/ Timeform / 05 April 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Exeter Races
"Vamizi ran well when second in the Devon National over this course and distance last time out and a repeat of that run should be enough to see him hit the places."
Timeform's Phil Thompson makes the selections for today's placepot at Exeter...
14:30 - We start with a novice hurdle and we will take Lundy Sky to get us off to a flyer. The selection was impressive when making all a similar event here last time over course and distance and is expected to go close here under identical conditions, the way open for him now that Handy Andy is a non-runner.
15:00 - A trappy handicap here with questions marks over most of them, so we will take two against the field. Sir Kezbaah has posted some very solid efforts this season, most notably when chasing home the smart Salden Licht over an inadequate 2m1f here in January. He's suited by this sort of test and a reproduction of his last run when fourth to Golden Chieftain will see him go close. Sum Laff is the least exposed member of the line-up after having only three starts under Rules. He still looked green when winning at Fontwell last time and could be open to further improvement now granted a stiffer test.
15:30 - Even on good ground, this race promises to be a war of attrition; racing for nearly four miles and over 21 fences around Exeter on a Tuesday afternoon is fraught with danger and so we would be foolish to put all our eggs in one basket and gamble here. Vamizi ran well when second in the Devon National over this course and distance last time out and a repeat of that run should be enough to see him hit the places. Martha's Kinsman is one of three 12-year olds in the line-up and has been contesting hunter chases as of late. However, he has proven stamina over such extreme distances (won over 4m 1f at Cheltenham in October) and Richard Johnson who has won him twice is back taking over from an amateur.
16:00 - Hidden Keel is likely to be a short-priced favourite on the back of an impressive win here last time. That was only 14 days ago, though, and he did have things his own way that day, facing a tougher task now he has to give weight to some useful types here, so we shall oppose him. Requin was impressive when landing a handicap at Chepstow last time and is a previous course winner here, he's a sound jumper and is open to further improvement, as is Rougham who has shown himself to be a useful novice chaser this season and jumped boldly when winning at Ascot in January. He can be forgiven his run at Cheltenham last time when he found the competition too hot and he should provide us with a good chance of hitting the places.
16:30 - The hunter chase has long been the nemesis of a good placepot and this one looks no different on paper. However, this particular race does not have as much strength in depth as first appears and we will take a chance on Blackstaff to make the three. Blackstaff has won his last three point outings impressively with today's jockey on board and whilst lacking the experience of some of his rivals, both trip and ground look suitable for him.
17:00 It's usually a case of no heroics when it comes to the last leg, but, in this instance, we should be on pretty safe ground banking on Harry Le Fise Lake in the bumper. The selection acquitted himself well on his debut when second at Wincanton. He should have learnt from that experience and is taken to go one-better.
Selections: 8 lines
14:30 - 2
15:00 - 5, 10
15:30 - 4, 14
16:00 - 2, 3
16:30 - 2
17:00 - 3
Folkestone is the scene of today's Placepot attempt......
Yesterday's placepot at Doncaster paid over 19 grand, and by my reckoning today's card is more difficult if anything. Hopefully today's rewards will be similar should we be lucky enough to make it through all six legs......
Finally the Flat turf season really starts, and we've got some big fields at Doncaster to get our teeth into for the placepot......
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