Follow My Leader

The second half of the 2012/13 jumps season was largely forgettable for Emma Lavelle, with the yard's fortunes taking a dip after a promising start to the campaign, but the Andover trainer has reason to smile again, with victories for stable stalwarts Bouggler, Kangaroo Court and the exciting Claret Cloak in recent weeks, and whatever may have ailed the string in the spring seems to be forgotten now. The yard's record in the last fortnight is four wins from just nine runners, which augurs well for the season proper.

One who hasn't read the script of late, though, is Qianshan Leader, who returned from a break with a poor effort at Newton Abbot last time. It's easy to write him off now, with that effort bringing his record of non-completions to 3 from his last 5 starts. On the other hand, it's not hard to find excuses for the poor efforts in his record, with the absence of headgear suggesting he wasn't fully wound up for that return on what looks an unsuitable track. Back in cheekpieces and at a track where he's run well in the past, Qianshan Leader can bounce back, with genuinely fast ground, and an ease in class other positives to be gleaned on paper.

His opposition today isn't stiff, with the majority having plied their trade on the uncompetitive summer jumps circuit. Arguably the pick on form is Whistling Senator, who was bidding for a four-timer when runner-up at Uttoxeter last time, but is ominously weak in the market under a change of rider, and gives the impression he's done his winning for the time being, his temperament still a slight cause for concern, too, despite plundering those victories around Worcester's tight turns. The David Pipe pair are both unexposed, but are also less than fluent jumpers, with Standing Ovation the pick of the pair. There's little doubt that he's on a lenient mark, but Exeter is no place for a clumsy jumper, and these tricky fences will test him to the limit.

At Worcester, Dr Richard Newland's Bombadero (17:30) is worth backing to make up for an unlucky effort at Chepstow last week. Well backed and seemingly in control when losing his footing after jumping the second last, he looks overpriced in his bid to make amends in what is admittedly a better contest today. Biggest danger to the Newland runner is Nicky Henderson's Makari, who is best fresh and will be suited by the test of speed afforded by Worcester's tight track. Many will be put off by the fact that Tony McCoy deserts the selection after riding at Chepstow, but Sam Twiston-Davies is a more-than-able deputy.

Recommendations:

Back Qianshan Leader @ [6.6] in the 15:20 Exeter (NAP)

Back Bombadero @ [9.0] in the 17:30 Worcester (NB)