Thursday, 12 March 2015

1.30 - Triumph Hurdle - Grade 1 - 2m 1f

Our full preview of this race is here, but we've gone for outsider Pain Au Chocolat as an each-way bet - "He hasn’t run in a top class hurdle this season but has done very well in class 3 and 4 races and 22/1 is a big price. Some rain would be a welcome advantage. His last win in particular was worth noting and he looks to fit the bill for a value each-way contender. Also, William Hill are paying out on four places so if possible it may be a good idea to back him with them."

SELECTION: PAIN AU CHOCOLAT E/W 22/1

2.05 - Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle - Grade 3 - 2m 1f

Ebony Express was a very nice winner of the Imperial Cup at Sandown just six days ago and comes here attempting to claim the £100,000 bonus offered by William Hill for an Imperial Cup winner. He carries 5lb more than he did that day but is still near the bottom of the weights and he fits the profile for a County Hurdle winner as well as any horse in this field does. If his win on Saturday signalled a return to the form he had before Christmas then 16/1 is a big price.

SELECTION: EBONY EXPRESS E/W 16/1

2.40 - Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle - Grade 1 - 3m

Grade 1 races aren't easy but some value does stand out in the race very quickly - I'm surprised to see Thomas Brown available at odds of 16/1 after an impressive performance from the front over a slightly shorter trip at this track last time out. He looks the perfect Albert Bartlett horse to me and his price looks like real value. It's an interesting field but a course win has proven to be extremely beneficial in this race in the past and it's an advantage that not many of today's field have. I wouldn't be surprised to see Thomas Brown outrun his odds.

3.20 - Cheltenham Gold Cup - Grade 1 - 3m 2f 110y

At last the time has arrived - read our full Gold Cup preview here.

"Last year’s winner was Lord Windermere, who seems to love it here and is undoubtedly trained to peak on this day. His track record is strong and the race looks to suit him to perfection today. His form in the build-up to the race has been better than it was last season and he improved from the Lexus to the Irish Hennessy. I was critical of him after last year’s Gold Cup, but I do think he could run another big race today...

...This leaves Holywell. Last year’s dual Cheltenham and Aintree winner had a shaky start to this season running badly in a listed contest a long way behind Many Clouds. He followed up by unseating when Sam Winner won a listed contest in December and his Gold Cup credentials looked fairly ruined. However, his class 2 win last time out showed that he was back to himself and it’s no secret that his best form is always in the spring. His Cheltenham record is fantastic and his profile is almost perfect (ideally I would prefer to have AP on board). He seems like a very nice bet.

There are plenty of dangers lurking, not least Road To Riches who should run a big race, but I’m surprised to see that Lord Windermere has drifted out as far as 18/1 in places. Like Holywell, he loves the festival, he loves the spring and he should put in a good run. Bet365, Totesport, Ladbrokes, Betfred and Skybet are all paying out on four places so if possible bet with one of them."

SELECTIONS: HOLYWELL E/W 12/1, LORD WINDERMERE E/W 18/1

No comments:

Post a Comment