Paul Ferguson has two selections from Exeter for us on Tuesday; Cue Card iat 2.50 and Hinterland at 3.20. Compare odds and bet.
It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if any of the big three pass the post in front in this afternoon’s feature Sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter but, given how well he goes fresh and with his stable in such good form, preference is for Cue Card (2:50) who can take this en route to a crack at the King George.
The 2010 Champion Bumper winner has won first time out in each of his three seasons racing and his form from last season is very solid indeed. Apart from unseating at Cheltenham, he won on debut at Chepstow, got within a short head of Bobs Worth (gave the RSA winner 7lbs) and beat recent Aintree winner For Non Stop in two starts at Newbury (also gave 7lbs), before chasing home the mighty Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle.
The ground and trip won’t be a problem today and he receives 3lbs from his main market rival Menorah, who needs to jump as he did at Aintree in April, having earlier looked far from assured. Indeed he got shut of Richard Johnson in the novice chase on this card 12 months ago.
The other Aintree winner in the line-up Edgardo Sol improved in leaps and bounds last term and his success in the Red Rum Handicap was most taking. A reproduction of that would see him go close, especially as he arguably looks the best jumper out of this three. However, he probably lacks the scope for further improvement that Cue Card has; the selection was available at a general 5/4 on Monday evening.
The exciting Hinterland (3:20) makes his chasing debut in the aforementioned novice chase (in which Menorah unseated last year) and it will be a shock if he is beaten.
An impressive winner on his return over hurdles at Chepstow last month, the four-year-old has long been held as a chaser in waiting down at Ditcheat and he should have little trouble in making a winning debut.
Reportedly schooled well (according to a recent Racing UK stable tour feature) the son Poliglote receives weight off all four rivals and he opened up at 4/9 with Paddy Power on Tuesday morning That seems fair enough but, given that Peckhamecho has already shown a useful level of form over fences and that Theatre Guide is another with potential as a chaser, it is hoped the bookmakers try and get the favourite early this morning.
Tuesday’s selections:
2:50 Exeter: Cue Card 10/11 Paddy Power
3:20 Exeter: Hinterland 4/9 Paddy Power
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Last Year’s Book Results – Leading Prospects:
- SPRINTER SACRE – Unbeaten – winner at Aintree & Cheltenham
- SIMONSIG – Winner at Aintree & Cheltenham
- CINDERS AND ASHES – 10/1 winner of Supreme Novices Hurdle
- BOBS WORTH – 9/2 winner of the RSA Chase
- MENORAH & SILVINIACO CONTI – Both Aintree Winners
- SIR DES CHAMPS – Unbeaten inc 3/1 Jewson Cheltenham Winner
- FINGAL BAY – Won 4 times inc Challow Hurdle
- RAYA STAR – 10/3 winner at Wetherby, 12/1 Ladbroke Hurdle winner, 15/2 Scottish Champion Hurdle winner
- AMBION WOOD – 14/1 EBF Final Sandown winner
- CHAMPION COURT – 6/1 G2 Dipper Novices Chase winner
- PALACE JESTER – 14/1 winner at FFos Las
- SWINCOMBE FLAME – Hat-trick winner inc Lanzarote Hurdle at 9/2
- TEAFOR THREE – 5/1 NH Cheltenham Chase winner (Manifesto Novices’ Chase)
