Charlie McCann's Horse Racing Tips for Exeter & Leicester on Friday

Longshanks to build on promising FFos Las run for Hobbs at Exeter 

There is the prospect of significant rain at Exeter this afternoon for todays seven-race card which muddies the waters somewhat with regard to the valuable opening 3m novices’ handicap chase.

All week I have kept an eye on the weather forecast with regard to the prospects of Valsheda who I am convinced remains well treated from his current mark despite being 3lbs higher than when second at Kempton last time in a race I felt he ought to have won. Lightly raced he is open to further improvement over fences, but he is unproven on soft ground and for that reason alone he is overlooked. A race best watched until nearer the time when underfoot conditions are known.

At first glance it looks as if My Silver Lining is thrown in from a mark of 110 in the 2m handicap hurdle, given he beat the juvenile Teddy Blue – now rated 134 – at Lingfield last time when he gave the 4-y-old 5lbs. That was run on desperate ground, however, and Teddy Blue pulled too hard and failed to see his race out as well as the winner. The Emma Lavelle horse will make a lovely chaser in time and this stiff track will suit, but he is 5/4 in the betting, and he will need further in time. The more rain the better for the market leader.

Seventeen O Four (2.55pm) is 3lbs lower than when chasing home a well backed Gary Moore horse at Sandown last time, despite making a couple of significant mistakes. This stiff extended two miles should suit, and he gets the each way vote at a double figure price.

I remember the 5-y-old winning a couple on the level for Phil Kirby on soft ground last spring and I thought he looked the type to make a hurdler. His jumping certainly has room for improvement, but the Pipe yard had a welcome winner at Southwell earlier in the week. 

Recommendation: Seventeen O Four (2.55pm Exeter) @ 10/1 with 888sport (Each-Way) 

Longshanks (4.05pm) has the steadier of 12st 1lb to shoulder, but he has the frame to carry weight and he ran his best race yet over fences when runner up to Stone Of Destiny at Ffos Las on his latest start. The third home Yggdrasil won next time while the winner Stone Of Destiny ran all over his opposition at Newbury last weekend before his stamina gave way.

Recommendation: Longshanks (4.05pm Exeter) @ 5/2 with bet365 (NAP)

Conditional jockey Jack Wildman did us a favour on board Doukarov earlier in the week at Sandown and I hope he can steer Give Us A Swig (4.40pm) home in the 3m handicap chase for Sean Curran.

The form of his second – again at Ffos Las – last month has been franked by the subsequent facile Sedgefield success of the winner and Wildman’s claim negates his 3lbs rise in the weights. Note the fifth horse home in south Wales – Mr Katanga – won his next start by 47L.

Recommendation: Give Us A Swig (4.40pm Exeter) @ 9/4 with bet365

I was sweet on the chance of Steel Wave at Doncaster last week and he jumped and travelled well, but was still no match for First Figaro who escapes a penalty for that conditional jockey’s event and would be running from a 7lbs higher mark tomorrow. He will be a tough nut to crack if in the same mood, but he has a history of running well fresh and might not be able to back up such a big performance just seven days on.

Recommendation: Ivilnoble (1.30pm Leicester) @ 17/2 with BetVictor (Each-Way)