Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 03 November 2009 / Leave a comment

An absolutely cracking renewal where nothing can be ruled out. Nacarat is an exciting bold jumping front runner who cemented his improvement when third in a Grade 1 event at Aintree in the spring and shouldn't be inconvenienced by a return to this shorter trip. He gets the nod ahead of Oh Crick and Planet of Sound.

"Oh Crick was a progressive novice who took his form to a new level when landing two competitive handicaps in the spring. He is a fluent jumper who should continue to progress and shouldn't be at all underestimated."

Twist Magic is a high-class chaser who was back to his best when landing a Grade 2 at Sandown in April. He was found out in testing conditions behind Ashley Brook in this race last year, though, and often finishes weakly.

Nacarat is a front runner who developed into a high-class chaser last term, winning two good handicaps and rounding the season off with a third in a two-and-a-half mile Grade 1 at Aintree in April. He remains unexposed and is a serious contender.

I'msingingtheblues was not far removed from the top bracket of novice chasers last season at up to two and a half miles, winning three times. He is unlikely to lack for fitness on his return, but this is a tougher task against seasoned campaigners.

Ashley Brook ran a few of these ragged when making a winning return in this race last year. He was in nothing like same form afterwards, but has his ideal conditions in place if recapturing anything like his best.

Planet of Sound was in the front rank of novice chasers last season, finishing third in championship events on his last two starts. Sketchy jumping was still apparent on both occasions, however, and he cannot afford any mistakes in that department here.

Mahogany Blaze chased home Ashley Brook in this race last year. He has produced largely creditable efforts without managing to get head in front since, but has every chance at these weights once more.

Oh Crick was a progressive novice who took his form to a new level when landing two competitive handicaps in the spring. He is a fluent jumper who should continue to progress and shouldn't be at all underestimated.

Cornas is a better chaser than a hurdler, getting competitive with the cream of the novice division since winning at Ludlow in January. He fell on his reappearance but may yet have more to offer.

Panjo Bere has taken well to fences, raising his game when landing a Grade 2 at Ascot in January. He didn't do himself justice in the Arkle when last seen and is not out of this, despite being 3 lbs out of the weights.

Tags: Ashley Brook, Cornas, Exeter, I'msingingtheblues, Mahogany Blaze, Nacarat, Oh Crick, Panjo Bere, Planet of Sound, Twist Magic