3.35 Exeter, Sunday, February 11

The Champions League Betting at 1888 Sport Veterans’ Handicap Chase (3.35) at Exeter on Sunday is the first leg of the 2018 Veterans’ Series and Pete The Feat comes into the race off the back of a brave effort in the final of the 2017 Series at Sandown last month. Charlie Longsdon’s 14-year-old was outpaced by the enigmatic Buywise up the famous Sandown hill, but kept on to finish an honourable second, beaten just 2 lengths. The King’s Theatre gelding has been raised 3lb for that effort but, despite being in his dotage, has looked on particularly good terms with himself in recent months and – at least, against his fellow old-timers – clearly remains a force to be reckoned with. The form of his previous win, also at Sandown, has already been franked by the second, Hedgeinator, and the fifth, Chef D’Equipe, and 3 miles on the prevailing soft going is ideal for him. He’s yet to race at Exeter, but has won over fences on similarly undulating tracks at Fontwell and Folkestone, so it’ll be interesting to see how he fares on his 62^nd start under Rules.

Selection: Exeter 3.35 Pete The Feat to win 7/1

5.35 Wolverhampton, Thursday, January 4

In the Betway Middle Distance Handicap (5.35) at Wolverhampton on Thursday, Raashdy has continued in good from since completing a four-timer at Lingfield in November and can resume winning ways. A course and distance winner in October – in a race that has thrown up a couple of winners – the Intikhab gelding has been campaigned over 1 mile 6 furlongs on two of his last three starts, but the return to 1 mile 4 furlongs is almost certainly in his favour and he remains just 4lb higher in the weights than when successful at Lingfield. A Simon Crisford castoff just over a year ago, Peter Hiatt’s 5-year-old has officially improved 17lb since switched back to the all-weather in October and can continue to pay his way for connections.

Selection: Wolverhampton 5.35 Raashdy to win  

6.20 Wolverhampton, Tuesday, December 12

The Bet & Watch at Sunbets.co.uk Handicap (6.20) at Wolverhampton on Tuesday is an ordinary contest in which recent winning form is thin on the ground. Nevertheless, the only last-time-out winner in the field, Grey Destiny, has been raised a lenient-looking 4lb for winning over course and distance in November and appears to have every chance of following up.

Anthony Brittain’s 7-year-old is hardly a prolific winner, but only narrowly failed over course and distance on his penultimate start before running on well to beat Kafoo by three-quarters of a length, with something in hand, on his return to the West Midlands track 11 days later. The Desideratum gelding has been given five weeks to recover from his exertions and, while he takes a slight rise in class, he is attempting little more than he has achieved in the past and has bright prospects.

Selection: Wolverhampton 6.20 Grey Destiny to win

 

3.40 Lingfield, Tuesday, November 21

What A Welcome finished stone cold last, at three-figure prices, on both turf starts for Eric Wheeler in the summer, but has made significant progress since switched to the Polytrack at Lingfield by his new connections. Having shown signs of ability when fifth of 10, beaten 7¾ lengths, in a Class 5 maiden over a mile on his debut for Patrick Chamings last month, the Nathaniel gelding take a major step forward when winning a 0-70 handicap over 1 mile 2 furlongs earlier this month with a little in hand. His pedigree suggests that an extra two furlongs should be within his compass and a 4lb rise in the weights is offset by a drop back into 0-65 company, so he looks to have bright prospects of following up. In fact, off a mark of 67, he could be absolutely thrown in.

Selection: Lingfield 3.40 What A Welcome to win 9/2