13:50 Exeter
Cash And Go moved from the Nicky Henderson yard to Venetia Williams last year to go chasing and when he completed the course he was a decent prospect. However, his jumping was a bit of a liability at times and he unseated his twice in five starts. Of the remaining three races he was second once and a winner on the other two occasions which showed his ability given a clear round of jumping. He has been off the course for over two hundred days though and this looks to be on the short side for him. The pace is sure to be decent which will test his jumping and it is too big a chance to take that he doesn't make a big error.
Solar Impulse for Paul Nicholls ran in some pretty good races last year but was never quite good enough to get involved. He was third of three on his seasonal reappearance at Haydock and although he should strip a lot fitter for that race, he is hard to fancy especially given the heavy going.
Kylemore Lough is ow trained by Kerry Lee and won a novices' chase last time out at Uttoxeter over two and a half miles. He has taken a big jump in the weights due to that win and this is also a marked step up in class. He does receive weight from his three rivals and as a six year old is open to plenty of improvement, however I think he is going to have to come on a considerable amount to win this today.
Dunraven Storm for Philip Hobbs has been really consistent this year without getting his head in front, although he has raced in some better races than today. He was second to the impressive Dresden last time out at Ascot. He beat Vibrato Valtat over two miles last year which highlights his credentials and I am confident this is a good distance for him. He has won on soft ground in the past so even though today's conditions are even heavier, it can be safely assumed that he will handle them as least as well as his rivals here. Putting it all together I think he has a great chance to take this today and at the prices represents a significant but of value.
England Tour of South Africa
We are getting a little bit ahead of ourselves here but England begin their tour of South Africa in earnest with the first test being on Boxing Day and I have a selection I'd like to get in early. We collected very nicely in the summer on Stuart Broad to be top bowler of the Ashes series and given the pace and bounce of the pitches in South Africa, I think he will have another excellent series. He is priced as 2/1 to be England top wicket taker of the series in what is in my opinion a straight up match bet with Anderson, and one I think he will win. Therefore this is excellent value and a bet I am keen to get involved with at this early stage.
South Africa are rightly clear favourites to win the series given their number one test ranking and home advantage. However, they have just been thumped three nil by India and their batting has a very fragile look to it. Vernon Phillander looks like he's going to miss the first two tests and Dale Steyn is a doubt for the opening test beginning on Boxing Day. With both of those quick bowlers out England would have a great chance of taking the series lead and I like the bet of Stuart Broad to be England's top wicket taker in the first innings and England to win the test at 7/1.
Today's Selections
Exeter 13:50 - Dunraven Storm - 2 points @ 9/4 (Ladbrokes, Coral)
England v South Africa - Stuart Broad top England wicket taker in the series - 3 points @ 2/1 (888Sport, Unibet, 32red)
England v South Africa - Stuart Broad top first innings wickets for England and England win - 1 point @ 7/1 (Paddy Power)