High-class chase prospect McFabulous out to make amends for Wincanton blip

Monday: 1.30 Exeter
RGB Building Supplies Adier Rayner Novices’ Chase | 2m3f | 4yo+ | RTV

There's a fascinating clash in store between three high-class hurdlers who are all expected to develop into better chasers this season.

McFabulous, officially 6lb superior to Camprond, makes a quick return after fluffing his lines as 4-6 favourite for the Grade 2 'Rising Stars' Novices’ Chase at Wincanton this month.

The four-time Grade 2 winner over hurdles was pulled up with more than a circuit to travel, his rider Harry Cobden reportedly unhappy with the slippery surface.

He’s likely to start a warm favourite but, equally, there will be plenty of punters unwilling to risk him at short odds after his Wincanton experience.

The JP McManus-owned Camprond didn’t achieve as much on paper at McFabulous as a hurdler, but there was plenty to like about the manner of his Punchestown success in April.

Firmly on top at the finish that day, the son of Lope De Vega had previously finished an excellent fourth in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham, and should enjoy another highly productive campaign.

Unexpected Party (grey): makes his chase debutCredit: Edward Whitaker

Dan Skelton’s Unexpected Party was progressing nicely last season until pulled up in the Coral Cup.

He started two points shorter than Camprond at 8-1 that day, and underwent wind surgery over the summer.

Unexpected Party is usually held up in his races, while both McFabulous, who made all in a four-runner Sandown Grade 2 in April, and Camprond have gone from the front, so a good test looks likely.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Camprond
He's in good form. He's schooled well over fences and everything seems to have gone fine so far. We're looking forward to going over fences and his hurdles form was strong, but you could say the same thing about Paul's horse [McFabulous].

Paul Nicholls, trainer of McFabulous
It was a balls-up at Wincanton last time. He slipped in the home straight and Harry [Cobden] pulled him up. He's been 100 per cent since then. He's schooled well and Exeter is a lovely jumping track. Hopefully everything goes well this time.

Helen Nelmes, trainer of Merchant In Milan
He's in fine form and jumps like a buck, but I don't know if we've seen enough rain for him to run. If the owners want to run, then we will, but he needs a bit of cut in the ground and it looks like it'll be good. He was off the track for a long time previously and I wouldn't want to break him.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Unexpected Party
He's good and is starting off in his chasing career, but it looks a very deep race with Camprond and McFabulous in there, so it will give us an early sighter to see where we stand with him in this division. His schooling has been really good and I don't really have any negatives to say about him.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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