Overtown Express bids to follow up Newbury win in graduation match

Overtown Express: faces just one rival in the graduation chase at ExeterCredit: Alan Crowhurst

2.05 Exeter
188Bet Graduation Chase | 2m1f | RUK

Overtown Express, impressive winner of a Newbury handicap chase on Ladbrokes Trophy day earlier this month, faces only one rival, Le Rocher, as he bids to follow up at Exeter.

Graduation chases have struggled to attract runners this season – for instance, the Kempton equivalent last month was a match between Whisper and Clan Des Obeaux – and just two line up here from an original entry of seven.

However, both are useful performers with the potential to progress further over fences, and Harry Fry, trainer of Overtown Express, is hopeful he has found a solid opportunity for his nine-year-old.

“We were thrilled with his reappearance win at Newbury in a nice two-mile handicap chase,” he said on Wednesday. “The rise in the weights was inevitable and he's now off a career-high mark of 150, so a graduation chase fits in perfectly.

“It’s a match, and they're tricky enough races. It would be nice if Overtown Express could back up his Newbury run.”

The Nick Williams-trained Le Rocher makes his debut over fences after a successful career over hurdles which yielded wins in Britain at Chepstow, Cheltenham and Uttoxeter.

He receives 11lb from his sole rival and, if the pair both run to form, there shouldn’t be a great deal between them.

The Kempton match produced a good duel up the home straight, and Exeter clerk of the course Barry Johnson is certainly hoping for an exciting race despite the tiny field.

“Nobody seems to get more than two or three runners for graduation chases these days,” he said. “We’re not the only ones. You just have to go with the flow, I suppose.

“We weren’t expecting more than two or three runners. They’re both good horses, and it should be a good race.

“All told we’ve got a cracking card, which we’re very pleased about.”

Exeter graduation chase field sizes last decade

2017 2*

2016 3

2015 4

2014 3

2013 4

2011 4

2010 5

2009 5

2008 6