Tag: plumpton

Sussex National Day Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Plumpton used to be my local course so I always look forward to the Sussex National meeting which takes place on Sunday.

It has attracted a typically strong field including Reblis who did this column a favour a year ago when sluicing through the mud for Gary Moore. He is back attempting a repeat victory and is 2lbs lower in the weights than last season after some moderate efforts. It seems safe to assume that this race has been the target for him but I just wonder if it is going to be soft enough for the son of Assessor.

Venetia Williams runs two here in Tarraco and Gorgehous Lliege. The former has had a hike in the weights after winning easily last time but the punters have gone for Gorgehous Lliege in the early betting. I watched his run closely last time and he was almost carried out by a rival, losing all momentum and never managing to get back into the contest. He didn’t quite do enough for me that day and I’ll side with Tarraco who looks better value at around 10-1.

Nicky Henderson claimed the big prize on Saturday with L’Ami Serge at Sandown and he should be on target with Caracci Apache in the 1.50. This one got up late to beat stable companion Clean Sheet last time out and the runner-up has gone in since. He looked as though he may only be fourth approaching two out but stayed on very strongly and stamina can again win the day here. Kilgeel Heel is the obvious danger but may not have quite as much scope as the Henderson horse.

Pain Au Chocolat should get punters off to a winning start at 12.50 after a very promising first run for the Million In Mind Partnership. He didn’t do anything wrong but was just outpaced from the last and will have learned a lot from the experience. The useful flat performer Devilment is the main threat for John Ferguson.

The novice chase at 1.20 may only have four runners but three of them are clearly above average. Chris Pea Green has bolted up here on his last two starts and was a fair hurdler last season while Grumeti was placed in the Triumph Hurdle a couple of seasons back. I am going to oppose both with David Pipe’s Sail By The Sea who won a hurdle by 25 lengths and receives weight from his rivals.

Pain Au Chocolat 12.50 @Evens Betfair

Sail By The Sea 1.20 @5-2 Bet365

Carraci Apache 1.50 @13-8 Bet365

Tarraco @10-1 Betfair

Exeter Tuesday Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

We had a great weekend with Shotgun Paddy (9-1), Saphir Du Rheu (6-1) and Deputy Dan (11-4) all doing the business. All three look to have a great future, although it was slightly worrying to hear that Deputy Dan had sustained a nasty gash during the race at Warwick. Hopefully he will be fine and can run a big race in one of the novice events at the Cheltenham festival in March.

Shotgun Paddy confirmed his trainer’s belief that he needed a trip to bring out the best in him and the four-mile National Hunt Chase is a likely target for him. The Grand National has been touted as a long-term objective but I’d have thought that can wait for another season. His jumping can be low and flat which is not ideal for Aintree. Given his ability to handle heavy ground, I’d keep him in mind for the Welsh National in December.

The weather continues to play havoc with the fixture list and a soggy Exeter keeps the show on the road on Tuesday. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the stables in and out of form with Cheltenham creeping ever closer and Venetia Williams has her string firing on all cylinders. She won four races in row at Plumpton recently and bagged another double at the Sussex course on Monday.

She and Aidan Coleman also teamed up with a nice priced double at Warwick on Saturday and Dungeness turns out quickly under a 7lbs penalty. He was always travelling well at the front at the weekend and responded well when challenged to finish well on top at the line. Tomorrow’s race is over a further half mile and he must now shoulder top weight.

There are a couple of other horses to note in the race in Catcher Star and Residence And Spa. Both improved enormously last time out, Catcher Star overcoming a last flight blunder to beat subsequent winner Getabuzz and Residence And Spa staying on strongly over three miles at Taunton. Both will be hoping for proper gallop but I’m hoping Dungeness has further improvement in him.

The Veterans Handicap Chase looks like an ideal opportunity for Nick Gifford’s Tullamore Dew to win his first race since 2011. The chestnut was a creditable second in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby last time and comfortably holds Junior on that form. The rest of the field look moderate, although I’m a little wary of the Williams runner Ballyoliver with just 10st 4lb to carry.

Tullamore Dew at 9-2 Coral

Dungeness at 7-2 Bet365