With rain still falling at Ascot and
Haydock as I write, it looks odds against that both cards will survive to a
conclusion, but if Ascot can complete their card, then the best bet may come in
the last race at 15:40, where Tom George’s Majala
makes plenty of appeal. Favourite Ulck de Lin is respected after finally
getting it together at Newbury last time, but the form of that contest has
taken a couple of knocks since, and he looks skinny enough at around 6/4. On
the other hand, Majala also looked a
much-improved performer when winning a maiden chase at Taunton last month, when
the race was over as a contest a long way home. His jumping was particularly
pleasing there, and he looks well up to this rise in class. He strikes as being
overpriced at current odds, and is sure to give punters a decent run for their
money. Majala is also declared at Haydock, where he would also appeal, albeit at shorter odds, and it will be interesting to see if George gambles on the optimism of Kirkland Tellwright, or re-routes to Ascot where the later race at least gives him some more time to play with.
The Long Walk Hurdle (14:00) has been
a Big Buck’s benefit in recent times, and this year’s renewal has an odd look
to it without that stellar performer. On the other hand, it does make more
appeal from a betting point of view, and several of these can be given a
chance. Smad Place needs to be
forgiven a poor run in the West Yorkshire Hurdle, but he looks a standout
otherwise, and 2 runs at this venue last winter were particularly noteworthy,
winning on his belated return to action before an excellent effort under a big
weight behind Bourne in February. He was an excellent third in the World Hurdle,
and clearly wasn’t himself at Wetherby. It’s hoped that a “thorough MOT” has
cured whatever ailed him then, and for all Alan King is no more than cautiously
optimistic, the bottom line is that he
seems likely to be better suited to this test than most of his rivals, and his
form claims are outstanding.
Recommended
Bets:
Back Majala in the 15:40 Ascot @ [9.0] (NAP)
Back Smad Place in the 14:00 Ascot
@ [3.15] (NB)
No comments:
Post a Comment