2:40 Exeter – Quick Wave 6/1 E/W
3:15 Exeter – Petite Power 8/1 E/W
Quick Wave
It’s Venetia’s time – so says the cliche – but for as much as that trope is overused, there’s no denying that she’s in flying form at present.
In the past two weeks, she’s had 8 winners and 9 placed from 26 runners and she sends just the one runner down to Exeter today; she has an 18% S/R when only sending 1 runner to Exeter.
Robbie Dunne has been doing well for the trainer of late, with 3 wins and 3 places from 9 rides since October.
It’s also important to note that Venetia has won this race twice in the last four renewals, including last year with Espoir De Guye.
Quick Wave has only had 6 starts for Venetia since joining the yard in 2018; she’s not been the most straightforward but the talent is certainly there.
Having shown some smart form in France as a four year old, her record over fences in reads: 212 and while she went up 7lbs for finishing 2nd at this track LTO, I believe this mark is still workable.
Crucially, we know she goes well fresh which isn’t too surprising given her trainer. Her appeal is also made stronger by her front running tactics and there’s a strong chance that she’ll get an easy lead here. Having gone close over 3m last time out and given the conditions, she could make this a real test from the front. Dusty Lark is known to go forward too but on his first run for 621 days there have to be doubts over whether he’ll adopt those tactics. Even if he does, the trainer has commented in the past that she likes racing alongside horses so that shouldn’t inconvenience her.
Petite Power
This is sure to be a thorough test of stamina which will definitely suit Petite Power.
He really made his mark last term, winning back to back handicap chases Cheltenham and Uttoxeter at the age of 10. He finished 2nd in this race off today’s mark of 125 last year before his ever rising mark meant he had to go up in grade. To his credit, he did finish 3rd in a Grade 3 handicap at Warwick but he returns to a much more realistic level here.
His run in the Durham National was disappointing, but that was on unsuitability quick ground. He was a staying on 4th last time out at Cheltenham in a 0-140 having been readily outpaced, but he plugged on well and this extreme test of stamina will be much more suitable.
Liam Harrison knows this horse extremely well having ridden him on his last 7 starts, while he rides at a 22% S/R for Fergal O’Brien, a trainer that remains in good form.
The front two pulled 19 lengths clear of 3rd when Petite Power finished 2nd in this race last year. While he isn’t in as good form as this time last year, this will suit him more than most abs he should run another big race providing Father Time hasn’t caught up with him.
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