*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Frank Hickey and Ruby Walsh have picked out their best bets ahead of racing at Wincanton on Saturday.
Speaking on the latest episode of Paddy Power’s From The Horse’s Mouth podcast, our deadly duo have each named a trio of selections but could see their hard work come to nothing due to adverse weather conditions.
(Wincanton is set to undergo an inspection at 8am on Saturday morning)
Frank Hickey
2.05pm – Protektorat
Messire Des Obeaux was impressive on his chasing debut in a handicap here last time. He’s obviously a Grade 1 winning hurdler, but has had his issues and was off for a long time.
PROTEKTORAT has been impressive on his two chase runs and should really be making it three from three here. He’s got a 3lb penalty but I just think Dan Skelton has a really nice bunch of novice chasers with Allmankind and Shan Blue and this one is pretty useful too. It’s a little bit of disappointing field but Protektorat should win.
2.35pm – Two For Gold
Most of these runners are entered at Kempton as well, but I’ve got TWO FOR GOLD down at this trip. Even though he’s won over 3m before, when they were going into the Ladbrokes Trophy Kim Bailey was worrying about his stamina. I’m not sure if it was stamina that beat him that day. He ran really well behind Huntsman Son at Wetherby over just shy of two-and-a-half miles previously. It’s unlikely to be on but if it is and he is in the field, I would be interested in him – definitely.
3.45pm – Gardefort
This is a pretty poor race but with the price I would side with GARDEFORT. He was off for close to two years before running a cracker at Ascot when second off a mark of 124 and he gets to run off the same mark here. He’s won at Wincanton twice and he’s won off a mark of 139. He’s 15lbs lower now. To be fair, that last win was nearly four years ago and he is a 12-year-old, but if he doesn’t bounce from Ascot he’s got a chance.
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Ruby Walsh
2.05pm – Protektorat
I thought PROTEKTORAT stayed really well at Cheltenham, as Harry Skelton sent him for home a long way out off the back of the third-last. He only beat Southfield Stone but he rode like stamina wasn’t an issue for him and I think he could be too good for Messire Des Obeaux.
I know there isn’t really an outside in a three-horse race, but you would be brave to back Lieutenant Rocco.
2.35pm – Capeland
This is too confusing for me, as I don’t know which meeting is first preference and second preference between here and Kempton. But because he’s one of the horses that is not doubly-entered, I’m going to go for CAPELAND.
3.45pm – Glajou
I think this is probably the weakest race on ITV. Harry Skelton rides Paul Nicholl’s runner GLAJOU as Harry Cobden is at Kempton and Bryony Frost is in Chepstow. This one was third in Taunton behind Master Work last time out over fences. He won before that at Southwell, so Paul Nicholls and Wincanton is usually a good recipe for success.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Wincanton bet summary – Saturday, January 9
Frank Hickey
2.05pm – Protektorat
2.35pm – Two For Gold
3.45pm – Gardefort
Ruby Walsh
2.05pm – Protektorat
2.35pm – Capeland
3.45pm – Glajou
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