Advised Friday Night 25th January
Racecourse & Time
Cheltenham – 13:15
Advised Stake & Bet Type
1/2 Point Each Way
Name of Horse to Back
Azzerti
Current Odds:
9/2 generally, use BOG bookies
Compare odds at http://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing
Selection Reasoning:
Azzerti arrives here off the back of a game win at Ascot when staying on well over 2m1f on soft ground. His jumping has really come together on his past two starts and he is closely matched with the favourite Kildisart on their run at Ascot in November behind Whenyerreadyfreddie. This time Azzerti is 4lbs better off with Kildisart and should enjoy going out in trip again.
Azzerti’s record at Cheltenham is decent having placed twice over hurdles at this trip. His current rating of 137 might not be good enough to see him make the cut for the Close Brothers novice handicap on Day 1 of the Cheltenham festival so no doubt connections would like Azzerti to run well here and go up another few pounds to ensure his place in the above mentioned Cheltenham handicap novice chase.
Racecourse & Time
Cheltenham – 13:50
Advised Stake & Bet Type
1/2 Point Each Way
Name of Horse to Back
Siruh Du Lac
Current Odds:
9/2 William Hill 5 places else 9/2 PaddyPower 4 places, use BOG bookies
Compare odds at http://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing
Selection Reasoning:
Siruh Du Lac can give Lizzie Kelly another winner at a meeting her family loves to target. Agrapart has relished the usually heavy ground at Cheltenham in January but is only good to soft this season which is fine for Siruh Du Lac. He loves jumping fences which is a massive positive over the stiff Cheltenham fences. His record over fences reads 4 wins from 6 starts. Siruh Du Lac won nicely at Newbury over a similar trip in November. He steps up in grade but looks ready for it and is on a good mark of 134 with Lizzie claiming 3lbs. He loves to bowl along up front which can be a big plus around Cheltenham where jumping and rhythm are so important.
Racecourse & Time
Cheltenham – 15:35
Advised Stake & Bet Type
1/2 Point Each Way
Name of Horse to Back
Aux Ptit Soins
Current Odds:
6/1 PaddyPower 5 places else 13/2 Skybet & 6/1 Betfair Sportsbook both 4 places, use BOG bookies
Compare odds at http://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing
Selection Reasoning:
Aux Ptits Soins steps up in grade having destroyed a field of handicappers over course and distance on New Year’s Day. This will be a heck of a lot tougher but he has conditions to suit in receipt of 6lbs from Paisley Park who won the Long Walk Hurdle. Aux Petit Soins has had plenty of training issues but looks in a good place since switching stables to Dan Skelton from Paul Nicholls last season. He needs to pass this test by running well to book his place for the World Hurdle at the upcoming Cheltenham festival. Black Op is interesting reverting to hurdles following a try at novice chasing. It might take him this run to get his eye back in over hurdles before the festival.
Racecourse & Time
Doncaster – 15:15
Advised Stake & Bet Type
1/2 Point Each Way
Name of Horse to Back
Art Mauresque
Current Odds:
10/1 Betvictor 4 places else 10/1 Ladrokes, William Hill, Betfred & Totesport all 3 places, use BOG bookies
Compare odds at http://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing
Selection Reasoning:
A competitive renewal of the Skybet handicap chase with 11 runners declared. The favourite is the Ladrokes Trophy third placed Dingo Dollar. That race has worked out well with the runner up Elegant Escape going on to win the Welsh National. A slight concern is the good ground over three miles although Doncaster staff have been busy adding 40mm of water to ensure safe ground these past 10 days. Nevertheless, the ground will still ride quick for this time of year and at the prices we look away from the Alan King trained favourite Dingo Dollar.
Only two pounds separates the top four in this race so it could all come down to a slow jump or slight mistake. Art Mauresque jumped super at Ascot and looked sure to collect until to run out of steam close to the line. Doncaster is a flatter course and might enable him to see out this trip better. Harry Cobden takes the ride rather than a claiming jockey and under a patient ride he can pick them off later with Go Conquer and Dingo Dollar sure to race prominently.
**Next Update Sunday Morning 27th January ~10:00
As per usual you will be emailed as soon as new selections are updated online