13:20 Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase
Adrien du Pont looks a poor value favourite here, and this habitual weak finisher will surely find others too strong on the long run from the final fence. The six-year-old ran well when fourth to Traffic Fluide at Ascot last month, but didn’t threaten, and he’s not certain to go on from that.
His chase figures last season read quite well at first glance, but he faced a total of twenty rivals in six starts, and those runs were often not at all convincing.
So he’s vulnerable in a biggish field, has been known to break blood vessels and often finds less than looks likely.
Given how well he travels, I’d be inclined to take him on in running.
Recommended: Lay Adrien du Pont in running @ 3.0 or shorter (max liability 6pts)
13:50 Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle
I may be in a bit of a minority, but I’ve yet to be convinced by Champ, and he has essentially been beating up inferior rivals to date, with his only forays into better class races ending in defeat, most recently at the hands of Vinndication at Ascot despite getting first run.
He’s never done anything on the clock to suggest he’s top class, and although he may do so granted a strong pace to run at, I’m inclined to take the view that he is style over substance until proven wrong.
Recommended: Lay Champ @ 4.5 or shorter (max liability 7pts)
On this week’s Racing Podcast Rory joined host Tom Stanley and Brendan Powell to preview Saturday’s features from Newbury and Newcastle. Listen below and search for ‘Matchbook Betting Podcast’ on your preferred podcasting app to subscribe.
