Exeter best bets (1540): Take Your Time can carry Harry Cobden to Devon National glory
Sunday inspection called ahead of Exeter card
Eight capable chasers line up for the gruelling Devon National, and they will all have high hopes of landing the biggest prize on Exeter’s Friday afternoon card.
15:40 Exeter: My Pension Expert Devon National Handicap Chase (3 miles 6½ furlongs)
Three of the eight runners are available at double-digit odds, and that has sparked the interest of Tipstrr’s each-way specialists, with Golden Sovereign and Lyrical Genius both attracting plenty of outsider support.
Lyrical Genius won on both his bumper and hurdling debuts, but has yet to score in eight attempts over fences, although he did come agonisingly close to breaking his duck at Carlisle in October, when he was just caught on the line.
He has proved a tricky ride in the past, but Lilly Pinchin must be used to his idiosyncrasies by now, and if she can coax him all the way round, then he might just be a surprise package under bottom weight in what are likely to be testing conditions.
Suggested outsider punt: Lyrical Genius each-way in the 15:40 at Exeter
- Tip advised by The Profit Rocket on Tipstrr
However, the more realistic prospects lie at the top of the betting, where Robyndzone could prove dangerous as he looks to add to his impressive 5/11 record over fences, including last time out in a higher-class affair at Haydock, where he plugged on to win by eight lengths in similar conditions to these.
Higher still in the market, Track And Trace looks likely to be wearing the favourite tag at the off after landing the North Yorkshire Grand National in impressive style at Catterick six weeks ago.
Just getting our final nod, however, is the Paul Nicholls-trained Take Your Time, with the in-form trainer teaming up again with the equally red-hot Harry Cobden, who is looking to extend his slender lead at the top of the champion jockey table.
His chances of doing so look good on this nine-year-old, who kicked off his campaign with a comfortable win under Cobden at Newton Abbot in October, before winning even more impressively for Bryony Frost at Wincanton next time out.
Cobden was back in the saddle for his most recent effort at that same course three weeks ago, when he looked out of sorts and was pulled up a couple out.
Clearly that disappointment has been swept away as a forgivable blip, and Nicholls would be unlikely to push him over this gruelling test if connections were not confident that he can get back on track off a still workable mark.
Suggested best bet: Take Your Time to win the 15:40 at Exeter
- Tip advised by HorseForaCourse on Tipstrr
READ MORE: Exeter racing tips: Best bets for Friday February 23
