Timeform Notebook: No Doubt this is a horse on the up

If In Doubt had the misfortune of bumping into the well-handicapped Fingal Bay at Exeter on Sunday, but he once again shaped extremely well, putting up a career-best performance as he finished a close-up second with the pair well clear. Two weeks ago we put up Tap Night as a JP McManus-owned horse to follow at the Cheltenham Festival and we will recommend the same for the progressive If In Doubt.

If In Doubt didn't progress as expected last season following an emphatic novice win, but he has looked an improved performer this term, winning effortlessly at Towcester prior to putting up a pair of highly creditable efforts in strong handicaps. The thriving Saphir du Rheu proved too strong in the 21-furlong Lanzarote Hurdle, but it was encouraging how well If In Doubt stuck to his task and it was no surprise that he found the step up to a near-three-mile trip in his favour at Exeter. Always travelling powerfully, If In Doubt deserves credit for how well he moved into the race, and the fact that he was the only horse capable of throwing down a challenge to the very smart Fingal Bay is also meritorious. He is sure to go up in the weights again, but he is a progressive horse with some extremely solid handicap form to his name and deserves a crack at a Festival handicap; the Pertemps Final, for which he is now qualified, looks an obvious target and a race well within his compass.

Timeform Notebook:

Benefit Cut built on the promise of his chasing debut, jumping soundly, travelling powerfully and winning with a good degree of authority at Market Rasen. He is sure to go up plenty in the weights but has relatively few miles on the clock for an eight-year-old and is sure to be worthy of consideration next time. 

Dungeness was well beaten at Exeter but he is worth forgiving as his rider suffered significant tack problems. The issue - which involved a stirrup leather breaking - happened too far out to suggest with any confidence how Dungeness would have fared, but he was certainly going well enough at the head of affairs and the suspicion is that he would have been involved in the finish. He is retained on the list.

Shutthefrontdoor - Disappointed last time but earlier efforts suggest he can develop into a smart novice.
Straidnahanna - Narrowly denied by a useful prospect at Haydock and remains unexposed.
Merlin's Wish - Staying handicap chaser who remains capable of winning off current mark.
Close House - Once again shaped as if three miles was too far; will be suited by return to shorter.  
Many Clouds - Genuine type that has taken well to chasing, already showing improved form which has recently been boosted by Indian Castle. 
Famousandfearless - Seemingly well regarded and type to improve for switch to handicaps.
Champagne At Tara - Shaped well on hurdling debut under considerate ride. Not knocked about last time.
Regal Encore - Looks set to enter handicaps on a lenient mark and is sure to progress.
Champagne West - Progressive novice that has rattled up a hat-trick in good style.
Pass Muster - Still potentially well treated over hurdles based on fairly useful Flat form. 
Dungeness - Has looked an improved horse this season and could be better over further. 
Benefit Cut - Shaped well on chasing debut at Ascot and open to progress in this sphere.
Tap Night - Smart chaser who remains unexposed and is likely to have a Festival handicap as his main aim.
Clever Cookie - Improving rapidly and impressed with the way in which he travelled at Musselburgh.
If In Doubt - Lightly raced and unexposed as a staying hurdler. Still improving and boasts solid form.