Dante third has first start for Royal Ascot-winning connections and filly named after Phil Foden makes debut

Punting pointers for Wednesday's meetings . . .

Exeter: ideal conditions for course winner

The warm and dry spell has meant conditions have come right for A Definite Getaway in the feature 3m handicap chase (4.25).

The seven-year-old is only rated 1lb higher than when successful over course and distance in October, and the third and fourth from that race are now rated 6lb and 3lb higher respectively having both won since.

A Definite Getaway runs on similarly quick ground as his last success here and is the mount of Sean Bowen.

Joint-trainer Mickey Bowen said: “He doesn’t like it soft. His form has turned out quite well and he’s been a proper, consistent horse. He was second at Doncaster last time behind The Kniphand.” 

That Doncaster winner was placed on his next two starts, including when chasing home Moroder in the Grimthorpe off a 4lb higher mark at the same venue.

Exeter stat: combination to watch

Luke Scott is 6-20 (30 per strike-rate) for trainer Jennie Candlish. He partners Broderick in the 2m5½f novice handicap hurdle (3.25).

Broderick15:25 Exeter

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Jky: Luke Scott (3lb)Tnr: Jennie Candlish

Gowran Park: Dante third makes debut for new connections

The closing 1m6f contest (7.15) is the most valuable on the seven-race card and features a host of recognisable names including Group 1 winner Helvic Dream and 2021 Chester Cup hero Falcon Eight.

Helvic Dream has only won one Flat race since landing the Tattersalls Gold Cup four years ago and was last seen finishing fifth in a Grade 3 Navan novice hurdle in November. His trainer Noel Meade also runs Jesse Evans.

War Rooms is the most intriguing of the nine runners, though, having been bought for 155,000gns to run for the Wear A Pink Ribbon syndicate, who enjoyed Royal Ascot success last summer with Crystal Black. 

The four-year-old was ninth in the King Edward VII Stakes, won by Calandagan, at that royal meeting when trained by Owen Burrows and has to be of interest on his first start for the father-and-son combination of Ger and Colin Keane. He will be hard to beat on the basis of his third to Economics in last season’s Dante at York.

Ludlow: Cheltenham Festival formline

Destroytheevidence gave 8lb and a two-length beating to subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Haiti Couleurs at Chepstow in October and is rated only 6lb higher for that success, whereas the runner-up now has a 20lb higher rating.

On that form, it is unsurprising that the Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls-trained seven-year-old is odds-on in the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Boyne Cup (3.45), especially with his opposition reduced to just two rivals with Java Point and Good Boy Bobby both non-runners.

Annsam is rated 5lb lower than when winning this £18,000 prize in 2023, while Straw Fan Jack is 11lb lower than when finishing third in the Plate at last year's Cheltenham Festival. Therefore, both are handicapped to go well but for good reason as the pair have been winless in their last 18 combined starts.

Ludlow stat: follow-up bid

Kevin Philippart de Foy's jumps record is 1-3 (33 per cent strike-rate) and D Day Arvalenreeva bids to defy a 7lb penalty in the mares' handicap hurdle (4.15).

D Day Arvalenreeva16:15 Ludlow

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Jky: Jack Quinlan Tnr: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Musselburgh: newcomer to note 

Filly Foden, named after Manchester City and England star Phil Foden, makes her debut in the 5f novice (2.07). 

The Alice Haynes-trained daughter of Ardad cost £25,000 at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale at Doncaster last August and is the latest City-themed name owners Middleham Park Racing have given to one of their string after the likes of The Strikin Viking, De Bruyne Horse, Sergeant Pep and Blueflagflyinghigh.

Phil Foden: filly named after the Premier League and international footballer makes her debutCredit: Tom Flathers

Middleham Park's director of racing Tim Palin said: “We bid £22,000 on the filly, but subsequently found out Alice had bought her on spec, so we were happy to come aboard. She is looking super sharp just like her namesake. 

"Her syndicate was quickly sold out, such was the interest from City fans. The lucrative Weatherbys Super Sprint is a possible midsummer target, a race we’ve won before with Eddie's Boy."

Southwell: four-timer bid

The Pompey Ventures syndicate were narrowly denied in last Saturday’s Lincoln when Oliver Show was beaten a nose by Godwinson.

However, any tinge of disappointment may have been lessened by Tuco Salamanca completing a hat-trick at Newcastle later that day.

The Ollie Sangster-trained three-year-old is unbeaten since undergoing wind surgery, with the winning sequence starting in a Kempton maiden in February. A successful handicap debut at Wolverhampton followed and the son of Belardo will attempt to make it four wins in a row at four different tracks in the mile handicap (4.55).

Tuco Salamanca has to concede upwards of 4lb to his 12 rivals, including last-time-out course-and-distance winners Everyoneknowsadave and West Tyrone, but PJ McDonald remains on board the 6lb penalised runner.

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