The Colin Tizzard-trained Cue Card, winner of the Ryanair Chase last season, makes his return in the Haldon Gold Cup at 14:50 and, though he's fairly short at 2.26/5, there is an argument to suggest that he deserves to be shorter and he should be backed. Impressive when taking this race 12 months ago, Cue Card went on to enjoy a fine season, also taking the Grade 1 Ascot Chase and losing nothing in defeat when chasing home Sprinter Sacre in the Melling Chase at Aintree. Cue Card clearly has bigger targets this season, with the Betfair Chase and the King George reportedly on his immediate agenda, but he is likely to be forward enough to do himself justice and ought to make a winning start.
Racing returns to the fibresand at Southwell this afternoon and the best opportunity for a bet looks to be in the claimer at 15:40. Taking on La Estrella on his favoured surface would not have paid dividend over the years but as he rises 11 he's probably not the force of old, whilst Incendo is not one to trust implicitly, so this race could fall the way of Honoured, who is yet to taste success at this track but has twice finished in the money. He hasn't been in the best of form lately but has been given a short break and could be revitalised by a return to this surface.
Our final bet comes in the last race at Exeter with Emma Lavelle's Fix It Right fancied to break his duck over timber. The five-year-old has left the firm impression that we are yet to see the best of him, which is why he retains the Timeform 'p' on his rating, and he made a respectable return to action at Chepstow last month, finishing third. He should find that outing aiding his development and has plenty to recommend him, not least in terms of physique.
Timeform UK SmartPlays:
Back Cue Card @ 2.26/5 in the 14:50 at Exeter
Back Honoured @ 10.09/1 in the 15:40 at Southwell
Back Fix It Right @ 6.411/2 in the 16:20 at Exeter
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