'Really exciting' Sporting John clashes with Fiddlerontheroof on chasing bow

3.10 ExeterRacing TV HD On Sky 426 Beginners' Chase | 2m3f | 4yo+ | RTV

Exeter is known to be a popular spot for chasing debutants. It is where useful prospects will face fierce competition and easy fences, which is deemed the right way around at this stage in their development.

This race was won last year by Esprit Du Large but has also been the stage for some shock defeats. Yanworth and Aux Ptits Soins have been beaten at cramped odds in recent years.

Yanworth is the epitome of his type: a talented but somewhat quirky hurdler who could go either way over fences and was duly given a fairly soft introduction at Exeter. Watch out for those, but it seems unlikely that either Fiddlerontheroof or Sporting John will fall into that category.

Fiddlerontheroof: capturing the Grade 1 Tolworth HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

In the case of Fiddlerontheroof, he has already shown some aptitude for his new discipline. He jumped pretty well when beaten by If The Cap Fits at Ffos Las and was done for speed above all.

If the race were priced up on long-term potential, Sporting John would be clear favourite. He is a chaser all over, from his sire (Getaway) to his jumps family, pointing background and size.

He fluffed his lines at Cheltenham, but had looked such a mighty prospect up to then that he was sent off second favourite to Envoi Allen. If you can only watch one thing in this race, make it how Sporting John jumps.

Among the other four declared runners, Silver Hallmark (whose defeat of McFabulous is a little flattering) and Ostuni have the potential to stay with the big two until they start to drag up Exeter's finishing straight, but any more than that is likely to be indicative of a messy race or some performances that come in below expectations.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

What they say

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Fiddlerontheroof
We were really pleased with his comeback run at Ffos Las behind If The Cap Fits. He jumped beautifully, travelled and it was a good performance behind a horse who was once rated 166. We think he wants this sort of trip and we are running here rather than Cheltenham at the weekend.

Robert Walford, trainer of One For Dunstan
We are in the ridiculous situation of having to run our 93-rated horse against those rated 150 due to lack of opportunities. We had him in a 0-105 handicap chase at Stratford last week only for it to be called off and there isn't anywhere else he can run. If he can get fourth we'll be delighted.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Silver Hallmark
He won well at Chepstow and then disappointed us in the Tolworth last season after which we ran out of options as he needs soft ground. He's been schooling nicely over fences and this looks a nice starting point for him although it looks a tough race with Fiddlerontheroof and Sporting John in there. He could do with a drop of rain if he is to take his chance as it may be a bit quick for him at present.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Sporting John
He's a really exciting horse to go novice chasing with and we are starting him off at a track he likes. He was slightly lame in one of his hind legs after he finished seventh in the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival but within a few hours he was fine. He's been going well at home.

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