Scott pinpoints Exeter Rendezvous

Melodic Rendezvous could clash with Puffin Billy in the Bathwick Tyres Plymouth Novices' Hurdle at Exeter on February 10.

The Grade One winner holds an entry in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown but the prevailing soft ground in Ireland means he is a doubtful runner.

Instead, the Listed event at Exeter picked out by Oliver Sherwood as the next port of call for Puffin Billy is likely to offer a huge Cheltenham Festival clue.

"I think it's unlikely he'll travel," said Scott.

"The main reason we entered him was in the hope of better ground but there looks to be little chance of that at present.

"It's much more likely that he'll go to Exeter for the Listed race there, or there's even an option at Newbury.

"They are racing on a bog over there at present so there seems little point in going over."

Scott's other Festival contender Empiracle is prominent in the betting for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

He has been the subject of several offers but Scott said: "He's still with us and on target."