Today’s best bets, by Chris Cook
I’m mildly concerned to note that Scruffy McGuffy (1.40) is a drifter for his handicap debut in Ayr’s opening race. Ann Duffield’s two-year-old is now available at 7-1, having been 4s when betting began last night.
Perhaps that’s indicative of a problem that will dish his chance today but it looks a good price in light of how well Duffield’s juveniles have been running this year, winning at a 17% strike-rate (23% in nurseries) for a healthy profit. Scruffy McGuffy ran on nicely last time at Catterick, his third maiden appearance in 18 days, and looks well drawn towards the stands’ side.
In a later handicap, you can get 5-1 about the progressive Edgar Balthazar (5.00), a three-year-old with Keith Dalgleish. He carries a penalty for last week’s win over this course and distance, which was just his second attempt at seven furlongs.
As a side note, those who appreciate such things might like to know that Scruffy McGuffy is named after a teacher at Grange Hill, while Edgar Balthazar was the villainous butler in The Aristocats.
Fans of jump racing will want to keep an eye out for the hurdles debut of Wishfull Dreaming, a brother to the familiar 12-year-old Wishfull Thinking, in the 3.05pm race at Worcester. I fancy him but I’d stop short of backing him at 4-6.
A more attractive proposition might be 6-1 about King Fontaine (3.30) at Exeter. He won off a mark of 127 in his pomp but is a stone lower than that here. He won by a wide margin at Plumpton a fortnight ago on just his third start since joining Lawney Hill and will be very dangerous if that was a return to form rather than a flash in the pan.
Tipping competition, day four
Our winners so far:
Monday
Medicine Hat 14-1
Ready Token 9-4
Sweet P 5-2
Tuesday
Agent Gibbs 7-2
Sir Jack Layden 25-1
Spring Loaded 7-2
Wednesday
Viren’s Army 5-2
Boherna Lady 2-1
Lancelot Du Lac 7-4
And our leader is. . .
TL127 +18.25
... who still has a handy lead, despite a winnerless Wednesday.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.30 Exeter, 5.00 Ayr, 7.40 Chelmsford.
This week, we’re giving you a second chance to win a copy of the Racing & Football Outlook Jumps Guide 2015-16, currently at the printers and expected in plenty of time for the Charlie Hall. It’s packed with its usual features, stats and expert views and can be purchased here if you don’t happen to win a copy.
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 joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -9.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
