We kick off proceedings with a 19-furlong handicap hurdle from Exeter (14:00) and Here's Herbie looks to hold extremely strong claims in the absence of overnight favourite Dungeness. He'd shown an indifferent level of form in his first four starts over hurdles but improved a huge amount on his handicap debut last time, losing by less than a length at Taunton and finishing notably strongly. That gives every reason to suggest that the stiffer test Exeter provides will play to his strengths and arguably might see him to even better effect. Given this race now presents a far easier examination following the withdrawal of Venetia Williams' likeable mare, the selection is taken to continue his progress in this sphere and go one better than last time, although handicap debutant Gallic Warrior may be capable of better and might give the selection most to think about.
We head north to Newcastle next for a novices' hurdle over two miles (14:20) and Stonebrook is a confident selection to take this on his way to bigger and better things. He won two bumpers at Carlisle in the Autumn and looked a very smart prospect when winning at Ayr last month, winning by two lengths. The third that day has won since but the style of the performance was more taking than the standard of the form, as he was still hard on the bridle approaching the final flight and was value for far more than the winning distance. He looks likely to get further in time but given how strongly he travels the two-mile trip shouldn't be a problem, especially given the galloping nature of the track and the uphill climb in the closing stages. His jumping was a little sketchy on his hurdles debut at Wetherby but this will be his third start in the sphere and as a result you can expect to see a more polished performance. Although he concedes 7 lb to the field for his win last time he should have more than enough class in the locker to make it back-to-back wins for Donald McCain.
We return Exeter for our final bet of the day which comes in another novices' hurdle over just shy of three miles (16:00) and although the Nicholls-trained newcomer Chinatown Boy is sure to be popular given his pedigree and price tag, it might be better to side with Capote. He was a £75,000 purchase from the pointing field and made a hugely impressive debut at Catterick, managing to grind out a win despite not settling fully or jumping fluently. He's likely to come on a huge amount from that run and if he can ally a more polished performance to what is clearly a significant engine, he looks to be a smart prospect both for today's purposes and beyond. If you also take into account that the excellent Maurice Linehan takes 5 lb off his back and is value for it, he looks to hold strong claims to making it two out of two over timber.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
Back Here's Herbie @ 3.7511/4 in the 14:00 at Exeter
Back Stonebrook @ 1.222/9 in the 14:20 at Newcastle
Back Capote @ 1.875/6 in the 16:00 at Newvcastle