Timeform UK SmartPlays: Friday December 7

The stamina-sapping Devon Marathon, run over four miles, takes place at 13:30 at Exeter, and the pair to have won on their most recent starts, Lord Tomnoddy and Desperate Dex, make most appeal. The first-mentioned has been very lightly raced and is arguably open to further improvement but Desperate Dex has been rejuvenated since joining trainer Tom George and is presently trading at a greater price. The 12-year-old has compiled a fairly patchy record in his career but seems to be in the form of his life at present, winning at Wincanton on the back of a lengthy absence in October before following up in good style at Chepstow. It was encouraging that he went the right way between those races and, if staying today's trip, there is every chance he can go in again. 

Our second selection runs in the following event at Exeter, where we side with the standard-setting The Italian Yob. Although gaining no plaudits for originality, with the four-year-old having shaped with plenty of encouragement when third over C&D last time and being some 15 lb clear on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings, his current price of 3.185/40 strikes as being fairly good value. Orabora and Kap Gun look to be the main dangers but The Italian Yob is very much the one to beat. 

A field of 15 go to post for Sandown's closing event but we go into it confident that the David Pipe-trained Tanerko Emery will emerge victorious. The six-year-old has improved with each run this year, getting off the mark at the third time of asking for this yard when winning cosily at Stratford in October, and he ran an excellent race to finish second in a decent affair at Cheltenham last month. The impression he created that day was that he had been let into handicaps lightly and, although racing off a 5 lb higher mark here, he appeals as the type to go on improving for a good while yet. 

Timeform SmartPlays
Back Desperate Dex @ 7.26/1 in the 13:30 at Exeter
Back The Italian Yob @ 3.185/40 in the 14:05 at Exeter
Back Tanerko Emery @ 3.02/1 in the 15:30 at Sandown

Get open access to Timeform data for just £2.50 a day with Timeform Race Passes. It's like a Form Book, Black Book & Race Card all in one! Find Out More!