Can quicker ground enable Neo King to turn the tables on old rivals in marathon handicap chase?

There are a handful of races over this extreme distance at Exeter and the same horses tend to turn up time and again. The last such race was 30 days ago and three of the first four that day make up half of this six-runner field.

Art Decco led home Neo King that day, as he had led him for most of the race, but both are now non-runners this afternoon. Planned Paradise seemed to just struggle to get home in fourth, but the ground then was heavy, while the going description for this meeting includes the word 'firm', albeit in its mildest form.

That changes things and gives Planned Paradise more hope of getting home, and it means the advantage towards prominent racers is not as baked in.

The other three runners come here with something to recommend them in most cases. Yes Day took a big step forward at Hereford 15 days ago and has tended to do his best work away from the mud. Musical Slave is a dual course winner who has failed to stay in these marathons, albeit in deep ground. Six of the best seven runs of Concetto's life, and three of his four wins, have been over staying trips at right-handed tracks away from testing ground.

There will not be another one of these races at Exeter until next season but there are plenty of second-tier marathons to come this spring. This race could well inform some of those, with plenty of these runners still unexposed or improving.
Analysis by Keith Melrose

What they say

Jonjo O'Neill, joint-trainer of Yes Day
He shaped as if this step up in trip would suit him when winning over three miles and a furlong at Hereford last time and if he does like it he's got every chance.

Philip Hobbs, joint-trainer of Musical Slave
He won very well at Taunton last time over this sort of trip and he's come out of that in good shape. He goes there with another good shout.
Reporting by David Milnes

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