ITV Racing Preview – Friday 7th November
Ed Chamberlain and the team return to our TV screens on Friday with six live races on ITV Racing, taking in the best of the day’s action over the sticks at Hexham and Exeter, where the Haldon Gold Cup is the day’s feature race.
Getting underway at 1.50pm we’ve picked out our Friday fancies for all six televised races.
1:50 Exeter – ICL Conscious Of Our Impact ‘Future Stars’ Silver Bowl Novices’ Chase (Excellence Initiative) (GBB) Cl2 (4yo+) 3m
Only four runners here but QUEBECOIS (11/8) gets the vote on his seasonal bow and first try over fences.
Paul Nicholls’ charge won first time up twelve months ago over hurdles, scoring at Chepstow before acquitting himself well without adding to his tally in Graded company. The No Risk At All gelding rounded off his campaign with an impressive win at Ayr when stepped up to this trip, beating Jump Allen by five lengths.
Runner-up in an Irish point-to-point prior to joining the team at Ditcheat, he should take to the larger obstacles and wind surgery in the off-season could unlock another level of ability in the six-year-old. Assuming quicker ground on his reappearance doesn’t prove a negative, he can get off the mark over fences at the first time of asking.
2:25 Exeter – BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (Limited Handicap Chase) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m1½f
This has been won by some good horses in the past, and defending champion JPR ONE (9/4) returns to action in a bid to retain his crown.
Joe Tizzard’s charge narrowly saw off Djelo to take this prize twelve months ago, after which he finished a good third behind Jonbon in the Tingle Creek at Sandown. Subsequent runs were a little disappointing, however, finishing his season at Plumpton in April, where he could only finish fifth to Sans Bruit.
However, he’s won first time up in each of the last three seasons, so he could be worth chancing on his latest reappearance and with good ground, no issue, a big run wouldn’t surprise back at a venue where he’s unbeaten.
2:45 Hexham – Unibet More Extra Places Handicap Hurdle Cl4 (4yo+ 0-115) 2m4f
RIOJA ALTA (4/1) hasn’t finished out of the frame in three starts when partnered by Brian Hughes and the pair can combine for the win here.
The Australia gelding was a Sedgefield winner back in February when equipped with first-time blinkers and Micky Hammond’s charge has continued in good form, finishing runner-up at Newcastle and third at Cartmel prior to returning to the latter track to resume winning ways in July.
That was over a longer trip than today’s distance, but his Sedgefield victory came at this yardage so he should have little problem setting out back from a break back over this shorter trip. A 5lbs rise in the weights for that latest victory will however, ask a little more of him in this stronger race, but in his current heart, he ought to go well once more, and he can make his presence felt.
3:00 Exeter – Oddschecker Handicap Hurdle Cl4 (3yo+ 0-110) 2m½f
KLIC BOUM (18/1, EW) is given a chance at a big price, and the Buck’s Boum gelding could belie his likely long odds if race-fit on his reappearance.
Evan Williams’ charge has finished in the bronze medal in each of his last three starts, most recently at Ffos Las in April, when beaten four lengths behind Indeevar Bleu. The five-year-old is now 1lb lower in the weights on his return, while the form of that run has been boosted by the runner-up winning since.
Young conditional Eleanor Williams takes over the reins from her elder sister Isabel, and her 7lbs claim will improve his chances at the weights as he can run off an effective mark of 92. On past showings, he looks capable of exploiting that mark, and he can make the frame here.
3:20 Hexham – Unibet Bet £20 Get £20 In Free Bets Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl3 (4yo+ 0-135) 2m4f
Which HUDSON DE GRUGY (9/1, EW) will turn up at Hexham on Friday? The Falco gelding is inconsistent, but he’s very capable of winning this if he puts his best foot forward.
Formerly with Gary Moore, the eight-year-old has pitched up at Ann Hamilton and makes his debut for the Capheaton trainer, who applies a tongue-tie in the hope some headgear can elicit one of his better performances.
A winner at Fontwell last December over this trip, he found a high-class renewal of the Mandarin Chase at Newbury too much for him before posting a creditable third in the Sussex National on his final start, proving his versatility over a range of trips.
He’s well handicapped on his historic form, and a change of scenery and application of different headgear could spark him into a big performance, so he’s worth chancing here, assuming he’s race-fit at the first time of asking.
3:35 Exeter – Oddschecker ‘Challenger’ Stayers’ Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier) (GBB) Cl3 (4yo+ 0-130) 3m
Prolific winner VILLAGE MASTER (5/1) can register further success despite a career-high mark.
Warren Greatrex’s charge won five on the spin over fences last summer, but following a couple of lesser runs in-between two wind surgeries the Mastercraftsman gelding regained his spark with a hat-trick of victories in the summer before posting a very creditable fourth to Art Of Diplomacy at Uttoxeter in a higher grade than this.
The six-year-old bounced back from a lacklustre effort back at Uttoxeter to score readily at Kempton following another wind surgery, beating Safe Destination, where he made virtually all the running and kept on dourly for the win with the first two finishing well clear.
That victory has resulted in a 6lbs rise in the weights, which will demand more if he’s to defy this career-high rating; but this trip holds no fears, and he has his favoured ground. If continuing in a similar vein, then he can go close here, for all this is a slightly tougher grade than he’s used to.
How to get the Boylesports Sign-up Offer
- Click this link straight to the Boylesports sign-up page
- Open an account and fill in the required details
- Deposit and place a bet of £10 or more on today’s racing
- You get £40 in free bets (£30 sports and £10 casino)
