Devon Delivers the Goods
What a cracking way to start the week! Exeter served up a proper Monday feast with six races that had everything - competitive handicaps, progressive mares, and enough talking horses to keep the form students busy until next weekend.
The lovely ground on the softer side of good played fair all afternoon, and the quality of racing was streets ahead of your typical Monday fare. This wasn't filler material - this was proper competitive National Hunt action that would have graced a Saturday card.
The atmosphere was electric from the off, with punters clearly relishing the chance to get stuck into some meaty handicaps after the weekend's championship races. And boy, did they get value for money!
Feature Race Fireworks
The Racing TV Handicap Hurdle at 14:40 was the standout contest - a proper cavalry charge over two miles seven that had Ilitch heading the weights off a mark of 112. Charlie Hammond's mount has been knocking on the door in better company, and this looked tailor-made for him to finally get his head in front.
But the real eye-catcher was Breezethroughlife under Jack Quinlan. This progressive sort has been climbing the handicap ladder with purpose, and off 110, he looked primed for another bold show. The way he's been finishing his races suggests the step up in trip could unlock even more improvement.
Tropical Speed brought solid claims too - Chad Bament knows his way around Exeter, and this horse has shown a real liking for the track. At 108, he was well in if reproducing his best form.
The pace looked strong with several hold-up horses in the field, setting up perfectly for a grandstand finish that had the crowd on their feet.
Mares Take Center Stage
The afternoon belonged to the ladies, with two cracking mares' contests providing the real talking points. The Queen Boudicca Mares' Chase Series qualifier at 15:10 was a proper test over three miles, and Moviddy looked the one to beat under Jack Hogan.
But it was the novices' mares' hurdle at 15:40 that really caught the eye. Natus Vincere with Sean Bowen up looked a class above this field - the name means 'born to win' and everything about this mare's profile screams progressive type.
The real gem though might be Dartmouth Rose for Jack Quinlan. This lightly-raced sort has bags of scope for improvement, and connections clearly think plenty of her to pitch her into handicap company so early in her career.
Miss Eleanor Williams getting the leg-up on Honey I'm Good added extra spice - the conditional jockey has been riding with real confidence lately, and this looked a perfect opportunity for her to grab another winner.
Ones to Follow
Several horses emerged from this card screaming 'back me next time' in big red letters. Top of the list has to be anything that ran well in the opener - that looked a red-hot handicap that will throw up winners all season.
The Wise Traveller particularly caught the eye as a potential improver. Jamie Gambin's mount was thrown in off just 94, and if he's learned from his recent experiences, he could be one for the notebook going forward.
From the marathon chase, Esperti under Sean Bowen looks a horse on the upgrade. The way he's been finishing his races suggests a win isn't far away, and Bowen's booking was significant - the Welsh wizard doesn't waste his time on no-hopers.
But the real future winner might be Jamada in the maiden hurdle. This well-bred sort has been showing plenty at home according to stable whispers, and Sean Bowen taking the ride suggests connections expect a big run.
Looking Ahead
Several of today's performers will be heading to bigger and better things in the coming weeks. The Cheltenham Festival may be done and dusted, but Aintree and Punchestown beckon for the progressive types.
Natus Vincere looks tailor-made for a mares' contest at one of the spring festivals if connections are ambitious. The way she's been progressing suggests she's ready to step up in class.
The handicappers from the opener will be ones to watch at the upcoming weekend meetings - Sandown, Newbury and Ayr all have similar contests coming up where today's lessons could prove invaluable.
And don't sleep on the hunters' chase performers either. That Turner Trophy contest might have looked modest on paper, but it often throws up horses capable of mixing it in better company later in the season.
Final Verdict
What a way to spend a Monday afternoon! Exeter's card delivered everything you could want from a day's racing - competitive fields, progressive horses, and enough future winners to keep the form book busy for months.
The ground was perfect, the racing was honest, and the quality was streets ahead of your typical Monday fare. Days like this remind you why National Hunt racing is the greatest show on earth.
Roll on the next meeting - if it's half as good as this, we're in for a treat!
