4.10 Exeter: Paul Nicholls unleashes exciting chaser in Tuesday's best race

Best Mate Beginners' Chase | 2m1½f | 4yo+ | RTV

Why is it interesting?

Paul Nicholls prepares to give excellent novice hurdler Southfield Stone his first start over fences in a race which has graced quite a few star jumpers down the years, none more so than the horse who this event is named after, the three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate.

Henrietta Knight’s legendary chaser began his chasing career when taking this contest in 2000, while other smart types to have won include Yanworth and Southfield Stone’s stablemate Old Guard.

Southfield Stone, who won the Grade 2 Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton in February, has placed Grade 1 form behind Elixir De Nutz in Sandown's Tolworth Hurdle, but he hasn't been seen since finishing 20 lengths behind Felix Desjy at Aintree in April.

After unseating Leighton Aspell at Fontwell last October, The Mighty Don's chasing career was put on hold after just one start. The seven-year-old now prepares to reboot his career over fences after an excellent campaign bookended by an eighth-placed finish behind Paisley Park in the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Litterale Ci and Thistle Do Nicely have each had one chase start but will need to show a better aptitude for jumping fences, while the Jane Williams-trained Moonlighter will take to the track for the first time without his regular rider Lizzie Kelly, who is out injured.

What do the stats say?

Paul Nicholls' horses are in great form with the champion trainer returning a 25 per cent strike-rate over the last two weeks. Stable jockey Harry Cobden has been the primary beneficiary, riding all eight Nicholls winners in that period.

Paul Nicholls: saddles Southfield Stone at Exeter, where he has a winning ratio of almost 1 in 4Credit: Edward Whitaker

The trainer also has an excellent record at Exeter, where he has saddled 162 winners from 661 runners.

Jamie Snowden, trainer of Thistle Do Nicely, is in even better form as evidenced by his 31 per cent strike in the last fortnight.

Three of the five winners of this race have been odds-on, while Southfield Stone is a perfect three from three on going described as good.

What do the trainers say?

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Southfield Stone
It was amazing how well he did for us last year. He's been in work for three months but for whatever reason he always looks like a tank; he's just that sort of big, deep-girthed horse. He will certainly improve for the run and Exeter is a great place to start for novice chasers.

Nick Gifford, trainer of the The Mighty Don
He was dining at the top table last season and ran with great credit. He was meant to go chasing last season but unseated at Fontwell in October, so he went back over hurdles. We only shelved the chasing plans after he won the Pertemps qualifier at Cheltenham next time, but we’re going to have a proper go at it this year. He’s jumped very well at home and the trip will be on the sharp side, but it’s such a lovely track to start him off. Hopefully it will be onwards and upwards.

What does our tipster say?

Grade 2-winning hurdler SOUTHFIELD STONE looks a good prospect for novice chasing this season and is taken to beat Thistle Do Nicely, whose trainer is in excellent form at present. Moonlighter is also quite interesting. The Mighty Don and Litterale Ci have the ability to figure but they have questions to answer back over fences.
Steve Boow

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