Tuesday’s best bets, by Greg Wood
Six runners is, on the face of it, a disappointing turnout for the most valuable race on the card at Ffos Las, but there are times when half a dozen horses is enough to make a contest and this an example. All six go to post with a chance of sorts - several bookmakers quote the entire field at single-figure odds - while at the best prices on offer, it is betting to a little under 1% per runner this morning.
Pharmaceutical (3.30) can be backed at 7-4 and the form of his last two starts, when third and then second at Haydock and Epsom respectively, looks a cut above the best on offer elsewhere. This will be just the seventh start of his career, having made his debut in January, and he is the one runner in the field with obvious potential for improvement.
The sprint handicap an hour later is also attractive from a punter’s point of view with the scratching of Verus Delicia bringing the field down to eight runners and a book that is 6.5% over-round at best prices. Azergam will probably start favourite after a win at Bath last time out, but that was over five furlongs rather than today’s six and Mad Endeavour (4.30) may be the value here at 7-2. Stuart Kittow’s gelding has produced solid and consistent form on his last three starts and remains on a fair mark, 4lb higher than when successful on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton last month.
Shipyard (4.15) is interesting at Musselburgh on his first start for Mick Appleby. He had some fair form in Ireland for Andrew Oliver and finished third at The Curragh last time out in a handicap worth nearly £10,000 to the winner. That was off a mark of 79 and he runs from 77 here, for a stable with a proven record for improving its new recruits.
Juncart (7.45) and Duke Street (9.20) will be difficult to beat on the evening card at Chelmsford City, while Millkwood (8.05) has a better chance that his early price suggests in the seven-furlong handicap at Wetherby. The race at Thirsk earlier this month in which he finished a close third was strong form - the second, seventh and eighth horses home have all won since - and he runs from just a 2lb higher mark here.
Tipping competition, day two
Our winners so far:
Monday
Get Knotted 9-1
Cruchain 3-1
Slip Sliding Away 6-1
And our leader is ...
Lindsey6677 +14
... who had both Get Knotted and Slip Sliding Away on Day One. Harrytheactor and paragoncup share second place on +8, thanks to Cruchain and Slip Sliding Away.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.30 Ffos Las, 4.45 Musselburgh, 7.45 Chelmsford.
This week’s prize is a pair of Premier enclosure tickets to Sandown for Thursday 6 August, when an evening of racing will be followed by live music from top indie rockers (it says here) Kaiser Chiefs! More details are here for anyone who wants to buy tickets, having not won this week. Good luck!
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 -3.
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.
