Follow The Last-Time-Out Winners In Exeter’s Opener

It All Points To A Repeat Win In Amateur Event

Two horses that between them had run 32 times without a win prior to their latest, winning efforts look to dominate the Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles and two furlongs at Exeter today.

DON JUAN DU GOUET won as recently as last Saturday, beating seven rivals by an easy 10 lengths plus at Stratford after 161 days away from racing.

He carries a 7lb penalty today but the quick reappearance shows the intent of his trainer Henry Daly, and we can only rely on his judgement that the gelding won’t “bounce”, running again so quickly after time off.

He took advantage of a drop in the weights there but looked a better horse than we had seen previously, and a reproduction of that run under the penalty should see him tough to beat in a race lacking in improvers.

CHANCE IT appears to be the only other that could fit that latter description and he also got his head in front recently when getting home here at Exeter 10 days ago.

He is similarly up 7lb and the form book shows no real reason for his improved run, but there is, in turn, no logic in discounting it.

He is rated top on BTO figures, 9 points ahead of Don Juan Du Gouet who is a further 15 clear of IFANDBUT in third.

NO CRUISE YET is second favourite and ran well when fourth to Global Tour at Bangor in May.

He was beaten 10 lengths, though, and is down just 1lb as well as being off the course for five months.

TOP OF THE ROCKS is being backed but again hasn’t won for over two years and is up 5lb for the nearest he has come to getting his head in front since, a second to Lapford Lad in June.

AT 2/1 and 5/1 respectively, Don Juan Du Gouet and Chance It can be dutched for a 100% profit.

G Lees

Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.

Latest