The Cheltenham countdown is well and truly on but it’s not all eyes on The Fez for me.
For I’ve seen something far sooner that’s caught my attention and I’ll tell you here and now – it’s my best bet of weekend.
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That particular horse is racing at Uttoxeter in the Mares’ Handicap at 12.48. And her name? It’s Daphne Du Clos, trained by Nicky Henderson.
I’ve spent a fair time looking at this horse and all the omens look good. Let me take you through them.
She is a top-class bumper horse, who won impressively at Newbury by beating Western Ryder is a top-class bumper performer.
Back to Daphne Du Clos, I’ll be honest with you and say her hurdles career hasn’t gone to plan so far – she’s been disappointing on a couple of occasions.
But when you look back through the fields it’s not a major cause for concern. On her second start she was fourth behind Fiddlerontheroof and her form looks a lot better right now than it did at the time.
Noel Fehily and Daphne Du Clos in the 2m novices hurdle
Huntingdon 25.1.19 Pic: Edward Whitaker
She goes handicapping here off a mark of 117 which looks very lenient on her best form. What’s more, it doesn’t look the strongest race either – so I think she’ll prove very difficult to beat.
As I write, Daphne Du Clos is an 11/10 shot with us at Paddy Power and I reckon that represents a really astute bet – even if you’re not traditionally a favourite backer.
*All odds correct at time of publication
Hit the front with PaddyPower.com