Dave Nevison's Friday tips: selections at Exeter and Warwick

Syd Hosie’s gelding might be the value play here to at least sneak into the frame against several rivals from bigger yards.

The lightly-raced six-year-old recorded his only success when he was a big-priced winner of a novices hurdle last March. He has been dropped in the weights for some modest efforts earlier this season, but he seemed to indicate a wind operation had been successful with a pretty good run to be second last time out at Kempton. 

A tongue tie was added to the hood on that occasion and he wears both again this afternoon and he doesn’t need to improve much to go close in this. Paddy Hanlon claims a further 5lbs from him which will be handy in this ground.  

Jubilee Express went off the 9-2 favourite for the Coral Welsh Grand National when last seen, but ran below par, and was pulled up when it became clear it wasn‘t his day. 

He had been a gallant runner-up in the same race the previous year, and arrived there on the back of a course win this time. The obvious excuse would seem to be the ground, which was good to soft. 

The handicapper has left his mark unchanged for that poor effort, and seems equally convinced it was a one-off effort plus the nine-year-old will be much better suited by these conditions.

The National is less competitive than the Welsh version, and after being given a suitable break by Sam Thomas after that disappointment, Jubilee Express can return to form here.  

Murray Dodd is a 7lb claimer who is getting rides for a wide range of trainers in the West Country, and I always believe being sought after is a strong indicator of talent. 

Dodd takes over on Watchoutitscookie here, and hopefully the weight allowance will enable Nigel Hawke’s gelding to win a race after finishing second thee times this season. 

It does seem likely that he will get an uncontested lead in this event, which will very much suit his front-running style at a track where pacesetters do well. 

This does look his best chance so far this season.