Hi,
Please see below my one tip for Sunday:
Exod’ela – 3.35 Lingfield – 3m 4F Handicap Chase – 25/1 Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook, Betfred – 5 Places – 1 Point Each Way.
This is the Sussex National, and on the prevailing heavy going it will take some getting.
The favourite, Go Whatever, won the Warwick Classic decisively over this trip earlier in January, but I’m concerned he is making a quickish return just 21 days later. Especially when his trainer, Chris Gordon, stated he would need time off to recover.
I like the novice chaser, Exod’ela, who has run just three times over fences. He was a fair hurdler, postmarking a high of 124, and acted well on deep winter ground over staying trips.
He must have been showing a lot at home, as on his second chase, over 4 miles off a mark of 114, he was backed into favourite, but didn’t jump with any fluency losing considerable ground throughout the race. Under the circumstances, the defeat, by only 11 lengths, was quite an achievement.
I always remember Ruby Walsh stating that cheekpieces help a horse make a cut at his fences (attack his fences), which is exactly what Exod’ela needs, so seeing the cheekpieces being re-applied today will be hugely beneficial to his chances.
Today Exod’ela runs off 109 and gets in here off the bottom weight of 10st, which will be a huge advantage in the testing conditions.
He looks nicely handicapped and if his jumping just slightly improves, he has a huge chance at 25/1 with Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook, or Betfred, who all offer 5 places.
I, therefore, recommend 1 point each way.
He still looks value at 16/1.
