Alan King saddles two for this two-mile novices’ hurdle at Kempton, with Barry Gerraghty taking the ride on Winter Escape in the McManus silks. He was last seen a few weeks back easing home on the bridle to record back-to-back successes at Doncaster. Bookies and punters alike seem to see…
1pt win De Kerry Man @6/1, 0.5pt EW West Wizard @12/1, 16:35 Kempton
Cernunnos went down by a nose at Doncaster last December, when he appeared to slightly idle with the race at his mercy. He probably improved on that effort as he discovered the winning thread in a fairly ordinary looking handicap at Leicester just over three weeks ago, but is landed…
0.5pt win West Approach @100/1, Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, Cheltenham 18th March
We’ve been closely following Colin Tizzard’s WEST APPROACH this season, twice backing him at Cheltenham with exactly nothing returned. It’s his breeding that appeals, as he’s by the same sire as reigning World Hurdle champ Cole Harden and out of the same dam as the ante-post favourite for his crown, Thistlecrack.…
1pt win Silviniaco Conti @4/1, 15:35 Ascot
Its close proximity to Cheltenham Festival gives this Grade 1 a false feeling – nevertheless, a quality field has assembled containing a dual-King George and Aintree Bowl winner, a Ryanair winner, a Hennessy winner and an ex-Champion Chaser. The obvious place to start is SILVINIACO CONTI, a serial Grade 1 winner…
1pt win Baie Des Iles @5/1, 15:25 Fairyhouse
Mala Beach rates a worthy favourite for the Bobbyjo Chase with his second place in the Thyestes at Gowran Park behind My Murphy. That gives him strong claims, if in the same mood and appears to be some of the best recent form on offer, with plenty of holes in…
1pt win At Fishers Cross @9/2, 14:05 Haydock
Reve De Sivola looks up against it trying to give 8lbs away on heavy ground in this Grade 2 stayers’ hurdle. He ran a blinder behind Thistlecrack at his favourite track – Ascot – earlier in the season, before reconfirming his dislike for fences when fifth last month here at…
2pts win Drumacoo @9/4, 13:50 Ascot
Only six go to post for this Grade 2 over just shy of three miles at Ascot. All known form points in the direction of DRUMACOO, who in receiving 4lbs from his closest market rival has to be the bet at 9/4. That rival is Onenightinvienna, who recently got to within three lengths of RSA…
25/1 Black Hercules to win the RSA Chase
It’s less than a month until jump racing’s biggest week, the Cheltenham Festival, and most of the betting markets have taken shape. Many horses remain in multiple races and there’s often plenty of value in guessing where they end up, as that uncertainty keeps the prices out. Some punters avoid the fancy…
1pt win Sternrubin @9/1, 0.5pt EW Agrapart @20/1, 0.5pt EW Matorico @33/1, 15:35 Newbury
Previous winners of Europe’s richest handicap hurdle race have included My Tent Or Yours, Zarkandar, and Get Me Out Of Here – two of which were owned by JP McManus. He enters no fewer than five runners including the 7/2 favourite, and Geraghty’s pick of the crop, Blazer. Mullin’s French…
Cheltenham Festival ante-post update, 8th February
A pretty good week for our ante-post selections. Triumph Hurdle favourite Ivanovich Gorbatrov was well beaten in the Grade 1 juvenile event at Leopardstown on Saturday, and drifted accordingly. AP McCoy spoke publically about the risk in ruling out his chances, pointing towards improvement on better spring ground, so he’s…