The standout bet today comes in the last race at Ludlow, where Front Of House (5.20) is a great price at 5-4 to win the bumper.
Nicky Henderson's six-year-old, who runs in the dark blue Magnier colours, justified a tall home reputation by winning easily at Huntingdon last month and should follow up. True, he must give weight to horses of a similar age, whereas he was merely roughing up younger rivals that day, but he is fully entitled to beat these rivals on such terms.
The owner's son rides but Mr J P Magnier is not as other amateurs and is definitely up to the task.
Earlier at the same track, Fabulous Jet (2.50) should return to winning ways. After a quick double, he was sorely in need of a break on his most recent two outings and will be better for 44 days on the sidelines. His front-running style should have most of these in trouble and main rival Majorca, who never went a yard last time, may be particularly discomfited. The main danger is that Fabulous Jet beats himself and falls in a hole but there is every hope that he'll last home in these conditions.
Saint Kadette (4.20) suffered a surprise defeat to Working Title in January but that looks a lot better now than it did at the time and she is preferred to the much-touted newcomer Fairyland.
2.55pm Jet grounded
Fabulous Jet was indeed fresh as paint and, having shot into his accustomed clear lead, put in an exuberant leap at the first and came down through the obstacle, with Christian Williams doing wonders to stay on board.
In the end, that may have cost them the race, as they were only collared close home by the 20-1 shot Tyup Pompey, winning for the first time in 36 starts. As expected, Majorca faded out of the frame after finding the pace too hot.
5.30pm Whoooooosh!
Front Of House wins easily at 11-10 and should be an interesting prospect for hurdles next season.
Sadly, Saint Kadette let us down, though there was greater frustration for backers of Fairyland, who was heavily backed to make a winning debut and flew into second at the finish when it was too late to catch Atomic Winner. Fairyland, a half-sister to Fair Along, should win a similar race, but there will be any number of people looking to get their money back when she does so.
Well done, Mike65ie
But my congratulations would be warmer if you'd posted the tip before the race . . .
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