Miah Grace who has a couple of wins under her belt this season heads up this field at Leicester on Wednesday. She is the one entrant in the field who won on their last outing, so naturally, that is a big nod towards form.
There are threats in the mix however, from previous course and distance winners. This is a 1m 7f Class 3 Handicap Hurdle with eight runners heading to the start.
Leicester 15:15 Race Odds*
Miah Grace 9/4
Ardmayle 7/2
Swaffham Bulbeck 5/1
Top Gamble 7/1
Rootless Tree 8/1
Gregarious 8/1
Applesandpierres 9/1
Nelson’s Touch 16/1
* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on January 28th, 2020 at 23:09)
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Table of Contents
Miah Grace the one to beat?
It was a win at Hexham, her second there this season, that Miah Grace took on her last trip. That was in December over a 2m trip in a Mares Novices Hurdle. She carries form having landed at least a place finish in each of her last five outings.
They were runs at either Wetherby or Hexham, so this is new territory for her. But Miah Grace looks to have good consistency behind her. She is extremely comfortable at the 2m mark, so on her switch to handicap company, she looks as if she can handle herself.
She will be at top weight for the race alongside Top Gamble. Miah Grace is the 9/4 favourite* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on January 28th, 2020 at 23:09)
3 C&D winners in attendance
There are three course and distance winners lining up in this one. Of them, Ardmayle is the one the bookies are worried about the most. He is 7/2 second-favourite* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on January 28th, 2020 at 23:09). He was the fifth of 10 in a chase at Newbury last month in his last trip. Ardmayle hasn’t shown any form since returning from a break in November.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Rootless Tree pulled up in his last run which was at Wincanton earlier this month. That was a disappointment for connections after having won from 12/1 at Leicester at the start of December at Class 3. He was peaking well to get that victory and isn’t without appeal at 8/1 odds* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on January 28th, 2020 at 23:09).
The other course and distance winner is Applesandpierres who was fifth on his last trip. The 12-year-old struggled on the Taunton trip. Just like Rootless Tree, however, he had won his previous race a Class 3 trip at Leicester. But his overall form really hints at that success coming totally out of the blue from a 12/1 spot.
Swaffham Bulbeck to make a positive return?
Swaffham Bulbeck has not been seen since July after a heavy workload over the first half of the year. He claimed a win at Fakenham in mid-March for trainer Olly Murphy. In his first four races of last year, he did no worse than a place. But his 8th of 9 at Staford in July was probably the wrong trip at the wrong time. He could come back fresh and is an intriguing entry at 5/1* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on January 28th, 2020 at 23:09).
The Rest of the Pack
Top Gamble has three falls and 14th of 19 inside his last five runs. Even the most optimistic of punters will look past this 3rd place from a field of five at Haydock in December in his last race. The company here is likely going to be far too much.
Nelson’s Touch finished towards the back of the pack at Lingfield over 2m in December and his form has been dipping. Gregarious is interesting as he was a beaten favourite at Lingfield in November Chase last year. That was from 13/8 in just a field of six.
Predictions & Tips
The only thing against Miah Grace is the handling of the handicap as she is joint top-weight. But she looks a very steady progressive horse and should be in the frame.
As a contender, it is Swaffham Bulbeck who has a lot of appeal in coming back from a six-month break. He was showing some solid form before his misfired at Stratford but could be sharper for the rest.
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