The 2:50pm from Leicester on Thursday is a Class 3 challenge of a handicap hurdle. This is a 2m affair and there is a clear horse to beat in the fixture as well. Lightly Squeeze is set to go to the start as the overwhelming odds-on favourite.
Leicester 14:50 Race Odds*
Lightly Squeeze 4/6
Miah Grace 4/1
Present From Dubai 11/2
Demon D’Aunou 11/1
Et Moi Alors 17/2
Top Gamble 16/1
Darkest Day 16/1
Farmer Boy 28/1
Serosevksy 40/1
Fukuto 50/1
* (betting odds taken from Coral on January 8th, 2019 at 7:49 pm)
Can Lightly Squeeze live up to favouritism?
Six year old Lightly Squeeze is bringing some wonderful form to Leicester on Thursday. He has won his last three races now, the most recent of which was from the position of 8/11 favourite at Plumpton over the 2m distance. That was a 14 length victory that he landed as well. There is a penalty for success of course as Lightly Squeeze has to go up 7lb for this challenge. But with three wins under his belt this season, he is the one to beat as an early 4/6 favourite* (betting odds taken from Coral on January 8th, 2019 at 7:49 pm)..
Miah Grace the main challenger to favourite
Five year old Miah Grace, trained by Jedd O’Keefe certainly has the form behind her to mount some kind of challenge. She delivered a win in her last hurdle outing at Hexham (her second win there this season), just back in December. That was her second success at hurdles over the 2m distance. It has been five runs from her in her career and she hasn’t failed to place yet. She took a second place in a Class 2 affair at Wetherby in November and it will be a fascinating one to follow on her handicap hurdle debut.
Can Present From Dubai get in the frame?
There was a very good run from Present Form Dubai on his return in December last year. He took out Sastruga by three lengths in a fixture at Uttoxeter over the 2m distance from a mark of 10/1. That continued some progressive form from him as well and has placed in three of his last four races. That win at Uttoxeter was his first trip since late January. He is going up 8lb in this one, but did show very well in December and presents nicely at 11/2 odds* (betting odds taken from Coral on January 8th, 2019 at 7:49 pm).
Is Top Gamble a decent outside chance?
Irish challenger Top Gamble is an interesting proposition out at 16/1 odds* (betting odds taken from Coral on January 8th, 2019 at 7:49 pm). He ran very well at Haydock over the distance in December, claiming a third place finish on what was his latest outing. Granted it has been over three years since he last claimed a victory, but he did look in good shape at the back end of last year. He’s not the greatest of jumpers, but that was a marked improvement.
Predictions
Naturally with the form that he has been blistering through, Lightly Squeeze is the clear stand out talent in this Leicester field. The only slightly question mark over his challenge will be a significant jump in weight.
But then closest challengers Miah Grace and Present From Dubai are going to be facing the same situation, so it could all balance itself out. Those two do make interesting propositions for the fixture, with Top Gamble an each way consideration.
Coral Fail To Finish Leicester Offer
Coral’s Fail To Finish Offer will be running on all races at Leicester on Thursday, January 8th. If your horse fails to finish, for whatever reason, the bookmaker will give you a free bet back up to the value of £10. Place a £1+ win or each-way bet on any of the races at today’s nominated meeting. If your horse Fails To Finish the race, get your stake back as a Free Bet up to £10
Key Terms & Conditions
To claim this Sports Promotion, place a real money £/€1 win or each way single bet on any of the selected races shown above, between 6pm UK time the day before the selected race meeting up until the respective race start time, and if your horse fails to finish the race* we’ll credit up to £10 of your total stake as a free bet (“Qualifying Bet”).
This Sports Promotion is only redeemable against your first real money qualifying bet in the applicable races. If multiple selections are added to bet slip the offer will count towards the lowest bet receipt number (ie the first selection added to the slip).
Where you fully OR partially “Cash Out” your Qualifying Bet prior to it being settled, no free horse racing bets will be credited to your account as part of this Sports Promotion.
Any free horse racing bets that you are entitled to under this Sports Promotion will be credited to your Account within 24 hours of your Qualifying Bet being settled.
Maximum one free bet per customer per selected race.
Any free horse racing bet must be used within 7 days of being credited to your account, otherwise it will expire. Free bets cannot be redeemed for cash at any time.
18+ Please Gamble Responsibly. See Coral for full T&Cs.
