LONG TO MAKE EXETER POINT

By Tony Kelshaw, PA

The Long Point looks ready to break his duck over timber at the fourth attempt in Exeter's Buy At Irish Bloodstock Sales Handicap Hurdle.

Emma Lavelle's charge looked to be going in the right direction when second on his handicap debut at Kempton last month, when keeping on nicely under Harry

Cobden to chase home Star Of Affinity, who was scoring for the third time this term.

This six-year-old son of Kingston Hill impressed when comfortably landing a Huntingdon bumper last May but weakened late on in his first two spins over timber, so it was encouraging to see him get back on track and decent ground will suit.

With Cobden again in the saddle, this rates a good opportunity to hit the target.

Few would also begrudge stablemate J J Moon an overdue first success over timber in the Visit Irish Bloodstock Sales With ITM Maiden Hurdle, which has cut up into a match.

He came good last spring when landing a Southwell bumper but has yet to get off the mark over obstacles.

However, the six-year-old only missed out by a neck when second at Wincanton i mid-December to Prophesea, who has scored again since, and was just denied by a head when runner-up at Kempton last month.

Le Ligerien may now be 12 years old but he looked as fresh as ever when running out an easy winner at Lingfield last time out.

That was on soft going but Joe Tizzard's gelding has posted four of his nine career victories on good ground, so there should be no issues with the surfacein the Unibet Middle Distance Series Veterans' Handicap Chase.

Wetherby's feature contest, the Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Novices' LimiteD Handicap Chase, can go the way of Grand Albert.

Donald McCain's seven-year-old was simply never jumping well when tailed off at Kelso last month but had previously scored by 25 lengths over this course and distance after finishing a fair third behind Caldwell Potter at Carlisle.

His record also includes some smart hurdles form, notably when beating Guard The Moon at Bangor before finishing a length second to Cheltenham Festival scorer Haiti Couleurs at the same track.

At Wolverhampton, the Karl Burke-trained Victoria Harbour is an interesting debutant in the Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Fillies' Novice Stakes.

She is by Frankel and out of a dam who has already produced five winners, including top-class stablemate Royal Rhyme.

Critical Aclaim was a well-backed joint-favourite when second on his racecourse bow at Kempton and can hopefully go one better for Richard Hughes in the Weekly Free Bets With BetMGM Extra Restricted Novice Stakes.

Visibility has suffered from slow starts throughout his career but could be worth taking a chance on in the Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap now 6lb lower than when scoring over the same course and distance in October.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

WETHERBY: Race 1: 16.00 Mister Smarty, Race 2: 16.30 Micks Jet, Race 3: 17.00
Forcetoreckonwith, Race 4: 17.35 Grand Albert, Race 5: 18.10 Jukebox Fury, Race 6: 18.45
White Riot.

EXETER: Race 1: 16.15 Devon Dude, Race 2: 16.45 J J Moon, Race 3: 17.17 Le Ligerien, Race 4:
17.52 Cooleenymore, Race 5: 18.27 THE LONG POINT (NAP), Race 6: 19.02 Filanderer, Race 7:
19.35 Knockmoylan.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 18.55 Victoria Harbour, Race 2: 19.25 Apache Star, Race 3: 20.00
Critical Aclaim, Race 4: 20.30 Voltaic, Race 5: 21.00 Match Anthem, Race 6: 21.30 Visibility, Race
7: 22.00 Rumba Bay, Race 8: 22.30 Harry The Haggler.

ALL TO COME: The Long Point (Exeter, Race 5) and Critical Aclaim (Wolverhampton, Race 3).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za