The news that Coneygree is out of the Christmas programme and possibly the rest of the season as well has inevitably dominated the thoughts of punters and bookmakers alike this morning but there is a strong card at Ludlow this afternoon – the track’s most valuable meeting of the season, in fact, with £100,000 in the prize fund – while O’Faolains Boy, the winner of the 2014 RSA Chase, makes his second start of the campaign, at Newbury.
Goodtoknow (2.40) is a live contender for the most competitive race on the card at Ludlow. Kerry Lee has hit the ground running since taking over the licence at her stable from her father Richard, and Goodtoknow did well to run Tinker Time, something of a handicap blot, to seven lengths on his return to action at this track two weeks ago.
Sir Valentino (1.30) is another worth close attention at Ludlow as he bids to follow up a one-and-three-quarter length success here last time out. Most of today’s opponents were behind him that day but only Jayo Time, who was unlucky to unseat his jockey when hindered at the first fence, looks likely to turn around the form.
O’Faolains Boy is the biggest name on the card at Newbury but he has raced only twice since beating Smad Place at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival and was pulled up on his comeback from 19 months out with an injury at Ascot last month.
As a result, he is third-favourite of four runners today and difficult to recommend with any confidence. Arpege D’Alene (next best 2.25) makes more appeal in the circumstances to improve from a promising chasing debut, while Exmoor Mist (nap 1.50), who got off the mark over fences at Leicester last time out, will be hard to beat in the card’s two-mile handicap chase.
Tipping competition, day three
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
And our leader is …
killkennyben +16.50
... who had a perfect Tuesday. Jakesnake1 (+13.75) and fatdeano (+12.50) pursue.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 1.50 Newbury, 2.05 Ludlow, 2.40 Ludlow.
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 -6.
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.
