat having easily won a point-to-point at Howick in March.
Concluding the card is the Totnes And Bridgetown Racing Club Novices' Hunters' Chase and Herbert Park will be a warm order to add to his success at Great Trethew. He was a non-runner at the course last week due to the heavy ground, but conditions should suit today.
Racing concludes at Exeter for the season on May 8 with Heavitree Brewery Ladies’ Night.
