Moorland Rambler one for Top 40

The Top 40 in OJA have been performing below par since the New Year but Moorland Rambler (5/2) recorded his first victory at Exeter on Tuesday. Jane Williams' youngster had shaped encouragingly on both his starts this term finishing third at the Devon track last month. Returning to the same C&D in a 0-120 handicap hurdle, the five year old stayed on strongly in the homestraight to win going away by nearly four lengths. Successful off a mark of 105, stamina was the key to the Telescope gelding's victory. The ground was described as heavy and Jane Williams feels Moorland Rambler is better on a sounder surface which bodes well for later in the campaign. Yet to race beyond two miles, his breeding suggests he will improve when tackling further and, with the handicapper unlikely to be too tough on him, he can win more races. He is a progressive type.

Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers section was also amongst the winners on Tuesday with Willmount (5/2) producing a fine display on his Rules debut at Doncaster. Lining up in the concluding bumper, Neil Mulholland's five year old made virtually all the running before pulling away inside the final quarter of a mile. Bought for £340,000, the Blue Bresil gelding is likely to be kept to bumpers this campaign before embarking on his novice hurdle career in the Autumn. A big strapping gelding, he is owned by Olly Harris and looks a smashing prospect for his new connections.