Horse Racing Betting – Take Tajneed to Stage a Repeat

Value is very much a matter of personal opinion. For example, if the form book suggested a 7/1 chance in a five-horse race had solid claims, you’d probably risk a bet – but what about a field of 20 seasoned handicappers? That’s my dilemma because I can’t see past Tajneed in Saturday’s William Hill Great St Wilfred at Ripon.

Available at 7/1 with most major layers, the seven-year-old really does seem to have everything in his favour, not least the heavy rain that’s due to fall on North Yorkshire over the 48 hours prior to race time. Tajneed does his best work on ground with plenty of give and appears to have the plum draw in stall 20, high numbers are invariably favoured on the straight course at Ripon when the going is soft. What’s more he boasts a perfect record from three previous runs over C&D, including in this race two years ago, and hails from a stable in cracking form at present. Forget his last run at York where he lost all chance when exiting the stalls with a blindfold still in place. He’s weighted to reverse previous Hamilton running with Lowdown and Adrian Nicholls, on board for two of his three C&D wins, replaces apprentice Billy Cray for this valuable handicap – so is the 7/1 still value in a 20-runner race?

I must admit, had the ground been on the fast side of good, that I would have given Hitchens (a general 12/1) a big chance. David Barron does well with his sprinters and he has allowed the five-year-old plenty of time to find his form this year. He had no chance from a poor draw in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood last month but connections can’t complain about stall 19 here. Advanced (20-1 in most places) can’t be ignored either as the seven-year-old finished third in the race last year off a similar mark and has been performing consistently in the big handicaps again this summer. Stablemate Tiddliwinks, 9/1 with bet365, Paddy Power and William Hill, also has a solid recent record but the handicapper may have got to grips with Rileyskeepingfaith (a general 8/1) and Novellen Lad (22/1 with William Hill). Tajneed shouldn’t be missed.