Hi all,
Another ante-post betting article for the big races of the winter jumps season. No additions to my Cheltenham Festival betting portfolio on this occasion but I do have one for Saturday at Sandown and one for the Peterborough Chase on Sunday.
Uncertainty about the weather/going at Aintree and Sandown on Saturday means I’m playing cautious on the ante post front.
Saturday December 9th
Sandown
3:35 – Betfair London National Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 3m 5f
Classic Ben looked a handicap chaser on the upgrade when winning at the track in February. He only beat Ami Debois by a neck, but his win was worth more than the final margin of victory suggests as he idled a bit on the run- in.
The 6-year-old was sent off the 100/30 favourite on his seasonal return at Bangor last month and shaped like the run was needed when finishing 4th of 8. Yet to race beyond 3m 2f shapes like he will appreciate the step up in distance here. Granted he appreciates soft ground, but he’s won on good to soft over hurdles and we know he goes well at the track. Will be tough to beat here off just 2lb higher than for his last win.
1pt win – Classic Ben – 6/1 @ Coral
Sunday December 10th
Huntingdon
2:00 – Fitzdares Peterborough Chase (Grade 2) – 2m 4f
It’s probably likely that this race will cut up before post time so It’s worth backing Top Notch in anticipation that does. The consistent 8-year-old doesn’t always get the credit he deserves but he’s’ won 50% of his starts. He showed his well-being when winning over hurdles on his seasonal debut at Aintree last month.
This race has been the target for Top Notch, and he won it 2017, when it was switched to Taunton. As he showed at Aintree, he doesn’t like to be beaten. What better horse could you want in a finish but one who likes to win.
1pt win – Top Notch – 4/1 @ William Hill
These two selections aren’t going to provide the level of profit De Rasher Counter did last Saturday but if one wins, we have banked a tidy profit.
Cheers
John