_edited.png)
13:45 Exeter
Trelawne goes into this as market favourite at the time of writing having won at Exeter on his rules debut winning by 18 lengths last month. Trelawne goes up in the weights for that win and probably up against better opposition today than last time out not sure if he will get his own way.
Paul Nicholls yard is in much better shape than it was last month and Flemenstide clearly has a chance. Has won a bumper race at this course so you know he will handle the track of Exeter and has started life to hurdling quite well winning once and finishing 2nd in his other race.
Blackjack Magic has a 12-pound penalty and it's hard to make a case for him to be involved with such a lofty penalty. However, has been in good form winning 2 of his last 6 races. Just A Dime Has won 2 point-to-point races over in Ireland and makes his debut for his new trainer. Hard to tell what the point-to-point form so perhaps the market will be telling.
My selection though is Earth Lord. Earth Lord has been very consistent and bar one race this season (where he simply was in a too good class race for him). He hasn't run a bad race. Trip is an unknown but Earth Lord has some good battling qualities and is a bit more race experienced than some of his rivals today. Which could stand him well today with the new trip which he should be able to handle.
EARTH LORD (WIN)
14:40 Leicester
An opening looking class 3 handicap chase and all 5 have a shout in this race so it could be a tight finish at the end of the race.
Outsider of the 5 Yccs Portocervo has been very consistent hasn't been out of the top 3 all season so far in his 5 races. Has won from a break in the past so the fact he hasn't run for near 150 days could be seen as a plus.
Torigini and Cut The Mustard are course and distance winners here in recent times this season. Cut The Mustard is back up 2 pounds for his win at Leicester last time out. However, he may just get found out by one of the younger horses he is up against today.
The Edgar Wallace has really improved since his wind operation where he has won 2 from 2 since the wind operation. Hasn't been seen since November but won well on his chase debut at Market Rasen. Looks the type of horse where there is still plenty of improvement to come potentially for Kim Bailey horse and you can see why he is one of the favourites here.
My selection though is Jacamar. Trainer Milton Harris is having a great season and already has a record number of wins this season for the yard. Had a double yesterday at Wincanton which shows the yard is bang in form. Jacamar himself won at Kempton on boxing day impressively and although the form figures in his last two races show 5th and 5th. This has been in much classier races. than he has been in this season. Back down in this class this is much calmer waters for Jacamar and clearly goes here with a strong chance.
JACAMAR (WIN) written by Luke Tucker