An obvious one is Tap Night who looks value at around 8/11. Slightly less obvious is Docs Legacy getting 8lbs off the market leaders in the Triumph Hurdle trial.
Two selections to put up for me today. Musselburgh 3.00 Anquetta 3-1 This is a selection in which we have to take fitness on trust as February is quite late for a horse to be having it's first run of the season. In it's favour however is that it has run well fresh in the past and should the horse be ready to show it's form it definitely has the ability to win this race. Lingfield 2.40 Bridge that gap 7-2 This is a very strong selection..... This horse was beaten last time out not too far from Sweet Liberta who in his next race ran away an easy 4 length winner proving how well in he was when beating Bridge the Gap. It is the time before however that most takes the eye as he finished 2nd to Norwegian reward, In third however was a horse called Asia Minor who put in a very eye catching performance next time out to win as he liked, were Asia Minor in this race after that performance you would find it hard to get a price. Bridge the Gap has only run 6 times and I feel has yet to reach the mark he will evetually deserve. He is no world beater hence why this is a level 6 handicap, but he is in my opinion better than a level 6er. He has only Safawan to beat today in my bet and 7-2 is a very reasonable match bet. Good luck all
I really dont like betting on any race that has the word "qualifier" in its name. My take is that if you are looking to win the Final you dont really want to hamper your chances by winning the qualifier and getting thumped by the handicapper. So although I have found what I feel is an interesting runner in the Pertemps Qualifier it will still only be to modest stakes. The horse in highlight is MEDICAL CARD 50-1 on Betfair and there are a couple of reasons but mainly what I see as a very handy handicap mark. He came back lame from a race at Navan last February and only had one more race that season when pulled up. This term he has had two runs in decent chases and has run like a horse that was working his way back to full fitness. Having hopefully now been nursed back to full fitness by the shrewd Noel Meade he finds himself handicapped ridiculously lowly for a horse of obvious ability. As recently as January last year he won a Grade Two novice chase beating some nice types. Officially rated 130 over jumps he is eleven pounds better off over hurdles which in my view gives him a better chance than 33-1 or even the 55 taken on Betfair!
Ive always rated Medical Card as decent on his day but I think he is more than 11 pounds better over fences than he is over hurdles. Dont think he will turn out to be that well handicapped off 119 tbh, and Carberry prefers Blissful Moment. Fahamore is out so Civena 12/1 will do for me.
He is hard to assess to be honest Boris as they sent him chasing without ever having a handicap hurdling career. It could just be that he is having another prep run to get him "straight" but at 55's on BF you dont need to risk a lot do you.
Had a bit each way on the Weld horse in the opener, interesting race for the Ned Buntline formline. Dont know who is on the springer, Daves Stamper, but his point win looks decidedly weak!
He will. It's whether Simonsig can live with Overturn's jumping ability and gallop. Very easy to forget that Simonsig has only ever run against novices in England whereas Overturn is far more battle hardened and will be a terror to pass. If Overturn jumps like he has thus far i think it will take a massive rating performance for an Arkle to beat him. Obviously Simonsig may be capable of that but at odds on and 5/1 (before todays race) I know which is the better bet. Simonsig has not been any more impressive than Overturn over fences so far.
Ned Buntline's form not done any favours in the opener Boris! Will Don Cossack boost the Pont Alexandre form?
Excited about this grade 2 novice hurdle now. Don Cossack for me and i've bet like a man as Oddy would say. I can firgive one bad race. If he flops again i'd say he's done at the top table.
Probably! Im not too worried about the form, I just think Don Cossack is beatable at this trip, Meade says Ned Buntline is the best theyve had for a while but hes a chaser in the making so maybe today aint his day. How was his form not done any favours? He beat the winner of the maiden 50 lengths. Are you getting mixed up with Urano and Upazo?
Very much against Ned Buntline. Small saver on Mozoltov as i see him as the only threat to DC if DC jumps.
Afternoon all Mullins horse went out like a light in the first, is the yard really firing at the moment? This novice hurdle is a very good race but too close to call so no bet but watching with interest regarding Cheltenham prospects. I've got Overturn at 8/1 plus the Sprinter Sacre / Simonsig double at 9/4 ................ anything else I need to worry about in the Arkle?
Doubt it Oddy. Good price about Overturn. I'm only got each way at 5's. Arvika would have to improve his jumping after the fall lto. i'm slightly concerned Arvika and Overturn may cut each others throats at the front and set it up for Simonsig but if Overturn gets to dictate i think he's got an outstanding chance.
