Author: Joel Roberts

Coneygree’s absence has changed the complexion of this year’s Hennessy Gold Cup. His catch-me-if-you-can style would have strung the field out long before respective treatment by the handicapper came into play. I’m confident he’d have won. His absence is great news for our ante-post selection Bobs Worth, as he couldn’t cope with…

At a big price, I’ve been tempted into having a bet on Ubak in the Grade-2 Fuller’s London Pride Novices’ Chase. Not seen on track since 2013, his trainer Gary Moore has him “as fit as we can get him at home” so he might be a snip at 22/1…

There’s some nice racing at Newbury on Thursday, with the Grade 2 Bet365 Novices’ Chase standing out. French Champion Hurdle winner Un Temps Pour Tout is the favourite after a solid chase bow at Cheltenham’s Open meeting. He was beaten by the outsider Vicente that day, a defeat that his…

Early season novice chases are often full of value, with race fitness and sharpness so often the excuse for beaten favourites. The 14:00 at Exeter has a short-priced favourite, Fletchers Flyer, making his chase debut and seasonal reappearance on heavy ground. The same can be said of the second favourite,…

Typical of this stage of the season, only four contest Saturday’s Betfair Price Rush Hurdle at Haydock (13:50), with recent Wincanton winner Irving the market leader for Paul Nicholls. Melodic Rendezvous was seven lengths behind him on the day and, despite getting his favourite deep ground, looks highly unlikely to…

The highlight of Saturday’s action is the first Grade 1 race of the British National Hunt season: the Betfair Chase over three miles at Haydock. Last year’s winner Silviniaco Conti – who also won the race in 2013 – heads the market shading odds-on as a 10/11 favourite. That’s in part due to…

Maputo, a smart performer on the flat, has taken to hurdling really well and has won all four starts so far with ease. This is his biggest test to date but there’s little reason to doubt his chances besides the ground, which is probably easier than he’d like. Nicky Henderson’s…

As handicappers go, a big performance from Johns Spirit around Cheltenham’s Old Course rates as something of a banker. The winner of this, the Paddy Power Gold Cup, in 2013, he was mugged at the line by a fast-finishing Caid Du Berlais in 2014 after shooting clear from the chasing…