Weather the Real Winner at Exeter Winter Racing
Devon's home of top-quality jump racing braves the weather on 19th January with a day of mid-winter action.
It hardly seems a year since Paul Nicholls' Qualando made a great show on his debut at Exeter Racecourse's Winter Racing day. And big fields are expected for 2016's six-race card.
Six-Race Card Set To Test Heavy Going
The action kicks off at 1.35pm with a 2-mile hurdle. The card also features a novices' handicap chase, a handicap chase over 2m 3f, and a maiden hurdle.
Traditionally seen as a pre-cursor to the Cheltenham Festival, past Winter Racing winners have gone on to great things later in the jump season.
Last year, Qualando, on his British debut, travelled well and was just beaten in the maiden hurdle. He returned to win at Exeter the following month. The Paul Nicholls-trained horse then went on to win the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham as a 25/1 shot.
Beware the Recent Rain
The wet weather that has been spreading across the country has played havoc with some racecourses. At time of writing, some 112mm of rain had made the Exeter course waterlogged and heavy in places.
The current forecast for the 19th is around the 6 degree mark, with sun, so that heavy going may have eased slightly.
Betting On The Day
Exeter boasts a range of local bookmakers taking bets on the day's races, but it's always worth doing some homework before you arrive. Even a basic perusal of the day's race-card will help you study the form and plan your wagers.
Exeter boasts Totepool betting points around the grandstands and bars. All stakes go into a prize-pool which is shared out if you bag a winner.
On-course bookies take bets on all races on the Winter Racing card, but Exeter also boasts a handful of betting shops.
And if you want to steal a march on the on-course bookies, consider signing up for an online betting account. Most land-based and online bookmakers today feature similar odds on the big races. However, with online sportsbooks you can pick up special promotions like enhanced odds on selected races and "cash back" on losing bets.
Buttercup Can Butter Up Opposition in Maiden Hurdle
Marking your card, here's a look at the card for Tuesday's racing:
1.35 Watch Racing UK Today Just £10 Maiden Hurdle
35 runners line up for the first race at Exeter, the 2-mile maiden hurdle. Venetia Williams' Buttercup comes off the back of a good 2015 and the 5-year-old should be well-backed. Jim Best's Generous Jack is a solid and experienced 7-year-old who could be the smart each-way bet.
2.10 RacingUK.com/Anywhere Mares' Handicap Hurdle
Trainer Jamie Snowden had a winner with Dark Lover at Taunton this week, and his Midnight Silver ride has had several decent results over the winter. The smart money is with the 6-year-old in the day's second race.
2.40 Racing UK Devices 1 Price Novices' Handicap Chase
Call the Detective has one win from two in chases this year. As long as the 7-year-old can handle the heavy going over the 3m distance, we fancy the Irish horse will perform again to add another chase win for trainer, Ali Stronge.
3.15 Racing UK Profits Returned To Racing Handicap Chase
14 runners take on the 2m 3f course in the day's fourth race. Trainer Jackie Du Plessis had mixed fortunes at Taunton this week, winning with Winning Spark and seeing St Dominick pull up. If James Best is on-board in the 3.15, we'll take an each-way punt on Cool George to swing the trainer's fortunes back round.
3.50 Racing UK Winter Season Ticket Handicap Hurdle
Richard Johnson and Monbeg Gold were winners of the Bathwick Tyres Handicap Hurdle here in November. While there's nothing of that quality in this Racing UK Handicap, we'll plump with James Best aboard Precious Ground. The pairing easily won at Exeter on New Year's Day, and may offer too much in a packed field.
4.20 100% RacingUK Profits Returned to Racing Maiden Hurdle
The 2m 5f maiden hurdle concludes this year's card. King Cayf comes off the back of two runner-up shows before Christmas. Jockey James Banks has had mixed fortunes at Taunton and Kempton this year already, but this 7-year-old could return him to winning ways.
Details
Exeter Winter Racing
Exeter Racecourse, Kennford, EX6 7XS
Tuesday, 19th January
11am-4.20pm
More information at: http://exeter.thejockeyclub.co.uk/
Tickets: 0344 5793 005
