Mr Crystal gave my list to follow an 8/1 winner at Pontefract today, making light of my doubts about his ability to handle the ground. It was sad to see former Pontefract Cup winner Monolith tailed off at the back in this race and it would be no surprise to see him retired.
Exeter is the highest racecourse in the country and it certainly offers the top action tomorrow with the leading national hunt trainers again in opposition.
It was Nicholls versus King in the Kempton novice chase yesterday with the Ditcheat handler coming out on top thanks to I’msingingtheblues. Tomorrrow in the novice hurdle at 2.40 Alan King saddles Shalone and Paul Nicholls opposes with The Nightingale. The flat bred Shalone has had 3 runs in bumpers and his only defeat was a narrow one to the highly rated Diamond Harry who has himself already won over hurdles. The Nightingale won a Wincanton bumper before running second an another bumper at Newbury. There is little point in giving a tip in races like this but if pushed I would go for Shalone, although of course you oppose a Nicholls runner at your peril at present.
High Class hurdler Straw Bear makes his chase debut in the 3.10, a race named after the late great Best Mate (pictured below). He is likely to start at odds on and might be worth opposing with the Paul Nicholls grey, Pasco. On hurdles form he has plenty to find on Straw Bear but although he is flat bred he has the size and scope to make a chaser and the stable could hardly be in better nick.
The Tother One was a progressive hurdler for Paul Nicholls last season and as a half brother to Thisthatandtother he is very likely make his mark over fences. He runs in the 3.40 where Philip Hobbs might supply the main danger in the shape of Khasab.
Silver Inngot is a horse I have followed over the years. He makes his first appearance of the season in the 4.40 and could be interesting as he goes well fresh.
There are a couple of runners from my list to follow in the 4.30 at Lingfield. Hereford Boy won this race last season. He has not won for 8 starts now but wears first time blinkers here and if they do the trick he would have a chance as he is reasonably handicapped. Silvanus has started favourite on 4 of his career starts but has only won once. He probably shows more at home than he does on the racecourse and there is always the possibility that he may come good as he is lightly raced but he doesn’t look one to rely on.
Given the name of my web site perhaps I should adopt Mick Channon’s Mykingdomforahorse as the site’s mascot. He runs in the 3.20 at Yarmouth tomorrow and on the basis of a good second at Nottingham last time out is in with a sound chance.
The picture of Best Mate is by courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller. For more examples of this artists work see links.
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