10.30am Walsh hopes Djakadam can raise cheers in Hennessy
Tony Paley: Ruby Walsh believes his mount Djakadam has a “favourite’s chance” of creating history by completing the first victory for a five-year-old in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.
The Willie Mullins-trained runner has been well backed in the ante-post betting for the race and though he was overlooked by Walsh in favour of Felix Yonger on his last outing in the JLT Novice Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, he was going well when coming down four fences from home.
“We’re hoping that Djakadam is well handicapped but he hasn’t done anything to deserve a higher mark than 142,” Walsh told his Paddy Power blog. “You’re guessing that if he hadn’t fallen in the JLT last March he may have gone very close.
“From where I was sitting [just in behind on Felix Yonger] he seemed to be travelling well enough when he tipped up four out. It’s a catch-22 situation. If he had the experience he wouldn’t have the mark he’s on now. I’m hopeful he has the class to overcome that.
“He has always shaped like a three-miler and is in good form at home. It’s a big ask for Djakadam - but I think he has a favourite’s chance. Others can decide the price.”
Friday’s best bets, by Tony Paley
Ned Stark did the business for us yesterday on the opening day of the Hennessy meeting but for Friday’s best bet it may pay to forsake the jumps for the all-weather and oppose what looks a weak favourite in Godolphin’s Majeyda in the Conditions Stakes at Wolverhampton tonight. She ran sixth in the 1,000 Guineas but has been off since a below-par display at Royal Ascot and the one to be with is Badr Al Badoor (5.55), who has shown comparable form and ran well when second to Magic City at Kempton last time out.
Tipping competition, day five
Our winners so far:
Monday
Tenor Nivernais 5-1
Gand Gigolo 12-1
Theinval 4-1
Tuesday
Orchard Road 5-1
Sportsreport 3-1
Lucky Mark 8-1
Wednesday
Back To Bracka 4-1
Volio Vincente 11-2
Livia’s Dream 14-1
Thursday
Ned Stark 5-2
L’Ami Serge 9-4
Ballyegan 11-8
And our leader is:
goofs +22
... after a winless Thursday. Three short-priced winners yesterday did little for anyone, with most people fishing in deeper water.
For today’s thrilling climax, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 2.30 Doncaster, 2.40 Newbury, 2.55 Musselburgh.
This week’s prize is a copy of the Racing Post Annual 2015, now in its fourth year and running to 208 colour pages packed with stories from this racing year and some of terrific photos of the greatest moments. Interviewees include Willie Mullins and Tony McCoy. If you don’t win, you can buy it 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.
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!
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