11.30am Mullins has Mares’ Hurdle in mind for Annie
Tony Paley: Willie Mullins has revealed he is leaning towards running Annie Power in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Mullins’ classy hurdler is also in contention for the Champion Hurdle and the World Hurdle, in which she finished second to More Of That last season.
But the handler told the Irish Times: “Annie is fine and back riding out, and the Mares’ [hurdle] looks the most likely race for her.”
Annie Power had a leg problem which forced her withdrawal from the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in November and she has not been seen on a racecourse since last May, when she won the the Grade One Mares’ Champion Hurdle at Punchestown by seven lengths.
Today’s best bets, by Chris Cook
We’ve had a good winter, so far, in terms of how few jumps meetings have been abandoned, to the point where some have been saying that this is a contributing factor to the small average field size. But the cold weather is starting to bite this week, Newcastle having had to cancel today’s card because of frost, with temperatures not expected to exceed 3C by noon.
Wincanton’s card tomorrow hinges on an 8am inspection, while Chepstow will hold an inspection at the same time in the hope of being able to race on Friday. Waterlogging is the threat in both cases and Chepstow looks particularly at risk.
But Newbury’s interesting card today goes ahead. The ground will, of course, be very testing indeed.
The Harwell Trophy was not my friend last year, as some of you may possibly recall, but I shall take a chance this time on Russe Blanc (2.50) at 7-1 or so. From the Richard Lee yard which is having a good season and has a fine record of producing doughty sloggers, he impressed when staying on to score at Exeter in November and comes into this test fresher than most.
The nap is Bosstime (5.10), around the same price for a mile handicap at Kempton tonight. He’s looking for a four-timer, blinkers having done wonders for him.
The market seems to prefer Franco’s Secret, who dead-heated with him at Lingfield last time, but I think this track suits Bosstime better and the race could work out well for him.
Tipping competition, day three
Our winners so far:
Monday
Dawson City 5-2
Coursing 13-2
Archipeligo 5-2
Tuesday
Vision Du Coeur 5-2
Scarborough 11-8
Shinooki 3-1
And our leader is. . .
slackdad38 +12.50
. . . .although, wouldn’t you know it, he can’t use the prize. Moidadem (+8.50) is chasing him hard.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 2.50 Newbury, 3.25 Newbury, 5.10 Kempton.
This week’s prize is a pair of Premier tickets to Sandown on Saturday 31 January, when the feature race is a Grade One, the Scilly Isles Novice Chase. If you don’t win, you can buy tickets 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 -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.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
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And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
