Exeter preview: On Tour to score on chase debut
Published:
David Metcalf | November 11, 2015
On Tour has some very useful form to his name over hurdles and can get the better of main market rival Otago Trail to make a winning debut over the large obstacles in the 2m 1f novices’ chase on today’s card at Exeter (15.40).
The Evan Williams trained gelding showed progressive form last season, finishing a highly promising runner-up on debut over hurdles before going on to rattle-up a hat-trick.
On Tour was particularly impressive in the last of those successes at Haydock back in November when landing a decent class 2 race with far more in hand than the winning margin of 2 1/2 lengths suggests.
The seven-year-old travelled powerfully throughout, and after being held-up off the pace made smooth headway three from home before being produced after the last to win going away.
On Tour was then ran very well to finish eighth of eighth of 23 to Violet Dancer in an ultra-competitive class 1 handicap hurdle at Newbury, and was far from disgraced when 12 of 21 to Killultagh Vic at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen in action.
Those performances have earned On Tour a rating of 137, and that makes the son of Croco Rouge the one to beat if taking to the larger obstacles.
On Tour certainly has the size and scop to make up into a decent chaser, and with the yard going well can take this en route to better things.
Rydon Pynes can go one better in 13:40
Rydon Pynes shaped really well when runner-up on seasonal reappearance and can go one better to land the 3m novices’ handicap chase (13.40).
The Martin Hill trained seven-year-old is a smart handicap hurdler who was last successful when beating Bully Dutton by 3/4 of a length in a decent class 2 contest at Chepstow 18 months ago off a mark of 128.
Rydon Pines then disappointed in two subsequent outings, but looked better than ever on return to action at Newton Abbot last month when beaten just a head by Milan Bound off a mark of 129.
The gelding was arguably an unlucky loser as he was far from fluent two from home when in the lead and lost vital momentum with another mistake at the last before rallying strongly.
However, it was a most encouraging effort and one which suggests Rydon Pines is a big player on chasing debut in this off a rating of 130.
Selections
13.10: Monbed Gold
13.40: Rydon Pynes (NB)
14.10: Roll The Dough
14.40: Drumviredy
15.10: Thundering Home
15.40: On Tour (NAP)
16.10: Buckhorn Tom
