Hi all,
I have a couple of fancies at Wincanton today and one from Meydan.
Wincanton
3:10 – A field of 14 have been declared for a competitive looking handicap chase and the bookies are going 11/2 the field.
The market is headed by Shanty Alley who bids for the hat trick after improved wins at Uttoxeter and Doncaster. He’s up 13lb for that success and in a deeper race but should go well again.
The Kings Writ was runner-up in this race last year and ran a cracker to finish runner-up in the Somerset National 14-days ago. The handicapper has nudged him up 5lb for that effort but he might well have won but for making a mistake at the last.
Final Nudge returned from a 12-month layoff to win at Market Rasen last February. The 12-year-old is having his first start since then and his first start for Fergal O’Brien. The 12-year-old isn’t handicapped out of this on his best back form and has run well here in the past.
Springfield Fox is arguably the most intriguing runner. The 8-year-old Had looked an exciting prospect for staying chases when making all to win at Chepstow & Exeter early last year. He was sent off just 8/1 for the Coral Welsh Grand National. He never got the front that day and never seemed to be travelling. Running as if something was amiss. Trainer Tom George has been struggling for winners of late which is a slight concern.
Eden De Houx has only had three runs over fences. He looks steadily progressive and was doing his best work at the finish when 4th of 13 at Exeter over 3m. The first-time blinkers replace the cheekpieces today and this is the first start since a wind-op. Won on heavy over hurdles so underfoot conditions shouldn’t inconvenience the 7-year-old.
Verdict: I’m going to give Springfield Fox a chance despite an underwhelming run in the Welsh Grand National last time. Final Nudge returns from almost 12 months off the track and is interesting on his first start for Fergal O’Brien. Shanty Alley is the form pick but this is a better race than last time.
1pt win – Springfield Fox – 8/1 @ Bet365
1pt win – Shanty Alley – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Meydan
5:25 – King Ragnar twice a winner when trained by Roger Varian. The 4-year-old shaped with a bit of encouragement on his first start for Mike De Kock when 7th of 14 here 14-days ago. He found things happening a bit to quickly over 5f but was finishing his race off nicely. That was his first run since September so he was entitled to need it and a return to 6f will be more in his favour. Each way claims if stall 1 isn’t an inconvenience.
1pt each way – King Ragnar – 16/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
Cheers
John