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The Guardian - UK

Sport

Will Hayler and Tony Paley

Talking Horses

Huntingdon Races — Huntingdon racecourse is surrounded by open countryside, but though temperatures got very low last night the racing today has got the go-ahead after three inspections. Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Today's best bets, by Will Hayler

Surrounded by some of the most expensive horses and training fees anywhere in Britain, Neil King is continuing to make his name as a decent trainer of jumpers (as well as having success with his Flat horses) in the heart of Newmarket. King, a former assistant to Nicky Henderson and a successful point-to-point jockey, has steadily increased the size of his team and his number of winners since first taking out a licence at the end of 2003.

With 14 winners already on the board this season, King already looks nailed-on for his best campaign this season and the likes of I've Been Framed (1.40), his runner a few miles down the A14 from Newmarket at Huntingdon today, should help him achieve that.

A point-to-point winner over three miles, I've Been Framed shaped with promise in three bumpers and improved when moved up to today's trip, finishing a good third in a novice hurdle (subsequent winner Babysitter a neck behind) over course and distance on Boxing Day.

Unsuited by the drop in trip against smart rivals last time, he now goes handicapping off an appealing mark in a winnable contest and looks a fair bet at 6-1 to topple Sona Sasta, favourite to continue David Pipe's recent purple patch but not the most reliable of performers in the past.

Prof de l'Isle (2.40) has run a couple of his best races at Huntingdon and looks interesting off a light weight given that he is still unexposed over fences. He probably doesn't want the ground to be too slow, but the forecast is for a dry day at the track, which will help.

Taunton's meeting has fallen to overnight frost, leaving all-weather cards at Southwell and Kempton as the day's other British action. Spring Breeze (3.20) has been expensive to follow in a couple of recent starts – and, yes, I am talking out of my pocket here. But I'm determined to give him another chance at Southwell to prove that he is well-handicapped on the Flat, having found only the hat-trick-completing Russian Music too strong in a similar contest last time. Graham Gibbons knows how to get the best out of this tough galloper and I expect to see the pair in front off the home turn and repelling all challengers all the way to the line.

Tipping competition, day four

You should never give up in this competition, as shears39 and factormax proved yesterday. Well behind after two days, they found 20-1 winner Bella Haze and are now at the top of the table.

Today, we'd like your tips, please, for these races: 2.10 Huntingdon, 2.40 Huntingdon, 3.40 Huntingdon.

For the first time ever, this week's prize is an item of clothing! Our winner can choose either a Denman scarf or a Kauto Star scarf, offered by those kind folks at Cheltenham racecourse. Whichever scarf is rejected will become next week's prize. Horse racing has finally started to produce merchandise! This must be the 21st century.

As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not yet joined in this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -9.

For terms and conditions click here.

Good luck!