You can tell that Cheltenham is just around the corner by the title of the Read Davy Russell’s Exclusive Blog starsportsbet.co.uk Handicap Hurdle.
No doubt one of Ireland’s top jump jockeys will be giving a few hints ahead of next week but he’s not riding at Wincanton today.
Table of Contents
The 16.10 is the most competitive race on today’s card and each-way bettors have a choice of either getting one quarter odds a place for the first three or one fifth the odds a place for the first four, as long as all 12 runners stand their ground.
Horse Racing Betting at 888sport
Read Davy Russell’s Exclusive Blog starsportsbet.co.uk Handicap Hurdle Current Best Odds
Darsi In The Park 15/4
Smackwater Jack 6/1
Earth Moor and Duc De Beauchene 7/1
Midnight Midge and Collooney 15/2
Cilaos Glace 9/1
Hygrove Percy 10/1
Demon Fou and Lungarno Palace 14/1
Uno Mas 25/1
Kuiper Belt 33/1
(Odds correct at 22.00 March 4)
Darsi’s Uttoxeter win receives a boost
It appeared that Darsi In The Park had beaten little when successful at Uttoxeter but the second won at Exeter earlier this week to give the form a boost.
Whether that is enough to justify best odds of 15/4 with Paddy Power is debatable but Jonjo O’Neill’s charge has had just three runs under Rules and is certain to appreciate the step up in distance so he will have his supporters.
Jack’s backers hoping for better luck this time
Smackwater Jack was badly impeded and fell at the first when strongly fancied at Sedgefield last week.
He’s only ever won a maiden but was second in a Class 3 at Aintree in the autumn before taking on stronger opposition.
Providing the top weight and conditional jockey Lewis Stones are none their worse for their experience at the Durham track, it’s hard to envisage a strong showing at Wincanton but could do with some help from the handicap – he can be backed at 6/1 with Bet365.
Coleman booking a positive for Colloney
Colloney wore the second colours of JP McManus on his return to action at Wincanton on Boxing Day but finished ahead of the supposed first choice.
He is certain to have benefited from that outing and wears the first colours today but does have a bit to find with another of today’s rivals. He will attract market support at 15/2 with Bet365 with Aidan Coleman doing the steering but there looks to be better value alternatives.
Fou could be Demon bet
Demon Fou was the one that finished ahead of Colloney at Wincanton over Christmas.
He’s already won at the track this season, though the handicapper did take exception to his victory in October by raising him 10lb.
He was run well enough off his new rating but not really looked like winning. However, that is not enough to put off each-way backers at a general 14/1.
Too soon to write off the Duc
DUC DE BEAUCHENE was seven lengths behind Demon Fou on Boxing Day and a length behind Colloney.
On the face of it, the seven-year-old has it all to do to turn that form on its head but he clearly wasn’t at his best held up off the pace that day and the David Pipe stable is in much better form now.
He’d earlier beaten Demon Fou almost 10 lengths under a more positive ride at Cheltenham so a return to forcing tactics could be on the cards.He was entered in a couple of races at Cheltenham next week and is a best 7/1 with Bet365.
Best Of The Rest
Midnight Midge has won both of his races this season and has been successful twice around Wincanton.
He may need his first run since November but can be backed at 15/2.
Hygrove Percy didn’t handle very heavy ground at Chepstow over Christmas but his form this season has been otherwise consistent.
Cheekpieces are applied at Wincanton but he is still 9lb higher than hen successful at Fontwell in October and, a best 10/1, he may find at least a couple too good again.
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