Exeter provides a proper test of stamina whatever the going - with soft conditions prevailing today, we need to be looking for slow, sturdy types. Step forward Verasi (1.35), twice a winner of handicap hurdles on heavy going at Sandown, where "heavy" generally means "swamp-like", as we will see today. His chase debut wasn't brilliant - he was beaten when falling at the last - but the winner has since added a Grade 2 contest and Verasi clearly needed the experience. Despite that tumble, he is basically a good jumper, whereas the likely favourite, Lead On, showed poor technique when well beaten by the same winner last week.
Risk Runner (1.00) doesn't need it soft but the emphasis on stamina makes up for the fact that he is stepping back in distance today, having finished strongly over 2m5f last time. He is still well treated and should storm home again. From the same in-form stable of Alan King, Sovereign King (2.45) has shown his best form so far on a soggy surface, which makes him much more attractive than likely favourite Planet Of Sound, whose love for mud has yet to be established.
The best bet elsewhere may be Desert Opal (8.25) tonight at Wolverhampton. The last five of his seven course wins have come at five furlongs, yet connections still asked him to try six again last time and he predictably faded close home. He remains fairly weighted and has the assistance of a decent jockey, whereas his two main rivals will get little help from their inexperienced riders.
