2pts win

2m½f (2m87y) (Old) Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) This is looking the race of the week as all the big guns are turning up and there are a few unexposed angles to keep things spicy. I had a 1pt each-way selection on Silver Streak all written up and…

3m6f Sam Vestey National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) It’s easy to forget that NEXT DESTINATION was once handled by Willie Mullins. Willie doesn’t let go of too many good ones, especially not a dual Grade 1 winning hurdler. But Next Destination clearly has had some…

2m½f (2m87y) (Old) Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Registered As The Fred Winter) (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo) This race is ridiculously competitive so I wouldn’t be going anywhere near the favourites. SAGE ADVICE is the one I keep coming back to. Rated 79 on the flat, he only made his hurdles debut in…

3m1f Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (Class 1) It doesn’t look the most competitive of renewals for the Ultima Handicap Chase with just the 16-runners lining up this year. The warm favourite is novice, Happygolucky, who certainly carries the most unexposed profile into this for trainer Kim Bailey. Happygolucky has…

At first glance of this market, I was surprised to see the brilliantly named BAREBACK JACK at 6/1 after he impressed last time out, remaining unbeaten and taking the scalp of the useful Third Time Lucki. My Drogo is very good and his form really stands up to scrutiny after…

There’s not much in the way of obvious value in the Grade 1 races for the upcoming Cheltenham races at this stage, but BOB OLINGER is several times the price he should be in the non-runner no bet markets for the Supreme. Make no mistake, his form entitles him to…

Nicky Henderson only has a couple of horses left in the Supreme as all have either fluffed their lines or been sidelined. GIPSY DE CHOISEL is a big price for the opener in March but his form stands up to scrutiny. He traveled powerfully at Ascot behind Metier on his…

2m½f Betfair Hurdle (Handicap) (Grade 3) (Class 1) This rescheduled renewal of the Betfair Hurdle looks pretty special with plenty of unexposed horses in the race. Some of the big fancies are quite short for this though and I like one at a slightly bigger price in MILKWOOD, who was…

I’ve backed Nicky Henderson’s LECALE’S ARTICLE to win the Ballymore non-runner no bet at 20/1. He was bought for €320k two seasons ago after winning a point but missed last season through injury. He’s been campaigned very similarly to Shishkin as a novice hurdler, starting out by landing the same…

Joseph O’Brien hit a bit of form on Saturday with a 1-2-4 in the handicap hurdle and Fakir D’oudairies placing second in the Dublin Chase. He has been out of sorts this season and that might just be a valid reason to expect his runners are underestimated. BUSSELTON was a…