The pundits are right to warn about the hazardous nature of today's Pierse Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown. Whoever wins will need luck in running and be able to call on reserves of courage in what is traditionally a rough house of a race.
This year, though, there is a horse lurking at the bottom of the weights who could turn out with hindsight to be thrown in. 2.25pm Do The Trick is the name of the beast in question and the 6-1 on offer generally this morning looks a price well worth taking. A classy Flat campaigner, he ran an eye-catching race last time when he looked most unlucky not to win. Trainer Mick Halford is on record as saying he has improved since and he seesm sure to give his supporters a good run for their money.
Never mind horses to follow, some of the best bets emerge from trainers to follow and at present John Best is certainly the handler to watch. He has that invaluable ability to improve horses he gets in his care and one of those, 1.15pm Lordswood, is today's other suggested wager at Kempton.
The selection's first run for Best resulted in a win at Lingfield on Wednesday and he also gave a good account at today's track on Friday night in a tougher race than the one he runs in this afternoon. Click here for all the day's racecards, form, stats and results.
And click here for today's latest odds.
