The Doyen Chief will be better suited to Exeter than he was Market Rasen

Alan loves Warwick, but the two-day meeting on the Midlands course this week was somewhat frustrating as, though saddling the 1-2 in the bumper, with Charisma Cat beating Annie Hathaway, we had four others finish in the frame.

However, besides Helnwein, who showed so much promise on his chasing debut, there were plenty of other Barbury positives, not least Don’t Mind If I Do, who was run out of the maiden hurdle close home by the year older and more experienced favourite Castle Ivers, and also at Ascot, where Blues Singer, warm favourite for his bumper, bravely tried to defy his 4lb penalty from Kempton in March but was pipped on the line by Kdeux Saint Fray.

The forecast of a wet week-end was music to the ears for Alan, whose two Exeter runners on Sunday have both shown their best performances when the mud was flying,

Alan said:”Here’s hoping Haldon gets the rain as The Doyen Chief, another of our exciting team of young chasers, is earmarked for the novice handicap.

“An Irish point-to-point winner, The Doyen Chief has since been successful in a bumper and a couple of hurdle races. He had schooled well at home before he made his chasing debut last month at Market Rasen, where he made a pleasing start to finish third on what was his first run since February.

“That extended two mile, five furlongs was sharp enough for The Doyen Chief on good ground, and he should be much better suited by this stiffer track on what will hopefully be easier ground. Ultimately, I see him as a three miler.

Our other runner at Exeter is Geturguccion in the mares novice hurdle, and the ground is also a key factor for her. She ran very well when runner-up in her first bumper at Newbury and was then an encouraging second on her hurdling debut at Ludlow. She will be better suited by stepping up to three miles here.