Horse Racing: Exeter calls for a second inspection
The officials of Exeter racecourse have called for another inspection at 10 a.m. on Sunday, as a steep drop in the temperature has been forecasted by the Met Office. This has once again put the fixture in doubt.
The clerk of the racecourse, Barry Johnson was reported as saying, “It didn’t get lower than 1C overnight, but since 5 a.m. the temperature has dropped to -2C and it is slightly crusting on top. We have called a second inspection at 10 a.m., but we need
the temperature to rise, and quickly!”
Meanwhile, Royal Charm is to feature in this event if it takes place and claim his dominance in the Irish Independent Arkle Chase, after he won the Exeter Hurdle last racing season. The racehorse is a champion, as he displayed the best of his talent and
potential when he took over the field by 22 lengths and won the Novice Chase. He is also unbeaten in three editions on the Devon racecourse.
His trainer, Nicholls wants him to follow in the footsteps of his stable mate Take The Breeze. The colt won the Exeter prizes last year and is thus one of the most celebrated racehorses in the country. The enthusiastic trainer said, “Royal Charm was always
going to go to this meeting after winning last time.”
He further added, “He likes Exeter and it’s an ideal race for his next start. He won well last time, likes soft ground and likes the track so he has a lot in his favour.”
The winner jockey of the Hennesy Gold Cup, Daryl Jacob will be aboard Royal Charm at Exeter. He is the regular jockey for Nicholls. Meanwhile, he will also be riding Sanctuaire, who will be featuring in the Greatwood Hurdle.
Talking about last year’s Fred Winter Novices’ Hurdle winner, Sanctuaire, Nicholls said, “Sanctuaire was very fresh in the paddock and the race was over before he got to the start. He ran too free and got a bit tired.”
On the other hand, the jockey Robert Thornton will also be making a comeback at Exeter, provided that the meeting is not called off on account of the big freeze encompassing Britain and Ireland. He has been out of sport because of an injury that he sustained
in his right knee while riding at Newton Abbot back in July.
Final decision about the Sunday’s fixture will be made after the inspection at 10 a.m.
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