DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
TUESDAY MARCH 18
2.00 WETHERBY
MISTER SMARTY (best price 7-2) has been holding his form together nicely in recent times and arriving here following another solid effort at Newcastle last time out, Tina Jackson’s gelding rates a reasonable bet at the morning prices to back up his previous victory over today’s C&D earlier in the campaign.
Quite impressive when off the mark for the first time at Newcastle back in December, the chestnut came to today’s venue in a bid to follow up 10 days later and despite one or two sticky jumps here and there, he still managed to land the quick-fire double with a bit to spare.
Although he hasn’t added to his winning tally in three starts since, the son of Black Sam Bellamy has hit the frame each time and having accounted for today’s favourite, V Twelve, to the tune of six lengths last time, it doesn’t make too much sense why he is a bigger price than his old rival to do so again on their rematch.
MISTER SMARTY – 1-point win@7-2
4.27 EXETER
The race won by King Of The Lake here 11 days was noted for its strong speed figure for the grade and a chance is taken on TEORIE (best price 14-1) to provide a good guide to the form on his return to the west country venue.
Although beaten over 20 lengths by the in-form west country-based horse, he still produced a final circuit time comparable to the rest of the winners on the card and, as he also shaped like he might be better served by further than two miles further down the line, today’s extra half a mile might well work out in his favour.
A dual winner over hurdles for Fergal O’Brien and good enough to finish only five lengths behind the useful Golden Maverick this time last year, he is now with a handler who has done quite well with limited resources (Chicago Storm done well for same connections this season) and she should be able to get the best out of him at some stage while in her care.
TEORIE – ½ point each-way@14-1