Today’s best bets, by Chris Cook
After one of the great November weekends at Cheltenham, the question is: can jump racing possibly sustain this level of drama over the coming months. And the (sober) answer is, of course not, there will be a pretty serious lull in January at least, but the pace should be unrelenting until the King George, granted ordinary luck with the weather, and I’m especially thrilled to read this morning that Minella Rocco, a beast of untold promise, will make his chasing debut at Haydock on Friday.
For those of you able to take an early interest in today’s action, Violet Dancer (1.30) appeals at 7-2 in the second race at Plumpton. This should be a competitive novice chase, with Paul Nicholls and Alan King both fielding likely sorts.
But Violet Dancer, from the in-form Gary Moore yard, could give them a tough introduction to fences. He made all for a first win over larger obstacles at Towcester last month, keeping on stoutly to hold off Minella Present, who ran so well at Cheltenham on Friday.
There were mistakes in that round but Violet Dancer should be better here and similar tactics will provide a significant test for the newcomers. A Betfair Hurdle winner, he has enough class to be winning a decent contest like this.
Later, The Geegeez Geegee (3.05) should be sharper for a reappearance run and has the help of one of the better amateurs on show. He’s 9-2.
In Wolverhampton’s opener, Lady President (1.55) is of interest at 8-1, having been a shade unlucky in running when third at big odds for her nursery debut a fortnight ago. Luke Morris rides for the first time.
Tipping competition - a new week
Congratulations to Toptrapper, who sealed a runaway win last week by picking Josies Orders (11-4) in Friday’s cross-country race. As usual, we’ll be in touch by email.
This week’s prize is a copy of At The Festival (Racing To Glory At Cheltenham in March) by the Racing Post’s excellent Spotlight writer Richard Austen. A history of some of the great Festival moments from 1981 to 1991, this new book has drawn the following praise from Racing UK’s Lydia Hislop, who has written for this parish in the past: “He writes with rare skill, combining poetry and precision. This book has the power to delight racing fans and inform others of the richness of experience they are missing.” If you don’t win, you can buy a copy here.
To kick things off, we’d like your selections, please, for these races: 2.00 Plumpton, 2.15 Leicester, 2.35 Plumpton.
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.
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.
