Exeter preview: Calipto to make class tell
Published:
David Metcalf | December 4, 2015
Calipto can make his class tell to give weight to all his rivals and get back on the winning trail in the 2m 3f novices’ chase on today’s card at Exeter (15.20).
The Paul Nicholls trained gelding was a very useful hurdler who opened his account over fences at the first time of asking when scoring impressively over 2m 3f at Fontwell on seasonal reappearance.
After tracking the leaders under a confident Sam Twiston-Davies, Calipto was produced to lead at the last before quickening clear on the run-in to win unextended by four lengths.
The five-year-old was then pitched into Grade 2 company at Cheltenham and lost little in defeat when finishing third to Garde la Victoire in a hot 2m contest.
Calipto got outpaced three from home and made a mistake at the last before rallying well to be beaten three lengths.
That form reads extremely well in the context of this contest, and the step back up in trip looks sure to suit.
Although Calipto has to give 5lb to his rivals, including useful chasing debutant Tea For Two, he looks to be an above average recruit to the chasing ranks and it will be disappointing if he does not prove up to the task.
Reach out for Glenarm a great shout for opening race
In the 2m 2f conditional jockeys’ novices’ handicap hurdle (12.40), Glenarm looks decent value to open her account.
The Seamus Mullins trained mare hinted at ability in four spins over hurdles last season when not knocked about, most notably when a distant fourth of 16 to The Govaness at Towcester.
Glenarm made a costly error and also got outpaced three out before keeping on nicely to be nearest at the finish.
The winner is a very useful sort now rated 144, and Glenarm was allotted an opening handicap mark of 100 on the back of that effort.
Although only ninth of 15 off it on reappearance over 2m 5f at Towcester last month, Glenarm raced prominently until weakening two from home as lack of race fitness took it’s toll.
That run put have put the six-year-old spot on for this, and the drop back in trip is sure to suit.
Glenarm has also been dropped 4lb to a mark of 96, and that looks exploitable in what is a weak class 5 contest.
Selections
12.40: Glenarm (NB)
13.10: Mon Successeur
13.40: Barton Gift
14.15: Vieux Lille
14.50: Never Says Never
15.20: Calipto (NAP)
15.50: Renaissance Red
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