We head to Sandown first to assess a novices' handicap chase over two and a half miles (13:10) in which Foundation Man has an excellent opportunity to follow up his Kempton success. He jumped superbly that day and although idling on the run in he was kept up to his work, value for more than the winning distance. He is a big, strong horse who looks the type to fulfil his potential now over fences and there should be plenty more improvement to come today. The 6 lb rise seems extremely fair for his victory last time, and he is a confident selection to continue his rise through the ranks, although both the Italian Yob and Royal Guardsman merit respect as similarly unexposed types.
We remain at Sandown for the Winter Novices' Hurdle (13:45) a race which Paul Nicholls has taken in the past with the likes of Ladalko and Neptune Collonges. Today he saddles Saint Roque, who is on a quest for a five-timer and sets a very good standard after his impressive win at Cheltenham in October. He had to be ridden out to see off the challenge of Rum And Butter but Daryl Jacob's mount had a bit in hand. He has the potential to take high rank amongst the novice hurdlers this season as previous winners of the race have done, although the exciting Beat That and Oscar Fortune will ensure he doesn't get things entirely his own way.
We head west to Exeter for our final bet of the day and it's a handicap chase under consideration over a marathon four-mile trip (14:05) and it might be worth taking a chance on Civil Disobedience at a bigger price. He is half-brother to the winner of this race in 2011, Drybrook Bedouin, and has some fair form in the book after a close third to Hunters Lodge in a handicap chase at Cheltenham in October. Given his pedigree it would be no surprise if the step-up in trip today brought about a significant improvement and it is an open enough field to take that chance, although the flip side of that coin is that the likes of Jayandbee, the in-form Whistling Senator and Ballypatrick all arrive with solid claims.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
Back Foundation Man @ 4.3100/30 in the 13:10 at Sandown
Back Saint Roque @ 2.747/4 in the 13:45 at Sandown
Back Civil Disobedience @ 10.519/2 in the 14:05 at Exeter
