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Our tipster sets his sights on Sunday's action
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Back Blenkinsop to confirm Cheltenham promise
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Step up in trip should suit selection
Exeter, 13.26 - Back Blenkinsop @ 7/42.75
A vintage John Durkan Chase is a treat to savour for Sunday punters with a true Grade 1 line-up assembled for a fabulous renewal.
There may be no Galopin Des Champs, but when the reigning Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin is as big as 10/1 in the markets, it's a sign this year's running is packed full of quality and depth.
Trying to interpret which of an array of equine stars is ready to roll first start off the shelf is a tricky ask and beyond my paygrade so I'll head to Exeter and an interesting Novices' Limited Handicap Chase where Blenkinsop looks to have bright prospects.
A talented hurdler in his own right, the Shropshire-trained runner made a fine start to life over fences when pitched into a warm novices' handicap at Cheltenham's Showcase meeting won by Zurich.
The eight-year-old had jumped soundly in the main until reaching the last ditch at the top of the hill where Newton Tornado departed and the selection, who wasn't at his most fluent, was also brought to a near standstill in the backwash with the loose horse causing issues.
To his credit and that of rider Ciaran Gethings, Blenkinsop attached himself to the back of the chasing pack and finished well up the hill from a highly uncompromising position.
His closing effort was so strong that he clocked the highest finishing speed percentage of the race (103.56%) and his final four-furlong sectional was the second best of the field which indicate that today's step up in trip should be ideal.
I liked the way Blenkinsop attacked the last two fences - RaceIQ data shows he gained two-and-a-half lengths on his rivals there - before powering up the run in and it was therefore suprising the handicapper dropped him a couple of pounds for the effort.
Hopefully, he can full advantage today.
Back Blenkinsop to Win 13:26 Exeter