Exeter's Virgin Bet Afternoon Racing predictions: Broadway Boy looking to double up

- There are seven races coming up at Exeter on Wednesday 
- Lime Drop to win 1pm 
- First Lord De Cuet to win 1.35pm 
- Bonttay to win 2.10pm 
- Judex Lefou to win 2.45pm 
- The King Of Ryhope to win 3.20pm 
- Broadway Boy to win 3.55pm 
- Oscars Moonshine to win 4.30pm

Exeter hosts the Virgin Bet Afternoon Racing card on the first day of February as spring begins to creep in.

The Devon track has seven races on the card, which begins at 1.00pm and runs through until 4.30pm, and our expert has been assessing the action.

1.00pm - Virgin Bet Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (2m2½f)

Colonial Empire is going for a hat-trick of wins and commands plenty of respect after a dominant win at Ffos Las in December but LIME DROP may get the prize in the opener for Henry Daly. 

The mare made plenty of progress last season, winning five times over timber and having seemingly needed the comeback at Bangor this term, she was second at Newbury on New Year's Eve. 

This slight increase in distance looks fine for her.

Racing Post selection: Lime Drop

1.35pm - Virgin Bet Novices' Chase (3m)

Both Sizeable Sam and FIRST LORD DE CUET will be eager to avoid completing a hat-trick of runner-up finishes so far this season. 

The former went only in snatches at Wincanton five weeks ago and that ensures preference for David Pipe's charge. 

It has been a good start to the week for the Pond House handler and Fergus Gillard and this lightly-raced nine-year-old have strong claims, having found only a progressive winner too strong at Chepstow last time.

Racing Post selection: First Lord De Cuet

2.10pm - Virgin Bet Mares' Maiden Hurdle (2m1f)

Smart bumper performer BONTTAY had to settle for second-best on hurdles bow at Lingfield in December over two miles, taking a while to organise a challenge early in the home straight before finishing out the race in strong fashion. 

She should not be waiting too long for a win to come along and this slightly better surface is a positive.

Racing Post selection: Bonttay

2.45pm - Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (2m3f)

JUDEX LEFOU won this contest 12 months ago from 5lb lower and looks to be primed for a repeat attempt, having finished second at Ludlow just before Christmas. 

That was over this sort of trip, having tried further in his first two starts back. 

He won this race very easily last year, his only Exeter start, and has plenty going for him now for Tim Vaughan and Alan Johns.

Racing Post selection: Judex Lefou

3.20pm - Virgin Bet Maiden Hurdle (2m5½f)

Dan and Harry Skelton have leading claims here with THE KING OF RYHOPE. 

He was well-backed for his hurdles bow at Carlisle (2m4f, heavy) in October and pulled a long way clear with the Archie Watson-trained winner Grove Road, who has gone in again since. 

The race has thrown up a couple more subsequent winners and this promising seven-year-old looks the one to beat now.

Racing Post selection: The King Of Ryhope

3.55pm - Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle Division 1 (2m7f)

BROADWAY BOY's win at Aintree in December has been boosted by the pair that followed him home winning three of their four starts since.

Given that Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge was never stronger than at the line, a 7lb rise looks tolerable for a young horse with plenty of scope for better at this sort of staying trip. 

His earlier form also reads well and he could take some pegging back now.

Racing Post selection: Broadway Boy

4.30pm - Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle Division 2 (2m7f)

What About Time, Sporting Ace and Haydock scorer Sacre Coeur all need consideration but a chance is given to OSCARS MOONSHINE for champion trainer Paul Nicholls. 

He is a three-time hurdles winner at 2m5f/2m7f in the past and has been spotted only sparingly over the last couple of seasons. 

His two runs before Christmas over shorter were solid enough and, back up in trip, he could get back on track.

Racing Post selection: Oscars Moonshine