2.30pm Exeter Tips & Betting Preview 15/11/2017

2.30pm Exeter tips for Wednesday’s race. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: A fast run race seems pretty much assured in this field and that should play in to the hands of proven stayer SAINT JOHN HENRY (Each Way) who has a lack of chasing experience but ran away with his only race over fences to date and can only improve. He seems too stay forever and can take this on his way to far better handicaps over marathon trips with normal progression.

1 WOTZIZNAME – Has to be of interest for the excellent Harry Fry and didn’t disgrace himself at all when runner-up to Coastal Tiep over course and distance albeit seven lengths adrift at the line. He has been dropped a pretty generous four pounds by the handicapper ahead of this afternoon’s engagement and if he learns to jump a bit better on the schooling grounds then he ought to be a major player here.

2 PERFORM – Trainer Philip Hobbs adds first-time cheekpieces this afternoon as he hunts for the focus needed to ensure a clear round after the eight-year-old fell on his chasing bow at Aintree last month. His overall profile fails to improve but he is lightly raced and has always been seen as a future chaser, though at present he still has a little to prove over the larger obstacles.

3 WICKED WILLY – Decent enough over hurdles with two wins and numerous places but seemed a natural over fences on his chasing debut at Huntingdon when jumping cleanly before coming home alone eased down and he seems sure to have enjoyed and learned from that experience. Nigel Twiston-Davies remains in among the winners and he looks a major player in this field with Jamie Bargary’s three-pound claim a bonus.

4 DINGO DOLLAR – Alan King is responsible for the five-year-old son of Golden Lariat who had his first race over fences when a fourteen length four to Wicked Willy at Huntingdon when making more than his fair share of minor jumping errors. He meets the winner on eleven pounds better terms (before jockey claims), and if he has progressed he won’t be far away from his market rival at these weights.

5 SAINT JOHN HENRY – Surprised everyone on his chasing bow over even further at Chepstow and looks to need every inch of this three miles to bring his stamina in to play. Only a seven-year-old, he may well be targeting a National of some kind this season or next with any progression, and will much come in to play even more if the anticipated overnight rain falls and the ground turns to heavy.

6 BUSTER THOMAS – Always considered a chaser in the making after finishing second in a point-to-point at Ballyarthur yet he still won on his hurdling debut at Lingfield before a second at Warwick on his only other start under rules. Makes his chasing debut here with a lot more improvement to come and potentially well-weighted here, and with the Emma Lavelle stable ticking over nicely he seems to have a decent each way chance.

7 MAX FORTE – One win from nine starts over hurdles at Wincanton in a novice and a good second to Iora Glas at Cheltenham in a decent looking contest when last seen over this trip in April. Could be interesting later in the season but the Chris Down stable seem out of sorts (no winners from seven runners in the last two weeks), and this looks a tough enough race to start off in.

8 ANOTHER VENTURE – Trainer Kim Bailey does particularly well with his chasers and it seems fair to assume the six-year-old Stowaway gelding will do better now after a debut experience over fences at Uttoxeter when a thirteen length fifth to Sir Ivan over shorter. That was his first run in seven months and he ought to strip fitter and his stable are in better form now, and he looks to have each way possibilities.

9 LONGTOWN – Presumably the Philip Hobbs first strong with Richard Johnson in the saddle and built to do well over fences. He got off the mark in a maiden hurdle when last seen at Warwick at the end of March to show he has plenty of untapped potential and he could be an interesting option if the market speaks in his favour on course.

10 PURE VISION – Antony Honeyball trained and J P McManus owned the son of Milan has to be given plenty of respect with the stable beginning to fire on all cylinders again with two winners in the past fortnight. Gets in here off bottom weight for his chasing debut with David Noonan in the saddle and another worthy of a market watch though with no evidence of any jumping prowess he is hard to suggest just yet.