Today’s best bets, by Chris Cook
The Charlie Hall has been reduced to seven runners at the overnight stage, so, as anticipated on here earlier in the week, each-way players are reduced to hoping for two places at a quarter the odds. From a betting perspective, it’s hardly ideal for one of the good early races of the core jumps season but it may be that there are more non-runners to come because the going at Wetherby is good, good to soft in places after little recent rain and we’ll find it today whether it might actually be riding even a little faster than that.
Anyway, the magnificent seven for the Charlie Hall (as things stand) are: Menorah, Silviniaco Conti, The Giant Bolster, Double Ross, Taquin Du Seuil, Medermit, Wayward Prince. Good luck to all those having a swing at the race. I shall spend a good part of this afternoon turning it over but it might be that I exhausted my luck in this race 20 years ago.
Honestly, how can that be 20 years ago? Surely it was just the other day?
My interest at Wetherby today is in Camachoice (1.40), who I thought might be unbackably short but in fact is 5-2. Yes there are many dangers but that is a good price about a horse who bolted up on his handicap hurdles debut last time and carries a 7lb penalty for it. Perhaps people are put off by the names Jamie Snowden and Thomas Garner but that would be a mistake.
Nick Williams has made a slow start to the season but I see a case for his Ulis De Vassy (3.35) at Uttoxeter. He’s had three runs since August without looking like winning but I think he’s been getting fitter and the extra half-mile should help. I think the pace of two-mile races has been rather taking him out of his comfort zone and we might get a better round of jumping from him today. He’s 6-1.
Eastern Dragon (4.15) is interesting at 8-1 for Newmarket’s closer and remains fairly treated with an extra 4lb for his recent win at Brighton. He doesn’t need it as soft as it was that day, though he certainly does need a bit of cut, so I hope it hasn’t dried out too much there. The word ‘soft’ has disappeared from the going description this morning, so I’ll be keeping an eye on the early races.
Tipping competition, day five
Our winners so far:
Monday
Trendsetter 13-2
Omid 13-2
Always Right 11-2
Tuesday
Trillerin Minella 7-1
Handiwork 9-2
Vaguely Spanish 7-1
Wednesday
Boherna Lady 10-1
Captain Knock 20-1
Card High 9-1
Thursday
Tearless 4-1
Royale Knight 11-4
Bertie Boru 15-2
And our leader is:
JimmyDeuce +18.50
... who edged into the lead with Tearless while Mai11 (+15.50) had a winnerless Thursday. Other scores: FinsburyPark +5.25, goofs +4.75, Ellandback +4.50, Hoover1403 +4.50, Crasivo +3.50.
For today’s thrilling climax, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.25 Wetherby, 3.45 Newmarket, 10.50 Santa Anita (Juvenile Fillies Turf).
GET THOSE TIPS IN EARLY! 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 (TODAY).
This week’s prize is a copy of One Jump Ahead 2014, the annual preview book by Mark Howard which has built up such a good reputation over the years. In addition to the usual detail on unexposed horses worth following, this year’s edition includes an exclusive interview with Rich Ricci, who looks like becoming a dominant owner in jump racing. If you don’t win, you can buy a copy here.
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 -12.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
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And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
