'He has plenty going for him' - trainer quotes for the novice handicap at Exeter

Friday: 1.15 Exeter
Virgin Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase | 3m | 5yo+ | RTV

Dr Kananga is rapidly climbing the ranks for Ben Clarke and bids to defy a mark 22lb higher than for the first of his two victories last month.

He sauntered home from Poppa Poutine on soft ground at Sandown last time and that horse franked the form when scoring at Wincanton on Thursday.

On the visual impression of that performance, he is weighted to go close off a career-high mark of 135 but this might be an above-average novice handicap chase.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Valsheda appeals as one we are yet to see the best of and he rates a dangerous opponent.

A winning novice hurdler last season, the seven-year-old was sent off 3-1 favourite to make a perfect transition to chasing but fell at the 13th in a Newbury novice.

He was jumping well until that point and managed a clear round on his next start at Kempton. Having been off the bridle early, Valsheda made eyecatching late headway in the home straight to get within a length and a half of Colin Tizzard's well-regarded Killer Kane.

This will be the first time Valsheda has run on soft ground but conditions could extract further improvement and he remains deeply unexposed.

New Age Dawning was the 10-1 outsider of three when causing a surprise at Ffos Las last time and the handicapper has raised him only 1lb for his defeat of Gustavian and Emir Sacree.

There is mileage in that rating but he was a fortunate winner there and still has to prove his suitability to three miles.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Ben Clarke, trainer of Dr Kananga
He’s up 10lb but I don’t think that would have stopped him last time. We would have preferred going left-handed but we don’t have too many concerns and we’ll be disappointed if he’s not bang there again. It’s his first run against novices and we’ll make plenty of use of his jumping. The soft ground is important so he has plenty going for him.

Tim Vaughan, trainer of Eva’s Oskar
It looks a competitive race but he raced a bit lazily last time so we’re putting a visor on him for the first time. He schooled this morning and is in a good place. Conditions should suit him as he likes soft ground and has run well at the track in the past.

Jonjo O’Neill, trainer of Morning Spirit
He ran well at the track last time when second in a race that is working out well and he should have a good chance of going one better.

David Pipe, trainer of El Paso Wood and New Age Dawning
El Paso Wood has been knocking at the door and likes the track and the trip. He would have an each-way chance. The softer the better for New Age Dawning and the step up to three miles should suit him. He’s not been the easiest horse to train but goes there in good shape.

Stuart Edmunds, trainer of Young Offender
He’s been racing a bit lazily of late so we’re trying the visor on him. The track suits him well but he didn’t get the trip here last time over three miles and six. Dr Kananga looks hard to beat but hopefully we’ll get some prize-money.
Reporting by David Milnes

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