Oscar-winning show is in store
FINIAN’S OSCAR would be a poignant winner on the first day of the November meeting at Cheltenham following the death of owner Alan Potts.
The five-year-old contests the Steel Plate And Sections Novices’ Chase and despite not particularly impressing with his early jumping on his chase bow at Chepstow, he had certainly warmed to his task by the finish, winning by 11 lengths.
He had any amount in hand at the line and should score again in what is another valuable learning experience.
Exitas has been in flying form of late and can continue to make hay in the BetVictor Handicap Chase.
He has won three of his last four starts, with that sole defeat coming when he crashed out during a bad day at the office at Uttoxeter in September.
Two subsequent wins suggest that experience has not left its mark, with this seven-length victory in a Listed heat at Ascot at the start of the month particularly taxing.
He shrugged off an 8lb rise that day and will have to contend with a further 10lb hike here, but he remains on an upward curve and can meet the challenge again.
Momella is on a roll and can gain her biggest success yet in the Grade Two Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
She beat Brillare Momento, who has since won at Cheltenham, on her hurdles bow before a short break through the high summer months.
Momella then beat an odds-on shot on her return to action at Fakenham last month and that 17-length verdict should have put her spot on for this run.
Urgent De Gregaine struck gold over the banks course back in January and he should make his presence felt again in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.
Part Exchange made quite an impact on her racecourse bow and she can improve on that winning debut with victory in the 32Red.com/ British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap at Lingfield.
Clearly Hugo Palmer’s charge is at something of a disadvantage in terms of experience against some well-travelled rivals in this 10-furlong heat, but there was plenty of promise in her initial six-length triumph.
A Juddmonte homebred, Part Exchange counts Group Three winner Distain amongst her siblings and she certainly seemed to have inherited some family ability when strolling away with what was only an average maiden at best.