Timeform’s Wetherby betting tips:
12:35 Mirabad
13:10 Colonel Harry
13:40 Paddy O’Mahler
14:15 Mount Tempest
14:50 Espoire De Romay
15:25 Tom Cody
15:57 Jasmine Bliss
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
12:35 Mirabad
Those with hurdling experience don’t set an exacting standard in this maiden hurdle, so it could be worth taking a chance on newcomer MIRABAD. He had some useful form on the Flat in France last year, finishing runner-up in a listed event at Fontainebleau in November, and has since been purchased for €65,000.
He has joined a yard that know the time of day and won’t need to be anything out of the ordinary to make a winning start in this sphere. Sao Carlos and Jaminoz set the standard on form and looks the obvious dangers.
13:10 Colonel Harry
A couple of notable absentees should now make this Grade 2 a relatively straightforward task for COLONEL HARRY. He was a useful hurdler last season and produced a career-best effort when making a winning debut over fences in a handicap at Chepstow in November, taking a keen hold but jumping soundly and easing near the finish.
He took another step up when runner-up in a Grade 1 at Sandown last time, taking time to find full stride once asked for his effort and still gaining at the line under a more patient ride. He sets a healthy standard and is hard to oppose now. It was a decent novice in which Trelawne was third at Cheltenham last month and he is second choice.
13:40 Paddy O’Mahler
This is an interesting handicap hurdle for the grade and one in which PADDY O’MAHLER is expected to come out on top. He shaped like a stayer in bumpers and has also left the same impression in three starts over hurdles this season, well supported but clearly unsuited by the drop back to two miles on his qualifying run at Newcastle just before Christmas.
This will be his first crack at three miles and he seems sure to relish the extra emphasis on stamina now handicapping from what could potentially turn out to be a lenient mark. Fellow handicap debutant Sprucefrontiers remains of interest, despite failing to build on his Rules debut promise when a well-held fourth at Chepstow.
14:15 Mount Tempest
MOUNT TEMPEST proved a different proposition fitted with first-time blinkers when opening his account over fences at the third attempt at Sandown last month. He at least matched the pick of his form over hurdles on that occasion, in command by the end of the back straight and merely dossing late on.
The handicapper has raised him 5lb for that win and he is now in a deeper race, but he may have even more to offer in this sphere and is fancied to follow up. Xcitations and the returning Gunsight Ridge head the dangers.
14:50 Espoire De Romay
A case can be made for a few of these so at the likely odds it is worth siding with ESPOIR DE ROMAY to build on his encouraging Newbury seventh (form working out well) and capitalise on a reduced mark. He has been competitive from higher marks in the past and he could be ready to strike.
Milldam rates a big threat on the back of his recent Ffos Las success though, while a solid case can also be made for Romeo Brown, Santos Blue and Benassi.
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15:25 Tom Cody
TOM CODY all of a sudden looks progressive, winning his last two starts over fences since being fitted with cheekpieces and, judged by his latest success over two and a half miles at this course, he is capable of completing a hat-trick.
The handicapper has raised him 8lb for that win, but he has form at this trip, and he is up to making his mark in this stronger race. Fellow last-time-out winner Val Dancer is an obvious player and Lord of Kerak’s claims can’t be ignored, either.
15:57 Jasmine Bliss
JASMINE BLISS joined a shrewd outfit after finishing second in an Irish point and she shaped with encouragement on her Rules debut at Ludlow in November. There should be plenty more to come from her and she can improve enough to open her account.
The Secret Pearl has achieved a bit more in form terms, so she’s regarded as a danger and Wrappedinrubies is an interesting Rules newcomer.
Wetherby betting tips:
12:35 Mirabad
13:10 Colonel Harry
13:40 Paddy O’Mahler
14:15 Mount Tempest
14:50 Espoire De Romay
15:25 Tom Cody
15:57 Jasmine Bliss
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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