In something of a rarity, the British trainers’ championship is turning into a thriller this year, with Ireland’s Willie Mullins, dominant at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals, going all out to wrestle the title off Paul Nicholls, who’s won it nine of the past ten seasons.
Nicholls is absent from Perth’s Wednesday card but Mullins has sent over UP FOR REVIEW and Nambour to take on Albert Bartlett-third Fagan in a strong renewal of the British Stallions Future Champions EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Barney Dawn, not to be underestimated after having his form franked by Tiff Taff on the weekend, completes the small but select field.
Up For Review was for much of the season the favourite for the Albert Bartlett, and a poor prep run at Doncaster along with his disappointing run in the big one has seen his reputation diminished.
However, much like his stablemate Bellshill, who we tipped for his painfully-narrow reverse at Aintree, he looks to be better than those two runs.
He’s 9/2 tomorrow and I really think he’s worth chancing at that price, as he’s thumped Nambour in the past and that horse is actually shorter in the betting.
Fagan has the best form but is no banker at 6/5, and could be feeling the effects of a tough run at Cheltenham.
He’s a worthy favourite, the most likely winner, but worth taking on at the prices.
1pt win Up For Review @9/2, 15:15 Perth, Wednesday
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