Obeaux music to the ears for Exeter punters

Ideal opportunity for Paul Nicholls’ runner to get back on track

CLAN DES OBEAUX can get his campaign back on track in the Higos Insurance Services Novices’ Chase at Exeter.

Paul Nicholls’ runner appeared to be a possible Festival challenger when running out a wide-margin winner of a Newbury Grade two in November, but things have not really gone to plan since.

He was turned over as an odds-on favourite at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. But, given he was beaten just a nose by subsequent RSA Chase second Whisper, the form of that effort looks particularly strong, and he was duly sent off the market leader for a Grade One heat at Sandown last month.

He turned in a shocking run that day to finish last of five but the soft ground was probably not ideal, and Nicholls’ yard was hardly firing on all cylinders at the time either.

Clearly Clan Des Obeaux had excuses, so he really should be setting the record straight here as he is vastly favoured by the conditions of the race.

BINDON MILL shaped with plenty of promise when a nine-length winner at Exeter in January, and can follow up in the Higos Insurance Services Exeter Interactive Handicap Chase.

PETETHEPEAR could be worth following as he makes a belated start to his career over fences in the Watch Racing UK In Glorious HD Novices’ Chase at Wetherby.

Stuart Edmunds had already set out his chasing plans for this runner when he claimed a tidy hurdles victory at Haydock last March, but he proved pretty lacklustre on his return over the smaller obstacles.

Beating one home at Cheltenham last October, Petethepear folded tamely in the finish. The fact he has not run since then suggests something may have been amiss that day.

Petethepear looked the type to make the switch to fences with the minimum of fuss last term, so he can seize his chance to shine here.

SELECTIONS EXETER: 2.00 Taurian, 2.30 The Two Amigos, 3.05 Steel City, 3.40 Clan Des Obeaux, 4.15 Bindon Mill, 4.50 Kapgarde King, 5.25 Silver Hollow.

WETHERBY: 2.20 Bear River, 2.50 Petethepear, 3.25 Cave Top, 4.00 Gold Ingot, 4.35 Broadway Belle, 5.10 Ask Paddy, 5.40 Captain Woodie.

DOUBLE: Quixote and Clan Des Obeaux