N.H. racing at Exeter, Kempton and Southwell

No flat racing in the U.K. today, even the all-weather tracks at Kempton and Southwell are staging N.H. racing. The most interesting runner in action today is probably Captain Chris (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson), who goes for the opening novice hurdle over 2 miles at Kempton at 15.00 CET. He was a most impressive winner on his debut over sticks just over 2 weeks ago over this CD and looks a horse with a bright future.

Another novice hurdle winner who can follow up here under a penalty is Great Reason (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) at 16.05, and the same team also have good prospects with the Queen´s Pipe Banner in the handicap hurdle at 16.40. This one had useful novice form and makes his handicap debut on a very reasonable weight, but this is quite a hot race, and Woolfall Treasure (Gary and Jamie Moore) and Galaxy Rock (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) are just two of several dangers.

Philip Hobbs has his string in good form and can also be on the scoreboard at Exeter as we give a final chance to French Saulaie (Tom O´Brien) in the handicap hurdle at 15.40. This one has repeatedly let his supporters down, but shaped better here last time before being hampered and has been dropped in the weights. Smoothöy Dpes It (Venetia Williams/ William Biddick) looks the main danger. The Colin/ Joe Tizzard team is also going well at present and they can continue their winning run with The Jazz Musician in the novice chase at 16.15, where Vodka Brook (Sue Alner/ Daryl Jacon) looks a big threat, while Qulinton (David Pipe/ Hadden Frost) is certainly better than he showed last time and can also not be left out.

Venetia Williams is another trainer who has runners at more than one meeting and sends stable jockey Aidan Coleman to Southwell, where he can take the handicap chase at 15.20 with top-weight Samurai Way. This one, also quite useful on the flat in younger days, was a easy novice chase winner 9 days ago and should be able to take the step into handicap company in his stride. The ex-French Rozoleen is another possible for the same team in the maiden hurdle at 16.30, but he is an unknown quantity together with several of the other runners here, so the race is best treated with caution.