The 14:30 has a fittingly competitive field for a race named the City of Exeter Challenge Cup. You could make the case for several, though the fact that Join The Clan has just about the strongest claims and yet isn't favourite identifies him as a bet. His career has followed a familiar path for one from the Jonjo O'Neill yard, short on experience until tackling handicaps. Join The Clan's step up came at Market Rasen, when he easily disposed of the consistent Phare Isle. He came unstuck in the mud at Towcester next time, apparently losing his action and therefore excused. Back under less testing conditions today, Join The Clan ought to get back on the upgrade and is potentially well treated in even this field off 125.
We should all know what to expect in the following 'marathon' (15:00): plenty of exposed sorts; slow and/or lazy types and so on. Selection Jaunty Journey could be put in all those categories if you wished to be harsh, though he's slipped to a career-low BHA mark of 100 and has offered more promise of late. Second at Warwick in March in spite of another poor round of jumping, Jaunty Journey then won back over hurdles at Newbury a fortnight ago. He gets to return to fences off the same mark and if he shows up he ought to win. Prices around 7.413/2 undersell the chance of Jaunty Journey putting in a clear round.
The 16:10 looks ordinary for the grade, with a bet on the solid Gores Island making the most appeal. This gelding hasn't been long with the Gary Moore yard and has run poorly this season only on his return and in the Lanzarote when he was rather out of his ground. He's been second in C&D events on his last two starts, bumping into useful/progressive rivals on each occasion. Off the same mark as when second to wide-margin winner Daymar Bay at the end of last month, Gores Island should at least be competitive again.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Exeter
Back Join The Clan @ 8.88/1 in the 14:30
Back Jaunty Journey @ 7.413/2 in the 15:00
Back Gores Island @ 4.67/2 in the 16:10
