Valley Henry can underline credentials
Paul Nicholls’ seven-year-old looked like being one of the top novices at the start of last season but after some good runs early in the campaign he lost his way mid-season.
Valley Henry’s jumping suffered after a couple of minor mishaps and it took a confidence-boosting win at Exeter to get him back on track.
He signed off the last campaign with an impressive win at Ayr and he picked up the winning thread in the Grade Two Fieldspring Desert Orchid Chase at Wincanton on his seasonal reappearance.
Valley Henry’s jumping was pretty fair that day and he was an easy seven-length winner over the useful, if enigmatic, Upgrade.
Nicholls holds this horse in high regard and a tilt at either the Pertemps King VI Chase or the Ericsson Chase in Ireland is touted if all goes well here.
Thisthatandtother can make it a double for the Somerset handler by taking the GQ Winter Novices’ Hurdle.
The six-year-old already has two victories to his credit this season but this extended two and a half mile contest represents a significant move up in class and distance.
Thisthatandtother has not come up against much so far this season but he showed he was in good heart by winning on his seasonal debut at Wincanton over two miles.
He returned to the same course and distance to register another win in a similar event a couple of weeks later.
Nicholls steps his charge up in distance here and although he is not guaranteed to get the extra trip he looks to be a stout individual and that should prove no problem to him here.
At Exeter, Suntas can take the day’s Showcase event, the Axminster Carpets Devon Marathon Chase.
Tom George’s mare certainly seems in good form with herself so far this season landing an easy victory on her seasonal debut at Huntingdon.
Admittedly the seven-year-old’s task was made considerably easier when the three market leaders crashed out early on in the race but she looked good value for the official six-length verdict as she could have won by 20 if pushed out.
That contest was over an extended three miles and six furlongs and Suntas tackles a four mile trip here.
The extra couple of furlongs should not bother this mare too much though as she seems to stay well and her stamina may well stretch to this distance.
Kedge Anchor Man has been going well on the gallops and he can get off the mark in the South-West Racing Club Handicap Hurdle.
At 11, Nick Gaselee’s charge is reaching the end of his racing days but still retains some ability as he proved when second to Dutch Dyane at Sandown on his seasonal reappearance.
He made a mistake at the last and would have been closer to the winner if not for that error.
Kedge Anchor Man can make amends here.
