Inglis to leave Winter rivals cold
The four-year-old was one of a number of big-money recruits for trainer Howard Johnson and owner Graham Wylie during the autumn, costing 110,000 guineas at the Newmarket Sales.
Inglis Drever had previously been with Sir Mark Prescott where he acquitted himself well, winning three races and finishing second on one of his other starts.
Johnson rates the horse highly and he gave him a nice introduction to the game in a little novice event at Aintree last month.
Inglis Drever travelled smoothly throughout, and although he showed a tendency to jump to the left, he measured his hurdles well and jumped quickly.
He will have learnt from that run and he can use his class in what looks to be a hot race over two and a half miles.
Later on the same card, the talented Impek can make a winning return to action in the ABN Amro Cross-Product Clearing Chase. Henrietta Knight’s seven-year-old turned in some truly top-notch efforts last season, including when beating prolific winner La Landiere on his chasing debut.
He really went on from there, taking the scalps of Le Roi Miguel and Palarshan before finishing an 11-length second to Azertyuiop in the Arkle at Cheltenham.
Although Le Roi Miguel subsequently beat him at Aintree and Punchestown, Impek is a really good prospect. He has had a bit of a lay-off since May but he should take all the beating here.
At Exeter, Bourbon Manhattan can make it two from two in the EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Alan King’s five-year-old was a smart performer in bumpers last year and he stepped up to hurdles well on his debut at Aintree.
King is hoping he may be a Cheltenham horse and he certainly looked a cut above when strolling home by 11 lengths in a similar event at the Merseyside track.
The son of Alflora will be much sharper for that start and can follow up here.
Ei Ei can warm up for a crack at the Tripleprint Gold Cup with a win in the Tote Exacta Hurdle (Showcase Handicap) at Southwell.
The eight-year-old was third behind Fondmort in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last time and should have too much on his rivals here.
