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Chief commands Exeter respect

Written by Press Association | Nov 23, 2024 5:08:22 PM

The Doyen Chief made a satisfactory debut over fences last month and can step up on that effort in the Coreus Foundation Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Exeter on Sunday.

Alan King's seven-year-old was sent off favourite at Market Rasen, jumped soundly enough and was bang in contention turning for home after moving up from a midfield position.

However, he had been a bit fresh throughout and was ultimately outstayed by a couple of more experienced campaigners.

With the edge hopefully taken off him, The Doyen Chief now drops down in distance and switches to novice company, with both moves expected to aid his cause.

Winner of a bumper and two novice hurdles despite showing signs of greenness, he remains a horse with plenty of potential.

Dameofthecotswolds has been making the most of the experience she gained last term and will take some beating in the Masons Kings Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

She pulled clear in fine fashion when beating Geturguccion by 8 lengths at Ludlow for a second success over timber and seems to be getting stronger and stronger all the time.

The Exeter Vertu Volvo Handicap Hurdle features a number of unexposed types who could be worth watching for future reference, but none more so than Kabral Du Mathan.

After a debut victory in France, he was an eye-catching scorer at Huntingdon on his first start for Paul Nicholls back in January but did not reappear for the rest of the season.

Nicholls has spoken highly of the four-year-old's talent prior to this return to action and an opening mark of 123 looks very manageable.

Coco Mademoiselle seemed to be a sure-fire future winner when going down by just a head to Hometown Boy on her seasonal reappearance at Worcester.

Weveallbeencaught was 6 lengths back in third and then went close to scoring at Cheltenham next time out, so Dan Skelton's mare makes plenty of sense in the Jumps Is Back With Rhino.Bet Handicap Chase.

Crazierthandaisy managed to win a Plumpton bumper in April despite looking far from the finished article and stands out on her jumping debut at Uttoxeter.

Hailing from a smart family and carrying the Kenny Alexander colours made famous by Honeysuckle, she has been the subject of good reports from Nicky Henderson ahead of the 2025 Uttoxeter Annual Membership Now Available Mares' "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.

Stablemate Shanagh Bob is also rated very highly by the Seven Barrows maestro and can make a successful start over fences in the Pektron Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

A Grade Two novice hurdle victor at Cheltenham last December, he was forced to sidestep the Festival and did not show his true form at Aintree, but chasing has always been expected to be his game and this is a nice introduction.

Day two of Punchestown's Premiere Weekend features a superb renewal of the John Durkan Memorial Chase, with familiar foes Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow continuing their fascinating rivalry.

Martin Brassil reports that defending champion Fastorslow has enjoyed a smooth preparation and he is taken to edge 4-3 ahead of the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero over this shorter trip.

Fact To File was impressive in last season's Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Festival and adds to the interest, but Fastorslow is a formidable foe at this track, where he has also claimed a couple of Punchestown Gold Cup triumphs. - Press Association

SELECTIONS

CORK: Race 1 - 14.20 Firebrand, Race 2 - 14.55 His Nibs, Race 3 - 15.30 Tyson, Race 4 - 16.05 Big Debates, Race 5 - 14.40 Zenta, Race 6 - 17.15 Invictus Machin, Race 7 - 17.47 The Lovely Man.

EXETER: Race 1 - 14.30 Clotilda, Race 2 - 15.05 Dameofthecotswolds, Race 3 - 15.40 THE DOYEN CHIEF (NAP), Race 4 - 16.15 Kabral Du Mathan, Race 5 - 16.50 Coco Mademoiselle, Race 6 - 17.25 Star Of Affinity, Race 7 - 18.00 Elle Est Beau.

PUNCHESTOWN: Race 1 - 13.35 Coko Beach, Race 2 - 14.05 Argento Boy, Race 3 - 14.40 Feet Of A Dancer, Race 4 - 15.15 Franciscan Rock, Race 5 - 15.50 Farren Glory, Race 6 - 16.25 Fastorslow, Race 7 - 17.00 Lady Bresil, Race 8 - 17.32 Soir De Garde.

UTTOXETER: Race 1 - 14.15 Derryhassen Paddy, Race 2 - 14.50 Crazierthandaisy, Race 3 - 15.25 Shanagh Bob, Race 4 - 16.00 Dinons, Race 5 - 16.35 Tommy Cullen, Race 6 - 17.10 Coastal Rock, Race 7 - 17.40 Strackan.