2.25pm Exeter Tips & Betting Preview 20/11/2016

Ten go to post in a Class 3 handicap chase run over the same C&D as the Haldon Gold Cup. It’s a tight race where it looks worth taking a chance with a big price each way. Read on for our expert tips and runner-by-runner preview.

IN SUMMARY: The weather could play an important role here. Rain would help the chances of After Hours who was backed into favouritism at Kempton last time, but would be a blow to the consistent Theatre Mill. Walk In The Mill and Crickle Wood are unexposed and should be capable of more this season, but a chance is taken with DANCE FLOOR KING. He isn’t an obvious pick on recent runs, however he will be happier this way round and ran far better than the bare form would suggest when making his return at Worcester.

1 Got The Nac  A winner first time back last season when making almost all the running at Newcastle. He was unable to repeat the feat at Musselburgh the next time when too keen. A hood is applied here to try to stop the same fate befalling him, but the stiffer track and step up in trip have got to be question marks.

2 Helium – Rising 12, however Alex Dunn’s charge was still running to a high level last season. He was a little disappointing at Aintree when last seen, but the handicapper has given him a chance. Acts on any ground although most of his winning has been done on sharper tracks.

3 Walk In The Mill – Often well supported but has failed to get his head in front in the UK so far. He rounded out last campaign with probably his best performance of the campaign and he remains unexposed enough to think there could be more to come.

4 Theatre Mill – Been running consistently well this season, with connections likely to be trying to squeeze one more run out of him before the going gets too soft. Likely to be there or thereabouts, but is vulnerable for win purposes.

5 Crickle Wood – The winner of a Warwick handicap last November, quality form has been harder to come by ever since. He has had just the one start over fences when blundering away his chance mid-contest. Other than that it was a reasonable chasing debut which would give him an each way squeak if able to build on it.

6 A Little Magic  Showed promise over hurdles, but has showed considerably less in a pair of starts over the bigger fences. Still lightly raced, there is likely to be better to come. However, he will need to show his best hurdling form to take a hand here.

7 Dance Floor King – Dropping rapidly down the weights following a run of wins at the end of 2014. The last of those wins came off a mark 6 lbs higher than he runs off now so is starting to look well treated again. He made a stopping blunder at the last in the back straight of his Worcester return having been too keen too early. He wasn’t knocked about afterwards and has always been a better horse going right-handed. A very interesting each way player.

8 After Hours – A point-to-point winner in Ireland, he made his chasing rules debut on his seasonal return at Kempton. He made a number of mistakes that day on ground that would have been quick enough for him. Will be interesting if the rain comes.

9 Last Shot – Very well treated on his old form, but need to go back to 2013 for his most recent win. The majority from this yard tend to need a run on their returns so a market check would be helpful. However he is probably best watched to see if any ability remains.

10 No Ceiling – Enjoyed a successful summer with wins at Southwell and Sedgefield. Every chance that there is more improvement to come, but the three times he has gone right-handed, he has under-performed. Therefore, the suitability of the track has to go down as a slight question mark for him.

Please Gamble Responsibly.

Please Gamble Responsibly