Exeter 15:00
An open-looking handicap chase and I’m going to take a chance on Steel Express at a massive price in a race that Paddy is paying an extra place. He runs here off a mark of 92 and that makes some appeal considering he was second twice over hurdles last season off marks of 98 and 99.
One of those seconds was here at Exeter and he did win a bumper here as well, so the track clearly suits. He was up against much classier types last time at Chepstow and unseated his rider at the start on his run previous to that at here at Exeter.
This is only his fourth chase start and he looks worth taking a chance on at a big price, in a race full of exposed types.
Navan 16:40
Not many of the field bring good recent form to the table here but a case can be made for Mr Diablo running well at a fair price. He was second in last year’s Troytown off a mark of 133, with the winner, Tout Est Permis, now rated 15 pounds higher. In third that day was Magic Of Light, who went on to run second in the Grand National and is now rated 22 pounds higher.
Mr Diablo was only 8/1 when eighth in last year’s Thyestes and ran a very fair race when seventh in this year’s renewal of the Troytown. He now finds himself five pounds lower than his run in the Troytown and he might be able to dominate this field of veterans from the front.
Put Frank’s picks to the test over on paddypower.com