Referendum to get the Midnight vote?

Midnightreferendum can strike gold at Listed level in the Join Racing TV Now Mares’ Chase at Exeter tomorrow.

Alan King’s eight-year-old was good enough to finish second in the Grade Two mares’ bumper at Aintree back in 2018 and while she did not really set the world alight over hurdles, she still won twice, albeit at a fairly average level.

Midnightreferendum has shaped with some promise over fences this term though, cantering home by 18 lengths on her initial outing, looking an absolute natural with a fine round of jumping.

However, she failed to build on that at Huntingdon as she came down at the thirdlast when still travelling well enough.

That proved a momentary aberration as she certainly made no mistakes in a Warwick Listed chase next time out, merely finding the classy Zambella too good – a similar situation to when third behind Annie Mc on her most recent outing.

Beaten 25 lengths at Doncaster, Midnightreferendum could have been a bit closer had she not been badly hampered by a faller, so her performance can be upgraded a notch and she might have the necessary improvement to make her mark here.

Findusatgorcombe can make his light weight tell in the Thank You NHS Devon National Handicap Chase.

The three miles and six furlongs will take some getting in soft ground, but Jimmy Frost’s charge has already proved this particular stamina test is his cup of tea with a narrow victory in December.

He beat the reopposing Dawson City a head and they meet on the virtually same terms, so you would think Findusatgorcombe could at least confirm that form.

The eight-year-old subsequently came off second best at Wincanton last month, but switching back up from a three miles and a furlong should help his cause.

Benatar disappointed when pulled up on his latest start but should be given chance to redeem himself in the Budbrooke Handicap Chase at Warwick.

The nine-year-old has been highly tried by Gary Moore and counts a Grade Two win, as well as a third place in Grade One company, on his record, but has had his progression hampered by a two-year absence.

Benatar impressed on his return from that spell on the sidelines when third in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, racing prominently before just running out of petrol at the finish, hanging on for a fine third.

He was pulled up at the start of this month though, fading a fair way from home on what was very deep ground at Sandown, so perhaps a better surface here can help him get back on track.