Looking back at yesterday's early racing and I must say I wouldn't be rushing to back Cosmeapolitan at 25/1 with BetVictor for the Triumph Hurdle (unchanged) in the light of a workmanlike winning debut at Newbury.
At Exeter this afternoon there is a fascinating three-runner Graduation Chase over the best part of two-and-a-quarter-miles which sees the seasonal reappearance of L'Ami Serge who began to show a tendency to jump out to his left when last seen in the spring.
With that in mind I just favour the chances of Le Prezien (2.00) despite the fact that he would be receiving an additional 3lbs today if this were a handicap. The selection ran a very promising chase debut when second at Uttoxeter and the winner, Charbel, gave the brilliant Altior plenty to think about at Sandown last time in the Grade One Henry VII Stakes.
The selection has subsequently won a Cheltenham Grade 2 over the minimum trip and this additional quarter mile will suit; Barry Geraghty comes over for the ride on a horse who is currently 16/1 with BetVictor for the JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Tagrita is likely to go off all the rage for the Mares Novices' Chase having won at Huntingdon on debut but she must give 6lbs this time to Kim Bailey's Sainte Ladylime (1.30) who was going as well as anything when coming down in that race last month. The selection won three times over timber and must go close if her fencing improves.
I'm looking forward to the British debut of Give Me A Copper (3.10) who was sold for £270,000 back in April at Aintree's horses-in-training sales following a hugely impressive win in a Cork Bumper the previous month when trained by Donal Coffey. The 6-year-old has gone to the stable of champion trainer Paul Nicholls and connections look to have found an ideal starting point.
I know connections of Some Finish (2.45) were hoping for soft ground at Towcester dropping back in trip having finished runner up here last month off this mark over slightly further. The selection must go right-handed to be seen at his best and he has been left on the same mark as last time. If he gets a soft lead he will be hard to peg back and he gets on very well with regular pilot Charlie Poste.
Duke Arcadio (12.40) has been raised 3lbs since his chase debut when finishing runner up in a decent Doncaster race last month when he looked all over the winner before running out of petrol over 3m. The slight drop back in trip should suit today and this Irish p-t-p winner can go one better; don't be surprised if jockey Leighton Aspell makes it a decent test at the trip.
Umberto D'Olivate made all at Exeter on his reappearance and must go close from an 8lbs higher mark but Yanmare (1.40) is a progressive stayer who should appreciate this stiff track and can land the hat-trick despite being 12lbs higher than when scoring at Warwick last time. The 6-year-old takes plenty of stoking up in his races, and jockey Jamie Bargary will certainly earn his fee, but he should have the race run to suit and will be hard to beat if he is in contention at the foot of the Towcester hill.
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