Devon Delivers the Goods
What a grand way to spend a Sunday afternoon down in Devon! Exeter served up a proper feast of National Hunt action that had everything you'd want from a late May card - competitive handicaps, progressive novices, and that lovely going description that had the horses flying over their obstacles.
The ground played fair all day, sitting on the good side with some quicker patches that kept the pace honest without jarring the legs. Perfect conditions for late spring racing, and it showed in the quality of performance we witnessed across the six-race programme.
Prince of Wales Cup - The Main Event
The feature Prince of Wales Cup over two and a half miles of chase track was always going to be the race that set pulses racing, and by Christ it didn't disappoint on paper. Coastguard Station topped the weights at 124, and there's good reason for that - this David Noonan-trained gelding has been knocking on the door in better company than this.
The real eye-catcher for me though was Hurricane Bay with Tom Cannon doing the steering. Rated 122, this one's been campaigned shrewdly and looks to be coming to the boil at just the right time. The booking of Cannon tells you everything - they fancy their chances here, and rightly so.
Nickelforce under Harry Bannister couldn't be ignored either at 115. Sometimes these lightly-raced types can surprise when the handicapper hasn't quite got their measure yet. Worth keeping a close eye on where this one pops up next - could be value for money if connections find the right spot.
Ones to Follow - The Progressive Sorts
If you're looking for horses to mark your card for future reference, start with An Bradan Feasa in the Queen's Dragoon Guards Handicap Hurdle. Sean Bowen in the saddle, rated 116, and the way this one's been campaigned suggests there's more to come. The name's Irish for 'The Salmon of Knowledge' - let's hope it lives up to the billing!
Dancing Dame in the mares' maiden caught my attention too. Jonathan Burke knows his way around a horse, and at 111 she's clearly shown enough at home to warrant that rating. Mares can be tricky customers, but when they're good, they're very good indeed.
Don't overlook Madajovy either in the opener. Jack Quinlan's booking and that 100 rating suggests this novice handicapper has been working well. These Sunday cards at Exeter can often be the launching pad for horses heading to bigger things through the summer.
Jockey Watch and Stable Form
Speaking of jockeys, it was a day when experience told. Sean Bowen had a couple of tasty rides and you can bet he made the most of them. The man's riding with real confidence this season, and his partnership with some shrewd trainers is paying dividends.
Charlie Hammond was another to watch closely - three rides on the card including Dame In Disguise and Hello Sweety. When a jockey gets multiple bookings like that, it usually means the horses are fancied by connections.
The female jockeys' handicap hurdle was a cracking addition to the card. Nottodaybobo with Alice Stevens looked the pick on ratings at 99, but these races can throw up surprises. Fair play to Exeter for putting on a race that gives the ladies a proper platform to showcase their skills.
Looking Ahead - Where Next?
The beauty of a card like this is that it often serves as a stepping stone to bigger things. Keep an eye on today's runners when the summer festivals come around. Horses that run well at Exeter in late May often find their way to the likes of Worcester, Newton Abbot, and even the summer meetings at the bigger tracks.
Hurricane Bay in particular looks like one that could step up in class if connections are ambitious. The Prince of Wales Cup has been a good guide to better things in the past, and this year's renewal looked competitive enough to throw up a future winner or two.
The novices from today's card will be worth following into the autumn when the proper National Hunt season gets underway. Exeter's a grand schooling ground, and horses that learn their trade here often come back stronger and wiser.
Sunday Verdict
All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon's racing down in Devon. The going was spot on, the fields were competitive, and there was enough quality on show to keep the most discerning punter happy. Days like this remind you why National Hunt racing remains the king of sports - honest horses, skilled jockeys, and that indefinable magic that only jumping provides.
Mark your cards for the progressive types, keep an eye on where they turn up next, and raise a glass to Exeter for serving up a proper Sunday treat. Roll on the next time we get down to this grand old track - it rarely disappoints, and today was no exception to that fine tradition.
