LONG DISTANCES don't worry the dour stayer Interdit (3.10), who heads from the Scottish Borders to contest the day's most valuable race, the £20,000 Tote-sponsored Devon National at Exeter.

Quick ground will at least ensure the 3-mile marathon is a little less strenuous than normal, although it's still my guess that only a handful of the 14 starters will complete the course.

But given a clear round, Interdit should theoretically be one of those still standing come the final slog to the line on account of his seemingly bottomless reserves of stamina, combined with a known ability to handle the prevailing lightning fast underfoot conditions.

Another big bonus stems from the presence in the saddle of James Davies, seen to superb effect when booting Usk Valley to victory at Fontwell yesterday. Crucially Davies is able to take a mighty useful 3lb off the selection's back, which could prove to be the deciding factor when the jockeys are asking for maximum throttle from their respective mounts in the closing stages.

Over at Hereford, Cool Spice (4.00) looks head and shoulders above the opposition in the Racecourse Handicap Hurdle.

The Philip Hobbs-trained mare had a valid excuse when only finishing fifth at Cheltenham last time out as she was badly hampered at the final flight. The loss of momentum meant it was tear up your ticket time for her backers, but the punters who did their dough on that occasion might easily get it back with interest this afternoon.

My second-in-command, Richard Young, plucked a 6-1 beauty out of the hat with Joy Of Pain at Lingfield yesterday and after a team talk we both agree Montosari (2.20) is in with a major shout at the same venue.

Montosari inexplicably failed to make the frame when a heavily-supported 9/4 favourite 15 days ago, but if you're prepared to forgive that moderate effort, the five-year-old must be a serious contender judged on his previous emphatic three-length triumph at the track.

The storm that followed Ballinger Ridge's defeat when Kieren Fallon took things easy last week was not hard to predict.

Fallon's blunder was unforgivable and doubtless his replacement, Martin Dwyer, will be wary of making sure he pushes and shoves all the way to the wire aboard Ballinger Ridge (3.20), fully expected to win the Cashback Maiden Stakes in facile fashion.

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