2:15 Exeter
Not a great race for me over the years. And given that I backed Cue Card to win the Festival Bumper at 80/1 you'd think I just back him blind every time he runs. In fact, not doing so has been expensive, and here I am again! You have to think he could be rusty here, even allowing that he comes back from injury at his age. The trainer is hardly firing in the winners either. Hinterland a worry down the bottom but the two to make my book are Balder Success, impressive last year and, if there's a helluva pace, God's Own to pick up the pieces.
Balder Success 8pts win at 3/1
God's Own 4pts win at 13/2
Nice start. Cue Card very well backed and God's Own very weak (happy to take best odds guaranteed). Given it was 2m and there wasn't that much pace this was very good from God's Own. He and Balder Success can kick on. 36pts back.
2:45 Exeter
Carole's Destrier comes here fit and without a penalty, after a very nice pipe opener. Of course a couple of these can reach greater heights over fences than they did over hurdles - King likes Carraig Mor apparently - but they're going to need to. That potential seems more than accounted for in the price - what we can call a big stable/jockey premium - allowing Mullholland's horse to go off at a backable price.
Caroles Destrier 12pts win at 9/4
Even nicer. If in Doubt's early fall left us with a match. Carraig Mor looks like he might be OK, Carole's Destrier jumped much better though. 39 pts back. A pleasing day!
Running totals:
Out 190pts
In 322pts