Leicester looks the card with the best opportunities today. Leading the way is Ballabriggs (2.30), from the stable of Donald McCain, whose horses are running well. Stepped up to three miles, this gelding by Presenting will find things more in his favour than trying to match strides with Wee Forbees over a shorter trip at Catterick. As McCain himself is on record as saying, horses by Presenting tend to prefer the ground not too soft, and Ballabriggs should be all right on that score today.
He does look like going off at skinny odds, though, so I suggest a win double with Mylord Collonges (4.00). This eight-year-old won a strongly-run race over course and distance last time, and the third horse has since won readily at Fontwell. A 7lb rise in the weights looks fair enough, as Mylord Collonges is still a similar amount below his hurdles mark.
Heir To Be (3.30) is recommended each-way in the handicap hurdle over 2m4f. He was second in this race two seasons ago before going on to win at Uttoxeter, but since then the handicapper has given him little chance. At last, though, Heir To Be has been shown some leniency and has dropped to his last winning mark. His last two runs have been moderate, but trainer Lucy Wadham's horses were coughing and she has been in better form lately. The ground will be testing on the hurdles track, but Heir To Be acts well in the mud.
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