Today’s best bets
Milton Bradley appears to be in good form just now and not just in the sense that he’s had five winners from his last nine runners. He was entertaining the press at Lingfield on Wednesday and is quoted in the Racing Post as saying: “It would be great to have good horses to train. I think I could train them with a bag of corn and a sheepdog.
“These top trainers are giving £50,000 to £100,000 for theirs and I wonder what chance I’ve ever got of winning a race with mine costing £4,000 or £5,000. To give £100,000 for one and then come here to race for £3,000 or £4,000 – I can’t see any point in it.”
Bradley, who is apparently still driving the horsebox from Chepstow himself at the age of 80, has had his dry spells in recent years but is flying along just now and his link-up with the jockey Franny Norton appears to have helped. The pair have a 25% record together this year, 12 wins from 48.
They combine again for the last race at Chelmsford, in which their Compton Prince (7.10) appeals at 11-4, although the 4-1 on Wednesday night would certainly have been preferable. Even with his penalty for Saturday’s win at Wolverhampton, he is below the mark from which he won at Lingfield early last year. He is well drawn near the inside for a prominent racer.
I shall give Bilbrook Blaze (2.50) another spin at Exeter, having fancied the Philip Hobbs runner for his chase debut at Sandown last time. Annoyingly, he fell at the first and some may think that 5-2 is short enough in light of that, but I still feel he should have plenty to offer over the larger obstacles. Richard Johnson takes over in the saddle.
At Towcester, you can get 4-1 about Glenwood Star (2.10) from the Rebecca Curtis yard that now appears to be over whatever the problem was for the previous month. He is an Irish points winner who can be excused for finishing tired on his hurdles reappearance and should certainly rate higher in time.
Tipping competition, day four
Our winners so far:
Monday
Bob Ford 8-1
Black Narcissus 9-4
Hernando Torres 6-1
Tuesday
Turtle Cask 3-1
Star Presenter 13-2
Frozen Force 10-1
Wednesday
Exmoor Mist 9-4
Hill Fort 7-1
Katkeau 6-1
And our leader is …
killkennyben +13.50
... despite a winnerless Wednesday. Fortunately for him, all others also seemed to find yesterday a bit tricky.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 2.10 Towcester, 2.50 Exeter, 3.10 Towcester.
This week’s prize, kindly offered by William Hill, is a £25 bet on the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, which they sponsor.
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.
Good luck!
For terms and conditions click here.
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
